An interview is a two way process. Just as you are being evaluated for questions of Can, Will and Fit, so you are also sizing up the possibilities of working in the department or organisation, with similar questions in mind. You are assessing whether the organisation fits your goals and conforms to your values and needs.
Generally an interviewer will ask for questions towards the end of the conversation, but if they do not, be prepared to raise questions at appropriate intervals.
The purpose of asking questions is:
- To demonstrate genuine interest in the company and the job.
- To gain information to help you to evaluate the job against your own job target.
- To enable you to bring out those parts of your skills and experience, which are potentially relevant to the position.
- To demonstrate your behaviour in meetings. The interviewer can get information about you from your CV and references, but their only chance to observe you in action is during the interview. If you restrict yourself only to answering questions, you lose a prime opportunity to prove yourself in action: to show your social skills, your intelligence, energy, tact, and knowledge of the field or job.
- To make the interview more interesting for both parties, and thus provide an opportunity for “good chemistry” to develop.