Editor’s Note:
A job interview is often an awkward, stressful, and unpredictable experience. And unfortunately, it can take a good amount of life experience to learn how to be comfortable and effective as a candidate.
Fortunately, five of our experienced Peer Mentors jumped in to answer this mentee’s question and share their best learning from being both a candidate and a hiring manager. Our mentors sang in five-part harmony about the importance of two-way dialogue in an interview.
If you are a job hunter, be sure to also read last month’s blog about resumé writing, to help you craft a winning application that lands you an interview.
“How can I make my resume stand out?”
Read on for more guidance from our Peer Mentors. – Paige Booth
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Dear Mentors: I recently had an interview where I spent the whole time answering their questions about me and found they had left no real time for MY questions. In the future, how can I make the most of an interview to get the information that I need?
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Dear Mentee,
It’s totally understandable to feel frustrated when you leave an interview without the chance to ask your own questions. Interviews should be a two-way street!
Next time, bring 2–3 must-ask questions to your interview. If you notice time is running short, it’s okay to politely interject by saying something like, “I realize we’re almost out of time, but I’d love to ask a couple of questions before we wrap up.” If that doesn’t work, don’t hesitate to include your questions in your thank-you email after the interview.
Also, consider that if an interviewer doesn’t make space for your questions, it can be a sign of how the company values communication. You deserve to get the information you need. Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself both during and after the interview!
Dear Mentee:
Interviewing SHOULD be a 2-way exchange, but often the people on the other side of the table might not be the interviewing experts you expect them to be. The secret sauce to being a fantastic interviewee is preparation. Show up with 3-5 things that you want to make sure is discussed in the interview – both things you definitely want them to know about YOU and things you definitely want to know about THEM. If at all possible, work those things in from the questions they are asking. Interviewing is a conversation, so asking a question after you answer one is COMPLETELY normal and natural. If you aren’t able to work those pieces in and notice time is winding down – I agree with Kerri – it’s completely appropriate to politely ask if you can ask a few questions before time runs out. Good luck!!
Hello Mentee,
Ah, interviews. An awkward process for everyone involved, even if a former child star isn’t trying to invade your personal space on a couch in front of a live studio audience. (Did I just make 45 minutes on Zoom sound better or worse?)
Chances are, the person interviewing you hasn’t been trained to interview well. And they’re most likely pressed for time to prep for the interview, even if they’re really excited to bring you on board. Understanding that helps you get in the right mindset: help make their job easier, and they’re going to love you as a candidate! That means even if you’re not the right fit for that role or team at that time, they might pass your name along to someone else who’s looking.
The key is to advocate for yourself in whatever way feels most natural to you; working your questions into the interview conversation-style as they come up, or making sure you speak up as the end of the interview is coming and say something along the lines of “I want to be conscious of our time and I have a few questions I really wanted to ask you; is that okay?”
Then it’s time to pull out the list of questions you’ve prepared and be sure to ask the most important ones. Don’t spend a lot of time proving you read their entire website; if that’s what they’re looking for in a candidate, you’re probably wasting your time if you’re looking for fulfilling work.
Ensure the questions you’re asking tell you if the job will be a good fit for YOU: Does their work culture align with how you value flexibility? What can you learn about team and company dynamics? How important is it to you to have autonomy and is that consistent with the role?
Advocating for yourself in the interview will also tell you how they would respond to you advocating for yourself in the job. Any red flags mean you probably don’t want to take it!
Dear Mentee,
I think it is important to make it clear from the beginning of the interview (if the interviewer or hiring committee doesn’t specifically mention it then) that you have some questions you would like to ask. You can artfully mention it as everyone is settling in to begin the discussion (“I am looking forward to answering your questions and also hope we have some time at the end for a few questions I have”). If it’s too tough to squeeze it in before the questions begin, try to work it into your first answer (“Thanks for the question. I am excited about the discussion and hope there’s time for me to ask a few questions before we wrap up”). If there is no opportunity to ask your own questions during the interview, ask the interviewer if they would be receptive to receiving some questions from you via email after the interview. It could be an opportunity for another touch point and to show your level of interest in the organization and the position.
Hello Mentee,
Sometimes, interviews are unbalanced, and how you respond should depend on who you’re speaking with.
If it’s an initial screening call with HR (often just 15–20 minutes), be ready with your most critical questions. This is your chance to find out whether the role aligns with your goals and values before you invest more time. HR typically has more flexibility than hiring managers, so use that time wisely: ask about team structure, why the role is open, or anything that will help you prepare for the next stage.
If you’re speaking with the hiring manager and they don’t leave space for your questions, that’s something to take seriously. It may signal a culture that doesn’t prioritize two-way communication or one where your voice and time may not be valued. Possible red flag.
Just remember: from the moment you apply, you’re interviewing them, too. If the process feels cumbersome, disorganized, rushed, or the conversations are one-sided, that may be a reflection of the workplace culture. If clear communication, mutual respect, and thoughtful dialogue matter to you, pay attention to those early signals.
And if you do get time to ask questions, don’t waste it on surface-level stuff like vacation policy. Ask thoughtful, strategic questions that give you real insight into the team, the role, and the company. For inspiration, check out this fantastic resource from Anna Papalia: Interview questions that matter. It’s a great tool if you’re prepping for interviews and want to approach them with intention.
Got your own career conundrum you’d like advice on?
Then sign up for the WCA peer mentoring program. It’s free to members!
Not ready to sign up yet? Submit your question to Ask a Peer Mentor. It’s all about peers who care about helping their fellow WCA members.
Compiled and edited by Paige Booth
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