9 Do’s and Don’ts of Asking Questions in a Job Interview

The path from unemployment to employment has several stages and, for most, the first stage after the application is the job interview. The primary function of the interview is for the hiring manager to interact with candidates to determine if their qualifications and experience match the job requirements, as well as how they might fit in or be added to company culture and values.

However, the job interview has a secondary but equally important function for job seekers: the opportunity to interview the interviewer. The questions that job seekers choose to ask in the interview are critically important for two reasons:

1. They demonstrate candidate readiness for the interview and interest in the position and the company.
2. They balance the scales in favor of candidates, allowing them to determine whether the position and the company are really suitable for them.

As a job seeker, choosing the right interview questions should be part of your interview preparation. While there are many articles and blogs listing questions candidates should ask in interviews, choosing the right ones and tailoring them to the job, the employer and your individual needs will help you stand out from the competition. Let’s look at nine best practices for asking questions in job interviews.

1. Find out about the duties and expectations of the position

Hiring managers love curious minds. They want to know that you’re interested in the role beyond what you’ve been told and are eager to learn more. Prepare questions about what the role will entail and what is expected of you.

2. Ask about learning and growth opportunities

Employers don’t want to hire people who are happy doing the same job for the rest of their career. They want to hire employees who want to constantly learn, grow and evolve. Show the interviewer that this is a priority by asking them about training, continuing education and mentorship opportunities.

3. Find out about the culture and values ​​of the company

Asking a generic question about a company’s culture is predictable, but tailoring the question based on elements of the culture the company is known for or that interest shows you know the employer brand. Each company has values ​​rooted in its culture and essential for its employees. By showing interest in them and showing how they match your values, you show that you are interested in more than just a salary.

4. Ask about success

Finding out how the interviewer defines success, what makes others successful in the company, and what will define success in the role you are interviewing for demonstrates your interest in achieving the same.

5. Ask follow-up questions

While preparing questions in advance is essential for a successful job interview, it’s also a good idea to ask questions based on topics you’ve just discussed with the hiring manager. Returning to these topics later in the interview shows that you were astute enough to take note of specific details of the conversation and curious enough to want to know more.

6. Don’t ask for anything easy to find

Asking overly simplistic questions about the company that can be answered with a quick Google search shows that you weren’t willing to do any pre-research or thoughtful preparation for your questions. The same goes for questions about the role that can be answered by reading the job description.

7. Don’t Ask About Salary or Vacations

It’s never a good idea to convey a “what can YOU do for ME” attitude during a job interview, and drawing attention to salary, benefits, or time off does just that. . Although you make the final decision on whether or not to accept an offer, stay focused on the position, the company, and how you can contribute to both until the interviewer brings up those topics or after an offer be done.

8. Don’t ask for anything predictable

If a question is general enough to be asked by any candidate during a job interview at any company, it’s probably not a good question. Take the time to prepare your questions to make sure they are specific to your situation; they make the interviewer think and show that you have done your homework.

9. Don’t ask for anything controversial or negative

If the company or one of its executives has recently made the news for the wrong reasons, ignore it during the job interview. While this can be a valid reason for rejecting a job offer, asking the interviewer about scandalous information or controversial topics won’t work in your favor.

How do you answer the inevitable closing question from a hiring manager: “Do you have any questions for me?” can make or break your chances of landing a job offer. Plus, it’s an often underused opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and interest in the position and the company, gain an edge over your competition, and figure out if this is where you want or want to be. no spend the next few years of your career. By preparing tailored questions in advance around topics that employers use as hiring determinants, you can control the focus of the interview and, therefore, the direction of your career.