In the last post, we introduced risky questions. Risky questions are questions that will have a different outcome depending on the personality of the interviewer. There is no way to know for certain if the interviewer will appreciate or dislike the question. For some it will be worth the risk. For others it will not be. Below are some examples of risky, but possibly beneficial, job interview questions to ask.
Risky Question Examples
- “Do you have any additional doubts about my candidacy that I have not addressed?”
At the end of your interview, you have the option of addressing any doubts the interviewer has. This is a risky question. On the one hand, the interviewer may applaud your initiative and the answers you give will reduce those doubts, thus improving your chances of getting the job. On the other hand, you are forcing the interviewer to focus on your negatives, and you may not have any answers that satisfy their doubts.
- “Where do I stand in comparison to the other applicants?”
This is another risky question. To some, this question makes you look confident, and they will applaud your willingness to ask a question that may have a negative answer. You may also have a chance to alleviate any of their doubts. On the flip side, you may not get an answer you like, or the interviewer is uncomfortable with being asked such a question, or the interviewer has not interviewed anyone else yet, making the question awkward.
- “What salary range is your company offering?”
This is a great question, but it comes with its own downsides. The company may be stubborn about giving you a number, and if they are stubborn it can lead to a very awkward back and forth as you try not to give them a number until they give you a number and vice versa. The question itself is fantastic, but it can lead to a troublesome outcome with some companies. You might be asking for trouble.
Other examples of risky questions include:
- “Is there anything I can do or learn between now and then to improve my candidacy?”
- “Would you be interested in hiring me on a trial basis for 2 weeks?
- “Is there anything I have said that you believe may affect how well I fit your company’s vision?”
Most risky interview questions are about the job interview, though some – like the salary question – are risky questions because of how the employer may answer them. In the next post, we will provide our thoughts on when you might want to take that risk, and when you should definitely steer away from it.
Take Away Interview Tips
- Some questions are inherently risky.
- Sometimes you might want to take that risk.
Free Download – You should also be aware of the 20 Best Question to Ask at an Interview. They are all included in our FREE eBook.
