Asking Questions at the End of an Interview

Matthew Guerriero, Campus Representative, University of Pittsburgh

Everyone has to go through the interview process when applying for jobs, whether it is for a full time position or for an internship. This process has become pretty standard in today’s world. The interview can be the deciding factor in whether or not a prospective student gets the job. Students applying for positions should practice their interviewing techniques so they can look professional and knowledgeable to recruiters. However, one aspect of interviewing that students tend to forgot is asking questions about the company they are applying for, to the person interviewing them. Kate Lorents from CarreerBuilder.com writes:

An interview is meant to be a two-way street. The hiring manager is interviewing you to determine whether you're the best fit for the job. At the same time, you should be asking questions to determine whether you would be happy in the position or with the company. But once nerves take over, it's easy to forget your role. After all, you're meeting on the employer's schedule in an unfamiliar office. After listening to the interviewer's monologue about the company and role, you're asked a barrage of questions about your background and future plans “all the while praying that you're delivering the "right" answers. By the time the employer asks if you have any questions, it's easy to be so drained and nervous you can only stammer out, "Nope."

Career services advisors and professors at the University of Pittsburgh have made it a point to let the students know that asking questions during an interview is extremely important. This lets the employer know that the applicant is genuinely interested in the company and wants to work there. I find this to be very helpful, and it may even be the one thing that gives someone an advantage over someone else that doesn’t ask any questions.