Do you have any questions for us?

Ok so you're reaching the end of your interview and you've been asked many questions. You might be feeling good about your performance or uneasy. Hopefully, you feel confident. The Interviewer then asks, "Do you have any questions for us?" As a Talent Acquisition Manager and Recruiter, I have asked this question many times and sometimes the candidate has zero questions for me. Really, no questions? Remember an interview should be a conversation, not an interrogation. As a Career Coach, my clients are equipped to provide complete answers and to ask questions which will help keep the interviewer(s) engaged. What should I ask? Company / Brand. Before any interview, we should research the company or brand. While doing so, prepare questions. Start by showcasing what you've learned about the brand, then ask clarifying questions. Example question: I noticed that your brand is highly involved in giving back to the community. How do you identify which organizations or communities to get involved with and how do employees get involved? Role: You've reviewed the job description and taken notes during the interview. You can ask about the role itself, here are a few example questions:

• Is this a new role, or a backfill?

• What does a successful candidate look like for this role?

• If I were to ask an employee in this department what they enjoy most about their job or about their challenges, what would you expect them to say?

• After speaking with me, do you have any hesitations about my abilities to be successful in this role?

Employee Development: Many companies provide yearly mandatory training and others include the options for employees to sign up for the training of their interest. Feel free to inquire. Example of a question. "What is your strategy to help develop talent and help with career progression?" Of course, you do not have to ask the above questions. But take time to review the job prior to your scheduled interview and come prepared to ask and to answer questions, show interest, be engaged! Take time to prepare and identify questions that matter to you. Also, take notes during your interview, these notes will lead you to ask clarifying questions. These questions will provide more insight into the company, and an idea of the mindset of the leadership team. The more you learn during your interview, the better prepared you will be to make an informed decision if presented with an offer.

Be prepared to ask questions! Yes, I do! Yes, I do!

Eileen Gonzalez, CPCC

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