How Questions Can Win You the Job

An interview should never feel like a test. It should feel like a sales call where your questions lead the way.

^{Photo by Mina Rad on Unsplash}

If you are a candidate, you need to ask more questions than you are asked. The company is not your examiner. It is your potential customer.

Think like a salesperson. Build a relationship. Show that you care. And yes, I just had to write this after the recent round of interviews because I really hate boring ones.

The Painful Pattern of Silence

I interview 10 to 20 people every month, mostly for technical roles. The most painful pattern is silence. I’m speaking with smart, capable adults who still walk into interviews with a school exam mindset.

I ask candidates to ask questions at least twice. First after I present the project and the client. Then again towards the end of the conversation. I even spell it out: you can ask me about anything, not just the job, please.

And yet, most often I still hear crickets. That is the worst-case scenario for the candidate.

Why Questions Matter More Than Answers

The number of questions should be balanced on both sides. That is how you create a real conversation. If the candidate asks more questions than the interviewer, that is even better.

Most interviewers do not expect to answer more questions than they ask. Which is exactly why the candidates who do it stand out.

Because asking questions is how you leave a lasting positive impression. It is how you sometimes open doors you did not even know were there. Maybe you land the job. Maybe you get recommended for a different one that fits you better.

So do not just show up ready to answer. Show up ready to ask.

What is the best question you have ever asked in an interview or wish you had?