14
Ask the Expert: Any Questions?
By: Amy Rossi
Q: I know they are going to ask me if I have any questions in the interview, but I don't know what to ask. Help! Please!
A: When you are at the interview, remember that this is an opportunity for you as well as the company. They have a chance to get to know you and what you would bring to the table, and you
get a chance to get to know them, along with the roles and responsibilities you would have as an employee. It might seem tempting to say that you don’t have any questions—to present yourself as 100% agreeable and on board with what they’ve offered. However, if you don’t ask questions, that may not be the impression that they get.
Instead of coming off as enthusiastic and agreeable, a failure to ask questions could reflect the impression that you're not really interested in the company. Before you begin jotting down every question you can think of, remember that too many general questions could also indicate that you haven't done your research, or weren't paying attention during the interview.
As much as this may feel like a test, it’s not meant to be a panic-inducing “gotcha” moment. A Q&A at the end of an interview is an opportunity to further your existing conversation, and to fill in any areas that might be unclear before you begin thinking about a possible job offer.
Keeping the idea of conversation in mind, take a breath and prepare a few specific questions that you need to
have answers for before you make your final decision.
In the event that you are in need of a few ideas, keep these questions in mind:
1. First, it’s only 2-5 questions. You can literally begin with, “Tell me a little about your career with the company?” and expand with a follow-up: “What has been the biggest positive change since you started working here, and where do you still see room for improvement?”
2. You can always ask about specifics when it comes to the job decision timeline: “When do you expect to make a decision? When or how can I follow up with you after the interview is over?”