asking questions in your post-interview thank-you note -- ASK A MANAGER |
asking questions in your post-interview thank-you note
by ASK A MANAGER on JUNE 21, 2012
A reader writes:
If I have additional questions that I’d like to ask after an interview has concluded, would it be appropriate to ask them in my thank-you note?
I had a second interview for a civil service position. The first interview (a panel interview) was to determine my ranking for the position. The second interview was to actually fill the position. Much to my surprise, the questions in the second interview were exactly the same as the ones in the first interview. The only difference is that I was interviewed by three different individuals. The interview was 10 questions. I tried to make it conversational when possible, but it was hard because it was very structured. The immediate supervisor was one of the interviewers. Looking back, I wish I would have asked the following:
How would you describe your leadership style?
How would you or other people here describe the culture here?
What are some recent accomplishments in the department that you’re most proud of?
I did ask in the interview if there were any reservations about my fit for the position and the immediate supervisor replied that that’s what he and the other interviewers are going to discuss.
He did say that they want to make a hiring decision within the next few days because they’re really in need of someone. I just feel that I’d like to know these questions beforehand if I end up getting an offer. Any thoughts or suggestions?
I would not ask these questions in a follow-up note, because they’re not quick ones to answer.
It’s perfectly reasonable to ask things in a thank-you note that someone can easily type out a quick reply to, like what their timeline is for making a decision. But the questions you have here are more in-depth ones, and very few employers are going to want to type out the lengthy answers they’d require. These are questions for when you’re already having a discussion.
But if you’d like to discuss these things before you’d feel comfortable accepting the job, wait until they make you an offer. At that point, say that you have some questions and ask them — or ask if there’s a time you can set up to talk with the person who would be your manager.
But wait for that at this point — don’t use the thank-you note for it.
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