5 Best Ways to Answer “Do You Have Any Questions?” During an interview
I had made it through the entire interview, and this one important question was left: “Do you have any questions for us? I had prepared well for the interview, and my rapport with the interviewer was amazing. When this question was posed to me, I didn’t have any, so I convinced myself that the best way to answer was to say “no” because I had all the details about the company and the role.
The interviewer was surprised because this was the least expected. One week later, I received a regret message. I had not been considered for the role, but what could have been the problem, yet all the common questions and answers were on my fingertips?
Many questions without answers ran through my mind. That was neither the first time nor the second time because most of my interviews had never gotten me a job. I decided to book one on one interview coaching session,where I had an opportunity to practice a real interview and understand how to respond to tricky questions. I also discovered the areas in which I had been making mistakes, and I rectified them. I now have an upcoming interview, and I know I am going to ace it.
So, what is the best way to answer the question?
- Always Have Questions
If you are not sure of the question to ask, ask yourself, if you were to start this job tomorrow, what would you need to know? Responding “no” shows that you are not interested in the position, and this might put off the employer.
For instance, when I answered “I don’t have any question” the interviewer felt that I was not interested in the role, and this reduced my chances of proceeding to the next stage of the interview.
- Ask Relevant Questions
It is important to have ready questions relevant to the role, the company and how you will contribute to the company.
Questions about the role are a great opportunity to learn more about what you’ll do, for example, ‘if I was hired in this role, what would I be expected to achieve in the first three months? Are there any other important aspects of the job that we haven’t covered? Or what is the most important indicator of success in this role?’
Question about the company: What is the company’s goal for the upcoming year? Questions about yourself, what are your concerns about my candidacy?
- Have Several Responses
When preparing for the interview, have a list of responses for you to tackle questions that comes in any angle. It is advisable to have at least three questions to ask and avoid questions that focus on what the company can do for you.
- Ask Open-Ended Questions
Ask the questions that make the interviewer explain in detail and avoid those that elicit simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers.
This will ensure that you get answers to the questions you are looking for and keep the conversation going.
- Avoid Touchy Topics
It is important to avoid questions that are not related to the job or the company. For example, asking about the interviewer’s personal life, salary, vacation time, and benefits.
Some of these questions should be reserved till you are formally offered the job because it may send the message of your personal benefits and not how you can contribute to the company.
Final Thoughts
The mission during the interview is to determine if you are interested in the job and make a good impression, and one of the best ways is to have a well-thought-out response when asked a question. S
So, if you’re someone who keeps getting many interview invites yet no offers? Our interview coach can help you identify the best way to go about your applications.