How important is it to ask questions at the end of an interview?

[Postictal Raiden]

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Just had my first interview, and I thought it went well. I'm still awaiting their decision. Reflecting on my interview, I realized I didn't ask questions when I was offered the chance at the end of the interview. All I said was "reading the school's website and going on the school tour provided me with all the information I need about the school, thank you".

Did I shoot myself in the foot? Will this reflect badly on my interview? Will this show lack of interest?

I was honest. I read enough about the school and asked few questions during my tour so I had nothing else to ask about.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

Nothing you can do about it now, and I wouldn't say it would turn an excellent interview into a rejection, but in the future, try to think of at least 1 to ask. I usually tried to ask something i genuinely had a question about, or "if there was one thing about X school that you want to make sure i leave here knowing, what would it be?"

 

[Doctor Bob]

There are always mixed thoughts on this...

There is the argument that by asking questions you are demonstrating interest in school. When I was an applicant that was the mentality I had.

Now that I'm on the other side of the table if someone asks a question about the school or program (if it's something we haven't covered on the website, brochures, or during the interview day) then we take that question and incorporate it into our website or brochures of interview day talk. After a while all of the reasonable questions are answered somewhere in writing and if we keep hearing the same questions then it can backfire; rather than demonstrate interest, the question demonstrates lack of attention.

"if there was one thing about X school that you want to make sure i leave here knowing, what would it be?"

Be careful with this question... we've spent all day on interview day telling you about the things we want you to leave there knowing...

 

[NontradCA]

I basically ask one or two questions I already know the answer to, but has not been covered during the day.

 

[touchpause13]

I usually stick with "why did you personally decide to come to this school?"

Im not sure what else to really ask because most school specific questions can be found easily on the website or were covered in the tour/presentation.

 

[Dreamstoo]

There are always mixed thoughts on this...

There is the argument that by asking questions you are demonstrating interest in school. When I was an applicant that was the mentality I had.

Now that I'm on the other side of the table if someone asks a question about the school or program (if it's something we haven't covered on the website, brochures, or during the interview day) then we take that question and incorporate it into our website or brochures of interview day talk. After a while all of the reasonable questions are answered somewhere in writing and if we keep hearing the same questions then it can backfire; rather than demonstrate interest, the question demonstrates lack of attention.



Be careful with this question... we've spent all day on interview day telling you about the things we want to leave there knowing...

That's good advice right there 👍. No one wants to be asked a question they've already answered inadvertently

 

[Jwalker]

Can't go wrong with this ... "If there's one you thing you (the interviewer) could change about this school. What would it be?"

 

[Dreamstoo]

Can't go wrong with this ... "If there's one you thing you (the interviewer) could change about this school. What would it be?"

I feel like that could backfire...

 

[touchpause13]

Can't go wrong with this ... "If there's one you thing you (the interviewer) could change about this school. What would it be?"

I actually would disagree. You want to keep the interview as positive as possible

 

[Jwalker]

Difference in opinion I suppose. To me, the whole point of the interview is to learn about the school. All the lectures and tours you take will only show a glimpse of the school. I feel that this question is two fold - in that it shows you actually value your interviewers opinion and that it also allows for comic relief. 99% of interviewers will respond, "Well I think I need a raise, but really I think we could do this better ..." To each his own I suppose. It worked for me 🙂!

 

[Dreamstoo]

Difference in opinion I suppose. To me, the whole point of the interview is to learn about the school. All the lectures and tours you take will only show a glimpse of the school. I feel that this question is two fold - in that it shows you actually value your interviewers opinion and that it also allows for comic relief. 99% of interviewers will respond, "Well I think I need a raise, but really I think we could do this better ..." To each his own I suppose. It worked for me 🙂!

I do admit that type of response would make me literally

 

[Wipeout416]

Difference in opinion I suppose. To me, the whole point of the interview is to learn about the school. All the lectures and tours you take will only show a glimpse of the school. I feel that this question is two fold - in that it shows you actually value your interviewers opinion and that it also allows for comic relief. 99% of interviewers will respond, "Well I think I need a raise, but really I think we could do this better ..." To each his own I suppose. It worked for me 🙂!

Used the "what would you change" question as well. My interviewer provided a very in depth response and really explained to me what he meant and possible outcomes etc.(after wanting a raise, ha)

Worked great for me.

 

[Wipeout416]

Just had my first interview, and I thought it went well. I'm still awaiting their decision. Reflecting on my interview, I realized I didn't ask questions when I was offered the chance at the end of the interview. All I said was "reading the school's website and going on the school tour provided me with all the information I need about the school, thank you".

Did I shoot myself in the foot? Will this reflect badly on my interview? Will this show lack of interest?

I was honest. I read enough about the school and asked few questions during my tour so I had nothing else to ask about.

I think what you said was pretty good. Not having any question or statement would have been lackluster but since we had our tour first, that really changed my interview experience, as well.

