Why Your Interview Is a Two-Way Street

During the last five minutes of any interview, your interviewer will ask one final question: “Do you have any questions for me?”

Your interviewer has gotten most, if not all, of the information that he or she needs to make an informed decision about your candidacy–but do you have the information you need? Most people don’t view interviews as a two-way street: Yes, the interviewer is trying to determine if you’re the best candidate for the position, but at the same time, you should be assessing whether or not the position is the best fit for you. Sounds bold, but after a month or two into any job, you don’t want to look back and think, “I wish I’d made a different decision.”

Think about the things that are most important to you when it comes to work – these are ideally the things that will allow you to be productive and happy. Do you like to feel supported? If so, ask about the training resources the company has in place.  Do you work better in a quiet, heads-down environment, or do you enjoy a ton of office banter? Ask about the office dynamics–how people interact with each other and what their working styles are like. Do you like to focus on a single task or dip your toes into a lot of different aspects of the business? If so, ask about the people and departments you may come into contact with in the role.

If the position sounds right for you, then that’s incredible news. If it doesn’t sound right, then it really is OK to keep looking. Yes, continuing the job search is exhausting, but if you do have the time and resources to keep searching, then focusing on your happiness later on down the line is far more important than getting a job right this second.

So, when your interviewer effectively hands you the microphone and allows you to take control, be ready with the right questions so that you can make the best decision for you.