How to Turn the Tables: The One Interview Question You Can't Afford to Miss | John’s Tips 2024W11

Discover the powerful interview question that reveals interviewer hesitations, boosts your candidacy, and sets the stage for future career success.

Have you ever faced a moment in an interview where one question changed everything for you? 

Almost everyone who gives advice about what you should do in interviews says the same thing - ask questions of the interviewer! 

This does have a big benefit, as it makes the interview into more of a conversation, and provides a bit of back and forth between yourself and the other people on the call.

But, what specific question or questions should you ask?

You’ll want to find out your own key information, the things that are deal breakers for you, as well as questions that show you aim to grow within the company you are looking to join. 

Some I frequently ask that are important to me, a list I have put together over the years influenced by scenarios in old jobs I don’t want to repeat:

“What is the release cadence?”

“What level of involvement & support there is from the role’s direct manager?”

“What growth and career opportunities are there within the company”

“What is the work/life balance like in the company?“

“Is there a chance for cross team/division collaboration?”

But there is one that has become my favorite since a friend of mine (Jonny Flynn) shared it a couple of years back and that is:

“What is your biggest hesitation about hiring me?”

This is such a powerful question in an interview. This question demonstrates self-awareness and openness to feedback, qualities that are highly valued by employers.

What this does, is that it gives you a final chance to argue their biggest worry about you as a potential employee. They might have a worry about something you actually do have experience in, but haven’t anywhere on your CV. 

You should aim to ask this a few minutes before the end of the interview, so you have time to respond to their answer.  

If their worry is something that is genuinely missing from your experience, then you can take that feedback away as a long term goal. 

If this hesitation does become the reason for you being an unsuccessful applicant, and you do wish to work with that company in the future, you can simply aim to fill that gap in your CV during the next role you do actually land, then reach back out to the person who interviewed you stating that you’ve filled that gap, should a new role arise. 

Have you heard of this one or used it before? Do you have other questions you think are great for an interview? Please leave a comment to share the knowledge!

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