As the Director of Software Engineering, I have conducted numerous interviews for various positions ranging from senior DevOps and Back-End Engineers to a mid-level Front-End Engineer.
It is crucial for candidates to ask questions during an interview. Don’t be afraid to request clarification or additional information when needed. Whether it’s a straightforward question such as “What are the company’s long-term goals?” or a more technical inquiry, feel free to inquire. When the interviewer gives you the chance to ask questions, make sure to seize it by coming up with insightful queries that show you’ve done your homework on the company or the topics discussed during the interview. This demonstrates your attentiveness and dedication in pursuing the position. Remember, during the interview process, you are also assessing the company just as much as they are assessing you!
Why is this significant? In recent interviews, I have observed that certain candidates have difficulty understanding questions, leading to disorganized and lengthy answers that indicate a potential lack of the specific knowledge sought by the hiring manager. This could potentially raise doubts about their communication skills and impede their capacity to fulfill ambiguous requirements.
In a recent interview, a candidate shared their initial thoughts on a question but paused to seek clarification before offering a well-thought-out response. Following the interview, my colleague and I acknowledged the candidate’s proactive approach to seeking clarification. This behavior has placed them at the forefront of our list for the upcoming interview rounds and will continue to be a key factor in our selection process.
In conclusion, inquire about the company and conduct an interview while applying to ensure that you are a suitable candidate for the company and the company aligns with your current and future objectives.