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One of the last questions the interviewer will ask you is “Do you have any questions?” If you reply with a simple “No” you are telling the interviewer that you aren’t really interested in the job or the company.
Lets consider two candidates are in the interview in the sales department.
The first candidate is asking “Tell me about your company’s bonus system for the employees. How many vacation days are available per year?” Taking into account that this is the first interview, to ask about the bonus system and vacation period is too early. This approach can lead the interviewer to think you are too selfish and don’t have much interest in the work.
The second candidate:” No, I think you have told everything I would like to know. I am sure I will have more questions if I am hired”.
This approach is too flaccid and also doesn’t show interest in the work.
It is important to ask questions which will give you more information about your position and the nature of the company. It will demonstrate your interest, initiative and strategic understanding of the position and the company.
A proper answer should be as follows:”Yes, I have few questions. From your words I could make a conclusion that the company has a problem of retaining excising customers, hasn’t it? And if it is really like that what methods were used to solve this problem? Will the new employees work with the old customers or will be engaged in attracting the new ones”.
This kind of answer will demonstrate your interest in the company activities, its problems and their solution methods and this will highlight your suitability for the job.
Prepare in Advance
You must decide what kind of information about the company activities will be useful for you. Make a list of questions in advance:
- about the company, its achievements, problems and their solution methods
- about the department activities of the applied position
- about the company business sphere situation
An interview is a two way selection technique – it’s just as important that you are able to make an informed decision about the company and the vacant position as it is for the company about you.
All you have to do is keep the conversation going. At its best, an interview is really just a conversation.
