Today we're going to tackle how to answer the job interview question, "Do you have any questions for me?" There's nothing more awkward than not being prepared for this question when it comes up in your job interview.
This is your chance to show the interviewer that you are very interested in the position and aren't just looking for a paycheck. By asking questions, you are showing them that you are doing everything you can to make an informed decision about the position and to make sure that you will be a good fit with them.
Remember, a job interview goes both ways. While they are trying to see if you'd make a great employee, you are also interviewing them to see if they'd make a great employer.
Questions to avoid:
How many vacation days do I get?
What's your policy on drug testing?
Do you allow inter-office dating?
Can we be Facebook friends?
Do I get free food?
Keep your questions professional and about the job.
Questions to ask:
What does a typical day look like in this position?
What is the most challenging part of this position?
What would be the hardest thing to learn in this job?
What would success look like in this position?
Questions like these show that you are taking your job search seriously and are making sure that this job will be a good fit for you.
This is also a great chance for you to take what you've learned from researching their website beforehand and turn it into a question:
While researching your website I noticed the company offers training for shift leaders. Can you tell me a little more about that?
This also shows the interviewer that you’ve been doing your homework for the interview and are taking your job search very seriously. You come across as professional and caring.
Have you ever asked a not-so-great question in an interview? Let us know about it below!
About Kim Costa
How do you address a low pay offer ?
when can get the job brenda monroe
Hi Brenda! Try using our keyword search tool to look for jobs in your area: http://www.snagajob.com/job-search and let me know if you have any questions!
HI MIsss Kim!! Yes, I like to know why it takes so long to get a job????? thru here???? not easy like everyone said….Thanks
Kim,
from the website I got an interview with a local Michael’s store. I went into the interview today and it seemed to go well. However I had a question to ask you since its on your topic. If a company discusses their scheduling policy openly with you without provacation is this a good sign that the job interview went well? Or how about if the store manager was asked into the interview to discuss with you further details and such. I am still new to gauging reactions but I just thought I would ask since I am 29 years old and its becoming harder and harder to find these opportunities. So to help the community I thought id ask this question.
Hi Jason! That’s great
. Have you heard back from them? While I can’t speak on behalf of the employer, it does seem that they seemed to like you, especially since the manager was called in. Let me know how it goes!
What if I am ready to take any job…do I still ask questions?
Hi Lidia! Great question. Yes, you should definitely still ask questions. Employers want you to ask questions because it shows that you are really interested in the positions itself. You don’t want to make it look like you will take just any job. It can be a red flag to an interviewer if you don’t ask questions. Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions!
Is an interviewer allowed to ask why I felt the need to earn my graduate degree?
Hi Cody! It’s certainly not an illegal interview question. They may just be checking to see if you are overqualified for the position, if you will be happy in the position, or it could just be out of curiosity.
That is interesting but what if you respond back to them that you did it to make yourself a more marketable job candidate? Their asking why it was done sound slightly unethical. (You spend all that money trying to improve yourself just to be asked why but you did and then hear, while talking with friends who are of the opposite sex and difference enthicities, that they were congratulated, encouraged and even applauded for having done the same thing.)
More a comment than a question. I hate to fill out an app for 30 to 45 minutes and no one calls. I’d prefer a prelim app with name, address, some info, then if they’re interested we complete the app. Nothing’s worse than filling out these long apps, and have NO response. Looking for a job should not be a job itself. It’s unfair. Also I wanted to fill out for a job at AMF Bowling, and it would let me use my Mac for the app. I don’t have a PC.
hello Kim, how do I know if I passed the test on the applications I have taken when I applied for on your website?
Hi Debie! It’s not a pass or fail type of test. These assessments are more for the employer to see if you will fit into that position. Check out this article: http://www.snagajob.com/resources/the-right-answer-to-assessment-questions/ and let me know if you have any questions!
arghhhhhhhh…..thanks,,,greatings,,,FROM BEYONDDDD
Hey, I want to thank you and the snagajob team for creating these videos for the job hunters out there. Even though I knew about the questions that employers will ask, I always got tongue tied, stumped, or didn’t have anything else for them which I thought could go well itself if the interview before went well without having questions for them. I appreciate your advice in all your videos and again appreciate that all of you will take time to help others out in their job search. Thanks!
Hi Jessica! Thank you so much for your kind words
. I’m so glad you have found our videos helpful! Let me know if you have one you would like us to make!
Kim, I am almost 171/2 with no work experience. Should I still prepare a formal resume in addition to completing the application. The resume will not have any different info in than the app.
Thanks.
Hi Fay! I definitely recommend having a resume in place for job interviews. You can use the information you’ve put on your Snagajob profile. Also, make sure you list and volunteer work you’ve done. This definitely counts as experience. Be sure to put down any odd jobs you’ve held like babysitting or lawn care. This will all help you put things on your resume and will help you stand out to employers. Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions!
What can/should I do when the interviewer hands me paper and pen and wants me to write a paper that is about any subject running through my head at the time. This has me second guessing myself on why/what is up with that???? Any advice on this will be most helpfull….
Hello Kim… I have a criminal background, and I would like to know how I can answer these background questions when asked on the application, and when they come up in the interview… and is you’re Matt from West Covina, CA??? Ive Ben looking for him on facebook…
Hi William – I am sorry to hear about your situation. We have a few articles I think can really help you: http://www.snagajob.com/content-search/resources/?s=felony. Check them out and let me know if you have any questions!
Also, I am married to a Matt, but he’s from Virginia
. Good luck with your search!
Question To Mrs. Kim: can you tell me why? I get on a website,and every time I fill out an application and these college’s come on these site when I’m trying too find work.I can get a Free Education In the State of Maryland.If I have a job thing’s can be a little better in my life.
Just curious. When employers ask if the applicant has ever applied with them before, do they generally look up candidate names in their files anyway? What if someone applied so long ago they cannot remember the specific dates but they surely must have thrown out the applications by now? Can the candidate say they “applied several times over the years without any response from your staff”? Do they still keep an electronic note in their employment files with the previous application attempts?
Can we submit our questions for private answers, if the staff doesn’t care to answer them here ?
I thought these were very helpful, filled with common sense
and funny too!. I was a little taken back by the comment of one individual already having difficulty
at 29. I’m 54 and employment seems to be an issue. Any advice on this. In my eyes I have a greater skill set.,more patience, more experience, elevated awareness, sharper mental acuity,
much more dependable and stable and have more life experience. Final and not at all the least, I am just as fit. I take very good care of myself and have a great attitude and personality, so, There just is no excuse for not hiring older people with my attributes!!
Joyce, When you turn 55 you can check into a program run by the federal government through AARP. It is a program where the government pays you for 18-20 hours per week to work for a non profit organization. This helps you get work skills you may not have and sometimes the organization hires you full time. It is called Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). If you are 55 or older, if your income for the last year is not above their guidelines, and if they have a community location near you, you could be eligible for paid training on that program.
Mrs.Kim these videos are great I really enjoy watching them to help me out with what I’d have to do when I get another interview
Thanks, Alex! Let me know if there’s any video you want us to make or any question you have about your job search!