The right question to ask an interviewer
Job interviews usually end with time to ask questions. You know the drill. When there’s 5 minutes left your interviewer will ask “so, do you have any questions for me?”
Be thoughtful with your questions. The interview itself matters most. But interviewers will note if you ask good, bad, or no questions. As weird or wrong as it sounds, your questions are another opportunity to influence how the interviewer judges you.
And, of course, it’s an opportunity for you to get more info to help you decide whether to take an offer or not.
Bad questions
There are some questions you shouldn’t ask. Stay away from questions that:
Ask your interviewer to speak negatively about the company - “what do you like most and least about the company?”
These kinds of questions probably seem thoughtful. They’re not. Your interviewer (probably) isn’t going to give you their real thoughts on what they don’t like about the company.You can find out elsewhere - “how are the benefits/perks/office?”
Questions about child care, health care, commute, etc, are important. Save them for the recruitier or hiring manager. Also, are you really going to make a decision based on the snack situation at the office?Are about what the company will do for you - “do you have opportunities for advancement?”, “how does the company develop you?”
These will get you one person’s individual perspective. If they’re important to you, they may be better for the hiring manager. Also, as you get more senior, developing and advancing will become more and more your responsibility.
Unfortunately, I’ve asked every single one of these myself while being interviewed 😅.
They’re usually not deal breakers, but aren’t the best use of time.
Good questions
Good questions, on the other hand, do two things for you: get useful information to help make a decision, and communicate that you’re competent and thoughtful.
There's one question that best does this
:What are the biggest challenges facing your company/organization/group/team?
I like this one because:
People can answer honestly. Talking openly about challenges is easier than talking about what a company does poorly. Even if it’s just a different framing.
You get a sense for the problems you’ll need to help solve, the challenges you’ll face, and what’s important to the company.
Asking a good question isn’t going to be THE thing gets you a job. But it can help.
What questions do you ask (and have been asked) at the end of interviews? Which ones do you like, and which ones are terrible? Let’s discuss in the comments.
Better be some damn good snacks!
Well, at least that I’ve found for my situation and level of experience, and the companies/positions I’ve interviewed for…