Questions are not an option
Some candidates think that when the interviewer says, “Now, do you have any questions?” it’s a polite indication that the interview is about over and they are about to wrap up. They couldn’t be more mistaken. The question really signals the start of the main course. Everything that came before was just appetizer.
Recruiters are unanimous on this point: Job seekers who fail to ask at least a few intelligent questions are destined to remain job seekers. If you don’t ask questions, you leave these impressions:
- You think the job is unimportant or trivial.
- You’re uncomfortable asserting yourself.
- You’re not intelligent.
- You’re easily intimidated.
- You’re bored or boring.
Not one of these impressions works in your favor. Of course, not any old questions will do. If you don’t think about this in advance, you run the risk of missing a critical opportunity by not asking intelligent questions or by planting your foot in your mouth by asking stupid ones. Good questions show the interviewer that you are interested in the job. Great questions tell the interviewer that you are a force to be reckoned with.