Sitcoms have taught me many things over the years, most notably the powers of both unagi and salmon skin rolls, however one of the most valuable lessons has been to never answer a question with another question. So against all my better pop culture judgement, the recruiting nerd in me wants to say that your next job interview is the perfect time to blow off that great advice

You know the drill… Your interviewer asks about your background and education, your motivation and vision, and you’re prepped and loaded for bear. But are you ready for that final, inevitable, one last thing: “So, do you have any questions for me?”

There’s a million resources, blog posts, and books that can give you great guidance on this age old interview conundrum (like here, here, here, or here), but when I asked Catch Talent’s Director of Recruiting, the talented Ashley Schroeder, she came back with some sage advice. I mean, she’s hired HUNDREDS of talented professionals over the years, so I thought I’d share her thoughts with you…

Research, Research, and More Research

Take some time to do your homework on the company you’re interviewing with, and come up with relevant, position-specific questions to ask. If there are blog posts, recent press releases, or articles about the organization – reference them! Look into their customers, competition, and leadership team. This content will give you an opportunity to ask intelligent questions that highlight the fact that you’re interested in the position because you have Done. Your. Research!

Let the Fluff Fly

We’re all people at the end of the day, so it’s OK to ask what might be considered “fluff questions.” Things like, “why do you like working here?” and “What has your career path been with the company?” They aren’t research based, but they will draw your interviewer into a personal moment, and they’ll let their guard down. Not only will they walk away having shared a real moment with you, but you will likely learn something insightful about the company.

Your Future at the Company

It will always leave a positive impression on an interviewer when you ask forward looking questions about the role and company. What does a career path look like for this position? Where do you see your organization in the next few years? How do you see this department evolving over time? How do you envision this position making an impact on the growth of this department? This highlights your long-term interest in the opportunity and your genuine investment in joining the organization. I mean, you’re not just looking for the next best thing, are you?

So head into that interview ready to answer questions AND ask them! Do your homework, get personal, and look to the horizon. After all, your collective future is why you’re there in the first place, so get after it… and good luck!

 

Ready to Try It Out?

Practice makes perfect, so let our recruiting team set you up with an interview for one of these roles: