Mastering the Reverse Interview for Job Success

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Don't miss the reverse interview

At the end of each interview you will be asked: “Do you have any questions for me?”

There is only one correct answer: yes! You should definitely have questions for the interviewer for two reasons:

1. You will receive valuable information about life in the company.
2. This signals that you are a curious and thoughtful job seeker.

But not all questions are the same. Here's what to consider when conducting a 5-10 minute follow-up interview at the end of each interview.

First, what not to do: Don't ask the interviewer's favorite flavor of coffee in a microkitchen—at least not as the first question! Your questions should demonstrate thoughtful consideration of job responsibilities, not frivolous details about bonuses.

The best question reveals insight into the company's future, your future, and how the two paths can benefit each other. Some examples:

• Mentioning a concern or idea you had regarding the company's recent launch and asking whether the company has addressed it.
• Share your work style and ask how it could benefit the team or your career within the company.

There is no template for good interviewer questions because questions are inherently unique to the company, your role, and your experience. However, here are some general ideas for inspiration:

• “What is the biggest challenge facing the company in the next 6 months?” By asking questions about issues, you show that you care about the company and its future. You want to share your experiences to overcome these problems.
• “What is the best thing you learned at this company?” This is a much better version of the “favorite coffee” question. You can and should ask the interviewer about their life experiences, but with a focus on growth: How can the company help you learn and grow as an engineer?

—Rahul

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