Be Heard

It’s often hard to ask meaningful questions to an interviewer. I’m super guilty of this. But, when you think about it, this is your only opportunity to evaluate the employer as much as they’re evaluating you. They need to be a good fit for you. You should like them. You should be excited about working there.

Moreover, asking follow up questions at the end of an interview is a good way to show you’re interested. Plus, I believe, subconsciously, it frames you as an employee already. Odds are you’re being interviewed by someone you’d work with day-to-day, and part of that working relationship consists of questions and conversation. Substantive back-and-forth breaks you out of the “interview” mode and into the “working” mode of conversation.

I’ve discussed this with the guy who’s hired me (twice). He said this:

It seems like the last few interviews I’ve had with people, none of them asked many questions. Not only does that help you gain important knowledge about the company, benefits, culture, etc; it provides you with fodder to keep the conversation going. The longer you can remain in the interview and keep your interviewers engaged, the better chance you have of your interviewers remembering you and having a positive opinion of you

- Killian Grant

If you can’t think of anything off the top of your head in response to the interview, prep a few questions and keep them chambered to avoid appearing slack-jawed and wide-eyed.

Here’s a Few Examples