It’s true what you’ve heard all along: “The first impression is the one that lasts.” In an interview scenario, the ability to make a verbal impression can make or break your chance at landing that sought after position.
What do I mean by verbal? The answer may surprise you, but the ability to ask timely questions could make the difference in separating you from other job seekers.
Before I give you some tips, remember two important facts:
- Asking questions will place you in a favorable position to be hired by the interviewer.
- You can obtain valuable information from the interviewer about the job and the company that will be of help when deciding to accept or reject a potential offer of employment.
Now, let’s get you some tips to have that interviewer begging to hire you.
In general, you should ask questions that:
- Demonstrate you have done research on the company and how they operate.
Example: “I noticed on your website that Acme Corp. is looking to set up an E-Commerce site. What application server technology will be the backbone for this implementation? Cold Fusion, Active Server Pages, .NET, PHP, IBM’s WebSphere, or something similar?” - Tell you what the prospective interviewer is looking for.
Example: “I understand the job opening is for an Application Developer. Could you please highlight some specific traits your’e looking for in a job candidate and how these directly relate to the new job opening?” or “Can you explain why this Application Developer position is available?” or “What specific duties does the Application Developer position entail?”
Compensation issues should be shelved until you progress further in the interview process. “How much money can I make?” is perhaps the best example of what not to say.
Questions focused on monetary rewards genarally signal a red flag. In other words, the interviewer may conclude you’re jumping ship because of money.
So how do you slip in a question regarding compensation without giving a bad impression? Try this one: “How often does Acme Corp. review performance?”
Finally, caution is required when inquiring about corporate culture and working conditions since it gives the impression that you’re only looking out for yourself. “What is the atmosphere like at Acme Corp.?” should generate a positive reply while maintaining your spotless image during the interview.
Good luck and happy hunting!
