Questions to Ask at an Interview

It is inevitable.  At the end of the interview an employer will likely ask "do you have any questions?"  What many candidates don't realize is that this is a strategic part of the interview which helps to differentiate candidates. 

Do you have any questions?

This question, while often asked at the end of an interview, also reflects your preparation. You want to be able to show the employer that you have done some pre-thinking about the job and your interest in it. You may want to bring in a notepad with some questions you had thought of prior to the interview. You can refer to those questions (some may have been answered already) or ask others that have arisen as a result of the interview itself. Often if you have no questions, interviewers interpret that as either a lack of preparation, interest, or both.

Often times this last question is the biggest stumper of all. Questions? Me? Yikes. But don't hit mute and make for the door just yet. Always come armed with a few more questions, whether they're about the business itself or about your specific role within it. Doing your homework on the company will make a big difference, says Ken Ramberg, co-founder of Jobtrak.com. Perhaps a new competitor has recently burst on the scene. Inquire about the company's plans to go head-to-head. Or, says Stybel, ask about how the company is meeting technological challenges or expanding. Just don't fall silent at this moment. "The questions you ask are just as important as the ones they ask you,'' and they demonstrate your level of sophistication, Stybel said. Ask the interviewer why she works there or to describe a recent good hire. You can also highlight any qualifications that haven't been discussed yet and your enthusiasm. Use your voice and make yourself memorable.