Is it necessary to ask questions in an Interview?

[619959]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I am not talking about interviews for medical school specifically, but interviews in general...is it really necessary to ask questions?
Each time, I go for an interview, the interviewer asks me "do you have any questions?". Like, I do not know what to say (or ask). (Because, as people suggest- I always do my research on that person or organization beforehand and ask people related about their perspectives and experiences)
If I do not have any question, should I make up one? But, I do not understand- why? What's the point, I already know the answer to the question.

 

[WedgeDawg]

If you don't, then no, you definitely don't have to. If I didn't have any other questions I would just say that the student hosts/tour guides/admissions committee welcome speech/medical students already answered all of my questions.

 

[kevinsword91]

A simple question I would ask in really any interview was "What's one thing you really like about (insert institution)?" Gives the interview the chance to talk about why they like their company or school and shows you are interested in their opinion.

 

[619959]

If you don't, then no, you definitely don't have to. If I didn't have any other questions I would just say that the student hosts/tour guides/admissions committee welcome speech/medical students already answered all of my questions.

I am not referring to medical school interviews.

 

[LChristmas]

Always ask a question. It shows a disinterest if you don't. Even if you already got an answer from one person, it never hurts to get another's opinion. And if you have truly done all of your research, then you should have a question for each group of people you encounter, and especially one (minimum) for each interviewer.

 

[cactus8910]

It's good to have questions because it demonstrates that you're interested. I'm like you though, I have a hard time coming up with questions, especially if most of the info I would want to know is available online or they've already answered. I find it's easier to ask about subjective things, like what they really like about X, how they would describe the environment. You say you:

ask people related about their perspectives and experiences

but it can't hurt to ask the interviewer in person. Maybe you'll get a new perspective.

 

[NoDakDok]

I find it's easier to ask about subjective things, like what they really like about X, how they would describe the environment. You say you:

but it can't hurt to ask the interviewer in person. Maybe you'll get a new perspective.

Tread lightly.

I have had interviewers straight up say, "I will not answer that question because this interview is about you, not me."

A bit of a brash response to, "What do you like and dislike about school X?" But it happened. There was no indication that the interviewer would respond that way and I ultimately got accepted to the schools, but it caught me off guard and it happened more than once.

 

[619959]

This is what happened one day, I asked a question and me and professor who was interviewing hit it off really well, until he asked me "what is you long term goal? (blah, blah, blah) You know, it is really hard to go to foreign countries and treat patients. How can you overcome that situation?"
I answered (like a foolish and I felt like he felt offended- who knows, I still feel that I did not get into that program because of my response to that question), "That's why my long term goal is to become a professor and an educator so that I can educate the physicians in those countries to better their treatment procedures". END of the interview.

^ worst interview moment ever. From, that point on- I never tell anyone I want to become a professor in future, it's just in my mind (and now, on SDN).

 

[619959]

Tread lightly.

I have had interviewers straight up say, "I will not answer that question because this interview is about you, not me."

A bit of a brash response to, "What do you like and dislike about school X?" But it happened. There was no indication that the interviewer would respond that way and I ultimately got accepted to the schools, but it caught me off guard and it happened more than once.

Somebody told me that once...gosh, you never know what a person might be like...I ended up working in his lab though

 

[Law2Doc]

If you don't, then no, you definitely don't have to. If I didn't have any other questions I would just say that the student hosts/tour guides/admissions committee welcome speech/medical students already answered all of my questions.

This is actually pretty bad advice. Always have questions. Think up some based on the things said in the interview. Ask things to get other perspectives. It just shows you are interested and actually give a darn.

 

[dyy199x]

Interview often displays "people skills" so it's not really "what you say" but more often "how you say it"

ie. "Do you have any questions?"

[Interviewee] "I heard this job is challenging; I love a challenge. Do you think it is?
[Interviewer] "Why, Yes..... Yes i do.."
END OF DISCUSSION

(How I go about interviews)
[Interviewee] "So, I noticed this job can be quite challenging. What's one aspect that most people find difficult or have a hard time with?"
[Interviewer] "(Fill in the blank) "

both questions basically ask the same thing but what you want is the interviewer to think that you are more interested AND qualified for this [position/spot] than the other guys/girls they have interviewed. that should be the main objective whenever you go in for an interview!

 

[619959]

thanks @dyy199x

 

[dr.rangersfan]

+1

Interview often displays "people skills" so it's not really "what you say" but more often "how you say it"

ie. "Do you have any questions?"

[Interviewee] "I heard this job is challenging; I love a challenge. Do you think it is?
[Interviewer] "Why, Yes..... Yes i do.."
END OF DISCUSSION

(How I go about interviews)
[Interviewee] "So, I noticed this job can be quite challenging. What's one aspect that most people find difficult or have a hard time with?"
[Interviewer] "(Fill in the blank) "

both questions basically ask the same thing but what you want is the interviewer to think that you are more interested AND qualified for this [position/spot] than the other guys/girls they have interviewed. that should be the main objective whenever you go in for an interview!

 

[Goro]

I believe that it's always prudent to ask current students why they picked that school, and which ones they turned down and why.

I am not talking about interviews for medical school specifically, but interviews in general...is it really necessary to ask questions?
Each time, I go for an interview, the interviewer asks me "do you have any questions?". Like, I do not know what to say (or ask). (Because, as people suggest- I always do my research on that person or organization beforehand and ask people related about their perspectives and experiences)
If I do not have any question, should I make up one? But, I do not understand- why? What's the point, I already know the answer to the question.

 

[Law2Doc]

Interview often displays "people skills" so it's not really "what you say" but more often "how you say it"

ie. "Do you have any questions?"

[Interviewee] "I heard this job is challenging; I love a challenge. Do you think it is?
[Interviewer] "Why, Yes..... Yes i do.."
END OF DISCUSSION

(How I go about interviews)
[Interviewee] "So, I noticed this job can be quite challenging. What's one aspect that most people find difficult or have a hard time with?"
[Interviewer] "(Fill in the blank) "

both questions basically ask the same thing but what you want is the interviewer to think that you are more interested AND qualified for this [position/spot] than the other guys/girls they have interviewed. that should be the main objective whenever you go in for an interview!

I agree conceptually but I think if you keep bringing up how eg "challenging" it is, the take-home message could end up morphing to the notion you seemed worried how challenging it will be. So you always need to be a bit cautious in how you phrase things like this.

 

[FindMeOnTheLinks]

Always ask at least one question, even if it's one you already know the answer to.

 

[WedgeDawg]

This is actually pretty bad advice. Always have questions. Think up some based on the things said in the interview. Ask things to get other perspectives. It just shows you are interested and actually give a darn.

Alright well I will concede the point then, though in my experience it hasn't been a make-or-break deal, but always better to be safe than sorry. If you are going to ask a question just to appear interested or engaged, then ensure that it doesn't sound superficial or anything because I feel like an astute interviewer can detect a disingenuous question without much trouble.

 

[Law2Doc]

Alright well I will concede the point then, though in my experience it hasn't been a make-or-break deal, but always better to be safe than sorry. If you are going to ask a question just to appear interested or engaged, then ensure that it doesn't sound superficial or anything because I feel like an astute interviewer can detect a disingenuous question without much trouble.

I would have a list of multiple possible fallback questions in your head, and definitely generate more while you are talking. We aren't talking about "A" question or "if". Be inquisitive and have LOTS of questions if you end up with the floor. Once in a while an interviewer will not really have anything he wants to ask and will just turn the floor over to you very early in the interview. You'd be better able to conduct the interview yourself, like a pro late night talk how host.