During a Job interview, how many questions...is too many questions?

Dear Stephen,

I was recently called by a recruiter about a job opportunity. I was not outlooking, but rather intrigued, and so I decided I would take the interview. Because I am employed, I had a lot of questions about the job, and asked them during the interview. I walked away thinking it went well and was unexpectedly excited about the opportunity. However, a few days later, I got a call from the headhunter explaining that the company I interviewed with had decided to pass on my candidacy. I pushed the recruiters as to why. Eventually, she told me in so many words that I had asked too many questions during the interview and had spooked the hiring manager. They feared that I would be a tedious and high maintenance employee because I asked for clarification about what the job would entail. Are they joking?

I have never heard of such an indignant situation and it seems outlandish that I would be penalized simply for trying to get a handle on what I would be getting myself into with a new job.  Is this common in your experience? This job is clearly not in the cards for me, but the experience of interviewing has inspired me to begin looking around and checking out my options again.  How many questions are too many questions? Is this something I really need to think about or is it unique to this company?

Regards,

20 Questions

Dear 20,

I hate to burst your bubble, but the fact is that there is such a thing as too many questions on an interview. Rather, I should qualify that. There is such a thing as too many questions on a 1st interview.

Let me start by saying that when and if an outside recruiter (headhunter) is involved, he or she should answer as many of your questions as possible about the job and guide you as to what to ask. You need to ask those same questions again to the company you will be working for. It is important that you hear for yourself what the perspective employer is really expecting from their mouth.

There is no doubt that it is imperative for you to have all your questions answered before making a move. However, part of your interview strategy should be knowing when to ask those questions and at what part of the interview process. It is also important to be sure that your questions are not repetitious to questions you already asked. Be sure when you ask a question that you are listening to the answer. You do not want to annoy a potential employer by asking the same question in three different ways. My advice is simple: if you go through more than three interviews and still have unanswered questions lingering about a new job, it is simply not the right job for you. Pass!

I want to pick up on something you mentioned in your question for everyone to understand: When you are not "out looking" for a new job but are called for an interview, I often find that a candidate's judgment is clouded when walking in. Their ego is often too big coming into the room and it turns the interviewer off. Whether you are looking for a new job or gainfully employed, an interviewer wants to feel like the boss of the situation and, if you want the job, it is incumbent on you to show deference in order to be considered seriously.  Like it or not, you are the subordinate in this situation. Understand that you are still on an interview for a new job and should not be posturing with a potential new boss. Smart bosses pick up on this right way. There is always a time and place for this sort of attitude but an interview, especially a first interview, is not that place.

Questions can fall in a couple of different categories. Personally, I think it is critical that a candidate ask about money up front and on the first interview. Yes, I said first interview. I know conventional wisdom tells you otherwise, but my advice is best for today's job market and economy. I have seen countless hiring processes fall apart at the last minute because a candidate assumed that they would be fairly compensated by their potential new job and learned too late that the numbers were not to their liking. If you do not ask up front, employers will assume that "income" is not a priority for you and will try to take advantage.  Asking about money early on is the new norm and employers expect it. It is absolutely the responsibility of the candidate to take steps to learn what they are getting into financially and making clear what their expectations are in actual dollars.

So, yes, too many questions too soon can be a turn off. Be patient and utilize the recruiter whenever possible, if there is a recruiter involved. If not, just follow my advice. And finally, if you get past a 3rd interview and still have unanswered questions, then guess what? That job is not right for you!

Stephen