Why you absolutely MUST ask questions during an interview!

I’ve conducted quite a few interviews during my time as a hiring manager, and it amazes me how often applicants seem to miss the reason they’re showing up!  Basically, an interview is when you’re asking to join an organization, and that’s why I’m always surprised when job seekers sell themselves short by not taking the opportunity to ask questions.

While most of the pressure is placed squarely on the applicant’s shoulders, the interview process is actually the best way of measuring how well a candidate would fit into the organization and its culture.  Failing to ask questions, no matter how well you might have researched the position beforehand, can easily be mistaken for a lack of enthusiasm or interest.  A hiring manager who sees any kind of “bland” behavior might get the impression that they don’t want to work with you, no matter how well qualified you might be for the job!

I always recommend that job seekers write down a handful of questions in advance.  This will cut out any “dead air time” during the interview, and will help in case you forget what you meant to ask in the heat of the moment.  Also, coming up with a few well-phrased questions beforehand will allow you to set yourself apart from all the other job seekers.  If a manager interviews a dozen applicants for a position, then your challenge will be to stand out from the crowd.  Asking relevant questions about the group’s mission or culture will go a long way towards helping you get “the call.”  Even if you don’t get selected this time around, making a favorable impression will keep you on the top of the eligible candidates list just in case future opportunities open up.

Last, but most certainly not least, asking questions opens up the benefit of actually getting answers from a human being!  The federal government is a huge bureaucracy, and sometimes it seems like a challenge to get any kind of response.  Don’t pass up this opportunity to add a personal contact to your network, and feel free to ask any questions you might have about pay, benefits, etc.  Even if the manager you speak with doesn’t have all the answers right off the top of his (or her) head, you can still get a good feel for the organizational culture by the way your questions are received.  If a manager doesn’t have an answer but promises to get back with you, and then actually does, that’s a good indicator of a person you’d want to work for!

Interviews can be challenging, which is why I want to focus a lot more on them in the coming weeks, but the best piece of advice I can give is to be yourself!  If you open up a little and ask questions that actually engage your interviewers, you’re much more likely to be successful in your job search.  Good luck!