Interview: Don’t Ask Stupid Questions
Yes, as a child you were lied too…
Told that there are no BAD questions...
Truth is... there most definitely is.
Recently a lot of my clients have been asking about what to ask during an interview.
I’ve written and spoken about this before…
So, today I am going to write MORE general, and talk more about what NOT to do.
Let’s start with the 50/50 principle.
This is something I created a while back when prepping professionals for interviews.
It means that you should spend 50% of your time uncovering company culture and 50% of time finding out more about your future role.
When talking about culture I am NOT talking about demographics…
NO, what we are talking about is what’s it like to work at company XYZ?
Are people happy, overworked, exhausted, challenged, manipulated, pressured?
Do people like working there? Does the hiring manager like working there?
What’s the turnover? Why so high or low?
An important truth about interviewing is if you spend more time interviewing the interviewer than the other way around – you will not only get a job offer BUT know what you are in for.
Now, when asking about the job and role itself this is where you have to be very careful.
I hear a lot of STUPID questions when preparing clients for interviews.
Here is my advice on what to stay away from
- Asking about pay or benefits...at some point, you will get an offer (if you don’t ask about this)… Delay the gratification of needing to know or it will cost you
- Asking questions that the company website listed in the job description - It shows a lack of resourcefulness or preparedness… One more note do not ask a basic question that you could find the answer too BUT maybe ask them to go more in-depth about something in the JD.
- Asking simple generic questions - The first questions that come to mind – don’t ask those… everyone before you has and the manager is OVER it… be unique
When asking about your new job… be creative and innovative.
That is why it is absolutely essential to prepare questions the night before.
Make a list of 25 questions and pick the ones you find to be the most unique and thought-provoking.
Morning of the interview go through them again and be sure those are the ones you are going to run with.
One final note…
When asking these questions and taking control of the interview heed this advice.
Remember it is about what you say AND how you say it.
You can ask anything with the right tonality and preprogramming…
Cheers, and be well!