How to Reply When Asked, “Do You Have Any Questions?” by: Bruce Hurwitz
THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THIS ARTICLE ARE SOLELY THOSE OF THE AUTHOR.
During a job interview, if a candidate is not asked if they have any questions, that means that the prospective employer/interviewer does not care about them, probably does care about their employees, and the candidate definitely does not want to work for them. They do not deserve a “thank-you” email but rather a “withdrawing my candidacy” email.
On the other hand, if a candidate has no questions, that’s a sure sign that they have no real interest in the position. Saying, “No, you have already answered them,” is a meaningless attempt at a compliment that fools no one.
The vast majority of employers will give candidates a chance to ask questions. It’s the best way to judge their researching skills, ability to prioritize, and, given that some areas may be sensitive, their diplomatic skills. Here are some (you can’t expect me to give away all my secrets!) of the questions my clients ask interviewers:
Why did you want to interview me? No matter how bad the interview is going, unless they say, “I don’t remember!” this questions forces positivity. They have to say good things about the candidate. It gets them thinking that way the candidate wants them to think. Remember, candidate question time, so to speak, marks the end of the interview. And you always want to end on a positive note.
I compared the job description with the LinkedIn profile of the person who last held the position. There are differences, specifically… Why? Now the candidate will be able to judge the development or evolution of the position.
Who succeeds here? It is amazing how difficult this question is for many interviewers to answer. But the answer is crucial. The candidate must know if they are a cultural fit or not. The answer to this question will tell them.
How do you measure success for this position? What are the metrics? Now the candidate will be able to judge if the employer’s expectations are reasonable or if the position is doomed to failure.
What would you like to see that the previous/present holder of the position did/does continued and what would you like to see done differently? Employers don’t like gossips. Asking, “Why did the person who last had the position leave?” is, frankly, none of the candidate’s business. What is their business is to learn what the boss likes and wants, and dislikes and doesn’t want. This question provides the answers.
If I get the position, how will I be able to make your life easier? This is THE question. And it must be asked of every interviewer. The candidate must record the answers and then, when sending individual thank-you emails, make note of the recipient’s answer to the question. This proves that the candidate was listening, understood what was important for the interviewer, and can accomplish the stated goal.
How to Reply When Asked, “Do You Have Any Questions?” | Employment Edification
