especially if you ask questions about matters that were already covered during the
course of the interview.
Only ask a question if you have a genuine query. Acceptable questions include
those relating directly to the job you’re applying for, as well as working conditions and
company policies on such things as on pay, leave, and so on. Interviewers never mind
answering questions about such matters, but they do mind answering questions they
perceive to be irrelevant.
If you have no questions to ask, simply say something like: ‘Thank you, but I
have no questions. You’ve been very thorough during the course of the interview and
have covered all the important matters regarding the job.’ There’s nothing wrong with
including a compliment to the interviewer about their thoroughness and professionalism
—provided it doesn’t go over the top or sound like grovelling.
Two further points need to be made about asking questions. First, avoid asking too
many questions. On the whole, interviewers do not enjoy role reversals. Second, never
ask potentially embarrassing questions. These can include:
A question relating to a negative incident;
something that’s not supposed to be in the public domain;
A difficult question that may stump the interviewer.
The rule of thumb is: if you think a question may cause embarrassment, err on the
side of caution and avoid it.
Myth no. 9: Relax and just be yourself -
Whilst it is important to be relaxed and show your better side, it is also very
important to understand that interviews are not social engagements. Most interviews are
highly formalised events in which otherwise innocuous behaviours are deemed
unacceptable.
In short, being your usual self could spell disaster (as contradictory as that may
sound). For example, if being yourself means leaning back on your chair, dressing
somewhat shabbily and making jokes, you might find yourself attending an inordinate
number of interviews.
Whilst interviewers like people to be relaxed, they also have definite
expectations about what behaviours are appropriate for an interview and you violate
these expectations at your peril!
Myth no. 10: Interviewers are looking for flaws
The danger with this myth is that it can easily lead to interviewees adopting a
defensive, perhaps even distrustful, attitude during the interview.
If you believe that the interviewer is assiduously searching for your flaws, it