Melinda French Gates’ Ex-Chief of Staff on the Most Important Interview Question

• Jeffrey Spector is co-founder of Karat and former Chief of Staff at Melinda French Gates.
• He says applicants should be more thoughtful when answering, “Do you have any questions for me?”
• His number one interview tip is to keep the “ask” question out of the park.

Most of the time, at the end of the interview, when you’re feeling relieved, the person across from you asks you, “Do you have any questions?”

I can see why many people think they are disposable. Job seekers are focused on giving the right answer. The interviewer asks questions. But precisely because most people don’t give it much thought, the “Do you have any questions?” question is the biggest lost opportunity in the job search process.

I am former Chief of Staff at Melinda French Gates and co-founder of Carat, a technical interviewing firm. Analyze data from tens of thousands of monthly interviews to glean insights about what distinguishes a good candidate from their experience.

In addition to spending my days talking to interviewers and hiring managers, I am constantly conducting personal interviews with people on our team to draw my own qualitative conclusions.

My number one tip for interviews is to keep the “question” question out of the park

Sometimes job seekers say they have no questions. Maybe they’re exhausted after a long day. Unfortunately, taking a pass can probably give the false impression that you’re curious.

Some people ask questions like, “What are your company’s five-year plans?” This is a real question, but one that can be asked by anyone who works for any company. Therefore, it does not indicate that you have done any research or thought deeply about the business.

Another thing is that candidates walk through a list of good questions but don’t seem to listen to the answers. The interviewer says things that change the way you ask the next question, but keep going until you’ve read through the list. In that case, they did their research and showed they thought a lot about the business, but never cooperated or thought about it right away.

3 things to think about when hiring of question.

1. Can you prove that you are diligent and have the necessary skills for the job you are applying for?

Interviewers want candidates to think specifically about this sector, this organization, and this role. What skills are required for this role? Prove that you have them with the questions you ask. For example, if you’re interviewing for a benefits HR manager, research your company’s packages online, research Glassdoor reviews to see what employees think, and find out what’s behind the most controversial policies. Ask your hiring manager what their philosophy is.

2. Can you reach your growth potential?

I get excited when candidates ask questions beyond the role they’re applying for. If they can put themselves in the position of the interviewer or boss, it suggests sooner or later that promotion is worth considering. It is worthwhile to find out who is in the interview loop and come up with questions that are relevant to their job. , see how people’s answers differ. It’s better than saying there are no questions.

3. Can you show how much you are working together?

I love it when candidates give and take with me. Because you can watch your candidates receive new information and sharpen their thinking in real time. My favorite questions are the ones I don’t know how to answer. A question that makes you think about how you do your job. If you really want to be bold, ask, “What would stop me from running for this position today?” That way, you can hit any criticism head-on.

Consider it an opportunity to show your best qualities

There is nothing easy about job interviews. I’m always scared of questions that I can’t answer. I don’t know how candid I really can be. There are serious power dynamics at work. The interviewer is bringing a subjective attitude into the room that you can only guess. And you’re not 100% comfortable with her, and she’s getting tired by the minute. It’s stressful.

But if there’s one part of the interview that you can trust and always prepare for, it’s the question, “Do you have any questions?” It may also be the most important part, as it’s a bonus opportunity that shows initiative and creativity that every employer wants.

Jeffrey Spector is the president and co-founder of Karat, a technical interviewing company. He is Melinda Gates’ former chief of staff.