Ask This, Not
That…..
By Simon O'Mahony
The one
question you are guaranteed to be asked at every single interview is “Do you have any questions to ask me?"
Never say "No."
When asked what questions
you have, there is no excuse not to be prepared. Having a list of questions
prepared in your head is fine, but after a long interview you will be exhausted
and you run the risk of forgetting your questions. Having a list of questions
with you will eliminate the risk of forgetting but more importantly will show
the interviewer that you are prepared, professional, and taking the job
interview seriously.
The best way to answer the
question is with a “Yes, I prepared some questions for you. Do you mind if I
refer to them now?” This response is respectful and it shows that you know how
to plan and prepare.
Answering the question
with a simple “No” tells the interviewer that you are not really interested in
the job. A huge turnoff!
Answering the question
with a list of “inappropriate” questions is a big mistake. As a recruiter this
is one of my biggest pet peeves. It always leaves the impression that you are
more interested in what’s in it for me, rather than wanting to learn more. Some
of these questions are important, e.g. salary and benefits, but there will be
other opportunities and a more appropriate time to ask these questions.
Here are a few questions
you should stay clear of:
- How often do you get paid here?
- Can I work from home?
- What kind of benefits other than medical, etc... do you offer?
- Can I work flexible hours?
- So what exactly does this company do?
- So, did I get the job?
- When I take time off for vacation?
- Will I have to do a drug test?
The BEST question to end
an interview with is: “So based on our conversation today, do you have any
concerns that I could address which would prevent me from moving on in the
process?” It leaves the interviewer with a great impression and allows you to
address any concerns without giving the interviewer time to ponder and think on
any concerns.
Simon
O’Mahony, originally from Dublin, Ireland, was personally recruited by Sage
Hospitality and joined the organization as a Corporate Recruiter in
2006. In 2009, Simon was promoted into the role of Talent Acquisition
Manager for Sage Hospitality and Sage Restaurant Group. Simon is
responsible for hiring management positions for Sage Hospitality
nationwide and for their corporate office in downtown Denver. He is also
involved in overall recruiting initiatives including college recruiting
programs, diversity initiatives, and employer branding. Simon works
with several local and nationwide agencies, colleges, universities, in
order to build a network and pipeline of candidates. In 2009 he was the
recipient of the Sage Innovation Award as a result of his use of social
media networking to enhance the recruiting process.
When he is not recruiting, (Recruiters are always working!) Simon enjoys Colorado’s beautiful outdoors. He also has a passion for photography and while it sounds like a cliché he loves meeting new people (which is why he probably loves recruiting!). Simon is a supporter of several non-profit organizations in Denver.
When he is not recruiting, (Recruiters are always working!) Simon enjoys Colorado’s beautiful outdoors. He also has a passion for photography and while it sounds like a cliché he loves meeting new people (which is why he probably loves recruiting!). Simon is a supporter of several non-profit organizations in Denver.
Simon can be reached at Simon.OMahony@SageHospitality.com.
