Why You Need to Ask Questions During an Interview

@Kathleen thanks for that. So true that a picture speaks a thousand words. I would have felt the same way as you if I walked through a work area where work was piled to the ceiling and the workers all looked shell-shocked. The interviewer might be the greatest but seeing the actual work area can definitely tell you a lot about what you might be walking into.

At one interview, the Office Mgr. took me to the area where I would be working. I got an immediate feeling of dejection, that this would not be the job for me. The staff had folders all over the floor around them, and stacks more piled. I asked the prospective three co-workers, what their favorite part of the job was. They looked stunned and couldn't even come up with a response. I pretty much knew right then, this would not be the setting for me. The job spelled drudgery! So asking to see the area you would work in, could be a good idea, if not offered.

Thanks for the comments. I, too, agree that it's best to ask the questions as you go along. If they are questions that you had prepared in advance, check them off your list as you go. This way you can view your list quickly and find out if there are any questions that you missed. The interviewer will take note that you have prepared questions in advance. And, if you come to the end of the interview and your questions are all answered - you can ask what the next steps are and also ask if you may contact the interviewer should more questions come to mind once you depart. Leaves the door to that two-way communication wide open. Once you leave - don't forget that hand-written thank you note. If there was something during the interview that you feel would make you stand out, mention it in the thank you note as it will readily bring you back to the interviewer's mind. The bottom line here is that every interview is going to be different and there is not a one-size fits all when it comes to interviews.

I've always found it equally effective to be engaged in the interview process and ask questions as the interview unfolds, rather than holding the questions until the end. Asking a series of questions at the conclusion of the interview always feels rehearsed and off-topic. When you ask as things come along, you can still get the same level of engagement and help put the interviewer a little more at their ease.

Asking bluntly about your chances of getting the job is not a very good idea unless you're really confident and the interviewer has already showed some kind of special interest in you during the interview. So if you do ask it, it needs to come naturally out of the kind of conversation you've been having up until that point. But then again, can you trust yourself to know if the question is going to be well-received? Ultimately, it's hit or miss.

I believe that just as in product sales the communication is only effective if duplex, gone are the days of one way sales as in product or self.

I've always found it strange that so many employers misread not asking questions as a sign of laziness, disinterest or lack of preparation. For me, it has always been the exact opposite. If you're deeply interested and regularly keep up to date on what's happening in a company, you often know more about the company than the interviewer may realize. As an introvert who's very observative and thoughtful, I tend to think deeply about everything an interviewer says and does and ask questions as we go along. By the end of the interview, I genuinely feel well informed. I also find it more useful to pay attention to body language and speech cues when discussing different aspects of the company. There are frequently times when interviewers clearly do not love the company, but of course, they will never say so out loud.

Many of my fellow introvert friends tell me they feel the same way about interviewing. They feel forced to rehearse questions, whether the know the answers or not, simply to appear more engaged. These are people who are hardworking and dedicated, but like me, interviewing feels unnecessarily hard because of the rehearsed interactions. Companies need to recognize that there are different types of people and they will continually overlook great talent by expecting everyone to follow a narrow pattern of interactions.

I agree with @William about asking questions only the people in front of you can answer, and want to expand on that a little. I think it's really important not to ask the kinds of questions that could easily have been answered by doing your research beforehand. You want, in your questions, to prove that you're present and engaged with the current moment, not just reciting things you've prepared. You also want them to know that you have given their company its due consideration, which means, at the very least, reading their website and retaining a bit of information from it.

I don’t think it’s a good idea to ask questions at the reception when you arrive for an interview. The waiting period is best spent on keeping yourself calm and composed. Asking questions while you wait may cause your mind to wander and it takes the focus away from the actual interview.

As somebody who's been an interviewer quite a bit, I wouldn't have a problem with the "least favorite aspect" question as long as it was phrased a little better. Perhaps you could say "What aspect of the job do you personally find most challenging?" I agree with Vivian that the way it's worded makes it sound a little more combative than it should. It's alright to be bold, but you never want to put an interviewer on the defensive.

Wow, I've never thought to ask the interviewer directly about my chances of getting the position. I might find this awkward to do, but I can see how it could be viewed in a positive light by the interviewer because it shows that you are confident and really are interested in getting the position. The Interviewer might also disclose some information like how many other applicants they are interviewing or the amount of time it will take them to make a decision.

Thanks for the comments. So true that an interview goes both ways. As job seekers we sometimes forget that just because they may want to hire us, we may not want to work for that company after the interview. So we always need to make sure that we ask the pertinent questions for our particular situation to ensure that we have the information we need to make the right decision for both us and the company. Doesn't do anyone any good to accept a job offer knowing that it's not what they want and that the company may not give us what we are looking for - but we accept it because we are desperate. @Vivian you could ask the interviewer about his position, about what he likes about the company and maybe why he stays. These companies know that you are interviewing them so they probably wouldn't be surprised with the "least favorite aspect" question. Will they be honest? Maybe but you will be able to tell. Watch the interviewers face and body language should you ask the question. If it changes from what it has been up to that point, he may not be telling you the truth. You would have to sort of read between the lines. The bottom line is that you need to ask the questions that will help you to make an informed decision regarding the position as well as the company.

I agree with Shannon Philpott: Asking a question like "What's your least favorite aspect of this company?" seems like a risky proposition to me. While some interviewers might welcome the opportunity to discuss the parts of the organization most in need of improvement, I could see some human resource managers or potential bosses interpreting questions like that one as a sign of a poor or combative attitude. Is there a more subtle, nuanced, or diplomatic way to ask about the more challenging aspects of a workplace?

I think asking questions during an interview isn't just a perfunctory obligation. I think we should never forget that an interview works both ways. The company is checking out potential employees, but as a job candidate you're also checking out the company. For example, if you don't want to work 90 hours a week and that's common for the position you're interviewing for, then this is information you want to know upfront. Be polite and tactful of course when you ask questions, but definitely try to get the information you need to make a decision.

Asking questions definitely shows interest in the job, and I certainly feel you need to ask the right kinds of questions. Come up with questions ahead of time, but make sure they are items that only the people in front of you can answer. One way to mine questions is to talk to people in your network who happen to work for the firm. Insider information commonly wins the day.

While I agree with the importance of asking questions at the conclusion of an interview, I don't think it is a good idea to ask what a panel of interviewers like least about their job. This type of questioning could indicate that you are seeking out drama or issues with the company right away. It could also imply that you like to stir up controversy on the job. As a former hiring manager, I was always on the lookout to eliminate people who would disrupt the culture of the company or dynamics with drama.

@Abbey it's okay if the questions have already come up and have been answered during the interview. You can simply respond with no I don't think I have any questions at this time but would it be okay to get in touch with you should questions come to my mind after I leave. That allows that two-way communication to remain open. Also, make sure that you send a thank you note after the interview. Include some little tidbit from your interview so that it allows him to recall you and the interview. You can include a question in the thank you note also. And yes you can go back to a previous question and ask for further information.

I understand the importance of asking questions during an interview. However, what if all the questions you planned to ask have already been addressed? I know many times throughout the interview, the subjects of interest come up in different forms. Is it acceptable to go back to a previous topic and ask an interviewer to expand or give further detail?