Listen, we're gonna be straight up with you. The job market sucks. Interviews (when you can get them) can be nerve-wracking, and they tend to end with one final question... the dreaded "do you have any questions for us?"
What are you even supposed to say there!?!
In theory the interview process should have covered pretty much everything, and if we're honest that question always makes us feel put on the spot. Turns out we're not the only ones, but that's ok because Reddit has provided us with a handy dandy cheat sheet courtesy of this thread:
What's the worst and best answer when asked in a job interview "Do you have any questions for us?"
Whip out your phones to take notes, kiddos. It turns out there are definitely some wrong answers.
Policy Check
How strict is your sexual harassment policy?
I actually think this is a solid question after working in retail & fast food with some slimey guys & companies that don't want to go through the trouble of rectifying a harassment issue.
It's frustrating as a guy having to work in a place where female coworkers ask you to stick around not because of customers but because of terrible male coworkers/supervisors.
- A_R_K_S
OK But Parking Is Expensive
Best: what does a successful candidate look like in six months?
Worst: Do you validate parking?
Body Language
I always ask about the office culture. You can tell a lot from both the response and how the interviewer reacts to the question. If it's a toxic environment, their body language is probably going to show it, no matter what verbal answer they give.
Done Some Research
GiphyThis is a good time to show you have done some research before the interview, ask them about the last big posting, merger etc.
It makes a huge difference when interviewing if someone can talk to you about the companies history etc.
- N3ROISM
A List
I work in Human Resources for state government and we have a resource on our website for these questions:
What to ask:
- Will you describe for me what a typical day or week might be like in this job?
- What qualities do successful employees in this job possess?
- What are the upward and lateral career paths identified for this position?
- Are training opportunities available to help me continuously enhance my skill set?
- What role does this job have in achieving the organization's goals and objectives?
- What are some of the more challenging issues I would face in this job?
What not to ask:
- "How soon can I be promoted into a position like yours?"
- "How much vacation time will I get and when?"
- "I have small children at home. Are you flexible with my start time?"
Do not ask about compensation and benefits until you are offered the job.
Also, the note about the last bit isn't really applicable everywhere. Compensation and benefits info is already made available to the public on the state website so it's more of a waste of time if you ask about it and didn't look it up yourself. In most other situations you should absolutely be asking about compensation and benefits.
The Strangest 'Wrong Number' Stories | George Takei’s Oh Myyy
Before we all had caller ID, wrong numbers phone calls were commonplace. But now that almost everyone screens their calls, it's wrong number texts that have ...All Set
I interview a lot of people (and coach them on interviewing), and I think one of the worst is, "No, I think I'm all set!" Along with that, questions that are very narrow or self-serving instead of big picture/exploring how you can add value.
Best would include questions about direction the company is heading, current challenges they face, why the interviewer loves working there, etc.
Trump Tweets
Best: Ask specific questions about the workplace, business, industry, indicating you've done research and want to become a part of the company.
Worst: Talk like Trump tweets and focus entirely on yourself.
Why You?
"Why should I work for you?"
If you have the skills to get an interview with a firm, you have the skills to get an interview with their competition. Why should you work for them? What's your incentive not to take a similar job at their closest competitor?
Employers want you to think that you need them more than they need you. Sometimes that's the case, and if it is, take the fucking job. However, if the incentive to work for the firm is just a paycheck, there are going to be serious organizational/cultural issues in that workplace, guaranteed.
Community Resources
"What is your policy on acceptance of LGBTQ+ people and what resources are available for that community?"
Don't "Just Say No"
GiphySeriously, the worst answer is "no". It makes you look kinda dumb. If all your questions were answered say "I was going to ask you about X and Y but we covered that already." But you should always have questions prepared for the end, always.
It's the last impression you make, the one that the interview will likely remember the best. Don't say "uh, no".
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