 

[Goro]

Quit fussing, you're fine. Nobody expects to glean any insights into applicants from the questions they ask...that's time is meant for YOUR benefit, not ours (for example, like where do the students live if of-campus? How safe IS Pikesville? Stuff of that ilk?)

Just had my first interview, and I thought it went well. I'm still awaiting their decision. Reflecting on my interview, I realized I didn't ask questions when I was offered the chance at the end of the interview. All I said was "reading the school's website and going on the school tour provided me with all the information I need about the school, thank you".

Did I shoot myself in the foot? Will this reflect badly on my interview? Will this show lack of interest?

I was honest. I read enough about the school and asked few questions during my tour so I had nothing else to ask about.

 

[coolingglasses]

I usually asked non-education questions about the facilities/area that I didn't feel I got enough detail on in the presentation/website/CIB. Things like intramurals, food options, outdoor life, local culture/activities (and also student involvement in it). Though I think one time I asked for more info about rotation site locations.

 

[Dreamstoo]

I usually asked non-education questions about the facilities/area that I didn't feel I got enough detail on in the presentation/website/CIB. Things like intramurals, food options, outdoor life, local culture/activities (and also student involvement in it). Though I think one time I asked for more info about rotation site locations.

All valid things to ask IMO.

 

[NuttyEngDude]

is it ok to ask them to comment on perceived weaknesses of the school, for example m3/m4 rotation sites and competitiveness? or does that end the interview on a negative note and therefore, bad?

 

[abolt18]

Can't say it's essential, but it doesn't hurt. I usually went to the interview with 4-5 questions in mind. By the time I got to the interview, 2-3 had already been answered so I just asked what was left. One interview, all my questions had already been answered just in conversation so I just said "Actually, I don't have any questions. You've already answered them in our conversation here. Thank you." and that was that. Got accepted anyway.

 

[Elevencents]

I'm really tempted to ask the panel at AZCOM if THEY would pay 60k to go there.

 

[LaughingMan]

I didnt on my latest interview.

I said

"Honestly between the pizza social yesterday, the student panel today, and the awesome tour, all of my questions have been answered. I'd like to thank you guys for taking the time to interview me."

After that, we talked for another minute making small chat about each other and that ended it.

I think this whole notion of FORCING a question even if you don't have one is silly. Seriously why would anyone WANT to be fake and give a false question?

 

[Postictal Raiden]

I didnt on my latest interview.

I said

"Honestly between the pizza social yesterday, the student panel today, and the awesome tour, all of my questions have been answered. I'd like to thank you guys for taking the time to interview me."

After that, we talked for another minute making small chat about each other and that ended it.

I think this whole notion of FORCING a question even if you don't have one is silly. Seriously why would anyone WANT to be fake and give a false question?

Damn. That's a good response.

I agree that if you don't have a question to ask, then you shouldn't because coming up with something that could be easily answered by reading the school's website or talking to the current students is not smart.

TBH, I had a question in mind, but was too scared to ask. I was thinking of asking "I'm wondering, what are my chances of getting accepted to your school?". That is the only question that they alone, along with the rest of the ADCOM, know the answer for.

 

[235009]

TBH, I had a question in mind, but was too scared to ask. I was thinking of asking "I'm wondering, what are my chances of getting accepted to your school?". That is the only question that they alone, along with the rest of the ADCOM, know the answer for.

never ask that question. shows weakness and may make the interviewer think they missed some glaring red flag in your app. you have to approach any interview with humble confidence.

as for the OP's question, you should have 5 or so generic questions that you can ask at any school and if you can't come up with anything better choose the one that they didn't cover during the day or on their website and ask that. Alternatively, express an interest in something that was emphasized during interview day or that your interviewer has personal experience with or is involved in and ask for their personal experience with it. This strategy is great because it allows you to continue to sell yourself and shows you have a specific interest in the school.

 

[Jumpstartmy5HT]

I only ask questions when I really do have specific questions. These are usually ones that weren't answered by their website or the student tour guide.

 

[Cartoons]

In job interviews, I've gotten pretty good reactions from asking about personal impressions of the place. Like the "Why did you come here?" touchpause mentioned, or things like "What one thing would you change about this place, if anything?" That way you kind of sidestep the risk of seeming uninformed while getting an impression of the place that you wouldn't see on a website. Unless they have a 'testimonials' page or something, which would be kind of weird.

If nothing else, "You answered them all" sounds better than "I don't have any questions!"

 

[circulus vitios]

I always ask them some stupid BS question just to look interested in the school.

If you could change anything about your school
What do you feel is the strongest/weakest aspect of your school
What changes have been made to the curriculum in the past x years
etc.

 

[dfib slim]

.

 

[LaughingMan]

Just as an update--I asked no questions at the end of my interview.

Final Decision: Accepted!!

 

[coolingglasses]

I asked "Where can I get some good local BBQ?"

As long as you ask one serious question you'll be set.

legit question imho