“Have you got any questions for us?” asks the person opposite. You’ve just got through 30-40 minutes of an interview for the job you’d love. It’s gone pretty well; it’s always hard to tell exactly; but you know you made no major faux pas.
So before you jump in feet first to answer this seemingly innocuous inquiry, pause for a moment. Count to 10. Asking questions at an interview is the best way to determine whether the job and the organisation are right for you. It’s also a good way to show you’ve done your homework but they must be the right questions.
Here are six questions not to ask.
1. Never ask anything that is readily available on the organisation’s website or through a quick Google search. This includes asking what the company does! It might sound ridiculous but some people do walk into an interview not knowing this.
2. The interview is not the time to talk about what doesn’t quite suit you about the job description, hours, flexibility and salary.
3. Related to that, if they haven’t volunteered something about salary, don’t ask. It will come later if they wish to follow-up.
4. Remember they’re interviewing you. It’s not for you to ask about their background or credentials.
5. Don’t ask how quickly you can expect a promotion. ‘Excuse me? I’m interviewing you for this job and you already want mine?’ is what the interviewer will think.
6. Don’t ask about company policies – such as monitoring internet usage, travel policy or Christmas bonus time.
The question about questions isn’t a trick but you also shouldn’t worry if you can’t think of any. They might have all been answered through the interview, especially if you’re dealing with an executive search firm or a recruitment company.
If you don’t have any questions, simply say “I think you’ve answered all my questions, thank you”. That shows the interviewer you did have some, but also compliments them on the conduct of the interview because your questions have been answered.
__small.png)
