Job seekers know that making a good first
impression in an interview is important. But leaving a positive, lasting
impression is just as significant, if not more so.
The best way to make sure an interviewer
remembers you well past the conversation is to always ask questions at the end
— something many job applicants don't do, says Brendan Browne, the global head
of talent for LinkedIn.
"If people don't have questions, that's a
concern," Browne tells. In fact, he says that it's the No.1 mistake he
sees people making during the hiring process.
"It's sort of impossible to not have
questions," says the HR exec. "You won't get everything in a
45-minute interview that you need."
Asking questions shows that you have been
paying attention during the interview and that you are eager to learn more
about the company, says the head of global talent.
Browne explains that when a prospective
candidate doesn't ask questions, it raises red flags.
"Is this emblematic of not being
inquisitive or collaborative?" he says. "Questions are one of the
most important things."
Browne gives pointers on questions you can ask:
"Ask about [the interviewer's] experiences. What challenges do they face?
What's next for the company and what's up ahead?"
This final segment of your interview can either
make you a front-runner for the job or significantly hurt your chances. In a
nutshell, it's your last chance to truly show that you were engaged and
demonstrate that you are already thinking about the company's future and how
you fit into the business.
However, one question you shouldn't bring up
right away is salary, says Browne, who warns that you should not discuss money
early on in the conversation.
"There are
a time and a place to bring it up," says Browne.
As the head of global talent at LinkedIn,
Browne says that alignment with the company is the most important thing that he
looks for. Constantly asking about pay, he says, slows down the interview
process and is a turnoff for the hiring manager.
The HR exec notes that salary is an important
discussion to have, although it's really all about when you choose to bring it
up. The first interview is probably not your best bet, he says.
In fact, Browne says that when compensation is
brought up too early and too frequently during the hiring process, he usually
responds by saying, "If that's the most important thing, this may not be
the right place for you."
"We pay well," he adds."But what
keeps people here is helping us execute on very important decisions. Don't
bring [money] up early."
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