I suspect that the problem is that people are worried that the invitation to turn the tables is a trap, just another way for interviewers to judge them. They worry that their queries seem demanding or outdated, or they wonder if they should choose questions that will somehow improve their image as the most qualified candidate. Or, especially commonly, they have no idea how to tactfully ask the things they most want to know. Things like “What are you really like as a boss? and “Is everyone here miserable? You can learn a lot from the way interviewers answer this question.
People who really enjoy their work and the company usually have several things they can quote and will generally seem sincere. But if you get an empty look or a long silence before the interviewer answers, or if the answer is something like “the paycheck,” consider that a red flag. In addition, asking this question makes it easier for you to contact the employer if the schedule they give you comes and goes without anything being known. If they tell you that they plan to make a decision in two weeks and it's been three weeks, you can send them an email with something like: “I know you were expecting to make a decision by this time, so I wanted to check if you have an updated schedule that you can share.
I am very interested in the position and would love to talk more with you. A job candidate asked me that years ago, and it may be the strongest question I've ever been asked in an interview. Your interviewer will ask you if you have any questions and will wait for some of the enthusiastic candidates. Even barring important ideas like that, the answer to this question can help you better visualize what it will really be like to be at work day in and day out.
It's highly unlikely that the interviewer will tell you that the culture isn't welcoming or even toxic. You could think of this part of the interview as your chance to evaluate the organization and if you really want to work there, and that's true. In my experience, many job seekers don't ask questions that require a little thought and show sincere curiosity and care. So what should you ask when it's your turn to interview your interviewer? Here are ten important questions that will provide you with useful information about whether the job is right for you.
It can be difficult to know what will work and what won't, so I'm sharing my full list of the best questions to ask an interviewer. So, after reviewing common interview questions and practicing your answers, be sure to prepare some thoughtful questions to present. Then write them down on a piece of paper or on your phone and look at them right before the interview so they're fresh in your mind.
