We have all been there. It is 45 minutes into an hour long interview and the person holding our resume asks what seems like their final question. “Do you have any questions for me?” If you have done your homework, you likely have many specific questions about the organization and position. However, there is probably one question you haven’t asked that could help your chances of getting an offer.
Before leaving the interview, ask the interviewer “what reservations do you have about my ability to succeed at this position?” This allows you to pick the interviewer’s brain a bit before you walk out of the interview room. Additionally, it will give you a chance to speak to their concerns directly.
For example, let’s say the interviewer responds, “Well, to be honest, I’m a bit concerned that you don’t have enough knowledge in our particular field.” You could handle this a few ways. You choose to explain how enthusiastic you are to attain the relevant knowledge and the steps you could take upon starting the job to attain that knowledge. You could also choose to share a story about how you previously overcame lack of knowledge in a work or professional setting.
Regardless of how the interviewer responds, you will leave the interview with more information than you entered. By asking a question such as “what concerns do you have about my ability to succeed at this position,” you will also have tried to create as many opportunities as possible to demonstrate your enthusiasm and fit for the position.
This technique can theoretically be helpful in an informational interview, but is best used in a formal job interview.
Now you’ll feel more prepared for that inevitable closing question: “Do you have any questions for me?”
(Reposted with permission from http://www.drmelissaaiello.com/blog.html.)
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