Do you have any questions?

This month marks my 7th year in recruitment, I started back in September 2011 in London and here I am today working for a great company across one of the most interesting regions worldwide. During busy weeks I conduct up to 30 interviews either face to face or by phone, it’s very exciting to have that interaction with new people and get to know them better, understand their motivations and listen to their stories. I learned a lot from all the interviews I conducted and I would like to dedicate this article to the “interview closing” and more specifically the questioning part which in my opinion is underused and sometimes ignored by candidates. At the end of a job interview we always ask candidates if they have any questions, Anyone who interviewed would have been in this situation at the closing stage of the meeting.

So why do we ask candidates this question?

An interview is a great opportunity to find out more about the role, the company, the team and many other things that will determine your decision and your professional future. So why say “No, I think I have all the information I needed”? when you are given the chance to shine and differentiate yourself from the other candidates…Why say “No I already have the JD and details of the role”? when you have the hiring team available for you and have the opportunity to ask them what is required beyond the generic job description.

Remember that the interview is a two way conversation so if the other side is asking questions and collecting information you are expected to do the same. So if you go for an interview and have nothing to ask then it might be a good idea to question yourself if: 1) Are you sure the information you have is enough? 2) Did you collect all the information that will help you decide on whether you fit the role/company or not?....If the answer is NO then you might still have lots to ask.

So what are the benefits of asking questions at an interview? And what does it show about you as a candidate?

1)It shows that you are interested in the role : Inquiring more information during an interview shows your real interest in the position either you applied for it or you’ve been approached about it. Someone who is uninterested in the job would not ask questions, they would just come in, interview and leave. Asking questions will show the other party that you have considered the role in various aspects, thought about the details and picture yourself in the position. 

2)It’s like a first date: Would you go on a date and not ask any questions? Definitely not… interviewing and dating have their similarities as for both we want to make a good first impression, make sure to say the right things and most importantly get invited to the next meeting. 

A great quote from The Muse CEO says: "One classic mistake is when people give the impression that they just want A job, not THE job or THE company in particular…..From a hiring manager's perspective, you're looking for someone who is excited about THE role or THE company. It's kind of like dating. No one wants to date someone who just wants a girlfriend or boyfriend. People want to be with people who are interested in them."  https://www.businessinsider.de/the-one-way-interviewing-for-a-job-is-just-like-dating-2016-9?r=US&IR=T

So just make sure your interest and motivations for the role and the company are crystal clear because if you remain neutral or even silent there won’t be a second “date”.

3)It shows that you are interested in the company: Do your research, learn about the company before you meet its people, don’t just look at the surface for example having a look at the website is a good start but don’t stop there, the deeper you dig the more your interest for the company will shine during the interview.

Ask questions about the company, their strategy, their challenges within your field, vision, understand better what is waiting for you if you were to join them. Find out what you’re getting into because this will not only differentiate you from other candidates but also give you an idea of what type of challenges you will face and if you are actually up for it?

4)It shows you are curious: At my current company being curious is very important, you can see it in our advertisement, dedicated hashtags and also on our career website. It is not just an “advertisement” it’s really part of our brand and our DNA. We live and breathe curiosity and this is why we are innovative, imaginative and always looking out for curious minds to join us. Here is what a CEO told the New York Times about how he hires: “I look for an incredibly high degree of curiosity — people who just relentlessly want to learn new things and put themselves in new situations — and a high degree of empathy. If people are curious and empathetic, they can learn just about anything.” https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/11/business/corner-office-matthew-prince-cloudflare.html 

To summarize the article with a nice quote from Forbes: “…companies value innovation and creativity, but few actually pursue it through the people they choose to hire. Truly curious individuals are often regarded as the “rising stars” of a company. They go above and beyond, and they are valued for that. However, it’s time to change our thinking. We should not view curious individuals as the exception, but as the standard. You don’t have to settle for one rising star — you can have a whole team of them.” https://www.forbes.com/sites/85broads/2014/02/06/how-to-hire-curious-people-and-keep-curiosity-alive/#4817f02994e3

If you are currently interviewing, these are some useful links to help you find “good questions” to ask, please avoid "canned" questions, choose the ones that suit you better and adapt them to the role, the company you are interviewing for.

Good luck everyone!