May 15, 2026

Do you have any questions for me? Most people Google this before the interview, and every article tells you the same thing: ask about the company culture, ask about growth opportunities. Here is what's actually happening when I ask this as a hiring manager. I'm not testing if you're prepared. I'm testing, are you actually interested in this job, or you're just looking for any job? When you say, can you tell me about the company culture, of course I'm going to say nice things. Great culture, very collaborative, supportive environment, the best company ever. Even if it is terrible, so you learnt nothing. And someone asked, you mentioned that the last person quit after 6 months. Can you help me understand what happened? Now I pause 2, 3, maybe 4 seconds. I'm trying to figure out how honest can I be right now. That pause, that tells you everything. If I answer immediately, I was ready for it. That's rehearsed. If I pause, I'm deciding how much truth to tell you. When you say, what are the growth opportunities here? I give you the standard answer. Lots of opportunities. We promote from within. But when someone else says, how many people on this team have been promoted in the last 2 years? I shift in my chair. That's a specific number. I cannot be vague. I have to give you proof because you are going to look it up. If I look uncomfortable, you just learned something real. If I smile and answer quickly, that's a good sign. One more. Say, what's a typical day like? I describe the perfect day, but someone else says, you mentioned that the team has been working weekends. Is that because of a specific project or is that normal here? I take a breath. Maybe I look down for a second. That hesitation, that's me deciding whether to tell you the truth or not. Because I'm worried if I'm honest, you would not want the job anymore. Watch my face. Watch how long I take to answer. That tells you more than my words. Why do you like working here? Easy. I will smile. Great people, exciting work. The best company ever. But someone else says, if you could change one thing about working here, what would it be? I actually laugh a little. Not because it's funny. No one has ever asked me that before. Now I have to think about my answer. That's the difference. Generic questions let me stay comfortable. I give you rehearsed answers. My face does not change. But the real questions, that's where I pause. I shift in my seat. I look away for a second. My face shows how I really feel. You're not just listening to what I say, you're watching how I say it. Do I look uncomfortable? You learn something. Do I maintain eye contact? I'm being straight with you. Do I answer fast? I'm downplaying it. Do I pause for 5 seconds? It's worse than I want to admit. That's what most people miss. They think questions are just about getting information, but you're also watching me react, and my reactions tell you the truth. So you ask specific questions, watch how long I take to answer, watch my body language. That's how you learn what's really going on. Generic questions make you forgettable. Real questions make me think, this person is sharp, and I hire sharp people. I'm launching School of Interviews in March. I'm picking 10 people from the comments for a 30-minute call, absolutely free. I'll help you with your interviews, you help me understand what you need. If you want one of those spots, simply comment, call.