Mixing
Asking a question the interviewer doesn't know
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I found this related question on WPSE, but my question is slightly different.
Not too long ago I had two telephone interviews with two different companies and on both occasions the interviewer asked if I had any questions. Both times I asked them to elaborate on the technology I would be using (both job postings were vague) and they were unable to answer. I didn't end up getting either job, but it made me wonder, can it reflect poorly on me to ask a question the interviewer is unable to answer?
My intention was never to ask a question I knew they didn't know. I can only assume the answers I give to the questions they ask are being documented for review later, including all questions I ask the interviewer. Is it possible that they removed me from consideration because they didn't want to document that I asked a question they couldn't answer because it would reflect poorly on them?
interviewing
add a comment |Â
up vote
9
down vote
favorite
I found this related question on WPSE, but my question is slightly different.
Not too long ago I had two telephone interviews with two different companies and on both occasions the interviewer asked if I had any questions. Both times I asked them to elaborate on the technology I would be using (both job postings were vague) and they were unable to answer. I didn't end up getting either job, but it made me wonder, can it reflect poorly on me to ask a question the interviewer is unable to answer?
My intention was never to ask a question I knew they didn't know. I can only assume the answers I give to the questions they ask are being documented for review later, including all questions I ask the interviewer. Is it possible that they removed me from consideration because they didn't want to document that I asked a question they couldn't answer because it would reflect poorly on them?
interviewing
2
Welcome to this SE. For in the future I would suggest you leave your question "unanswered" for at least 24 hours to give others a chance to respond. I for one would've written an answer contradicting Joe, as I'm of the opinion that an interviewee should be able to answer in-depth question that a candidate might have.
– rkeet
Aug 13 at 20:41
2
@rkeet - Feel free to leave an answer :D. It might help anyone who has the same question to read different points of view, and you probably will get a few upvotes.
– user91242
Aug 13 at 20:59
add a comment |Â
up vote
9
down vote
favorite
up vote
9
down vote
favorite
I found this related question on WPSE, but my question is slightly different.
Not too long ago I had two telephone interviews with two different companies and on both occasions the interviewer asked if I had any questions. Both times I asked them to elaborate on the technology I would be using (both job postings were vague) and they were unable to answer. I didn't end up getting either job, but it made me wonder, can it reflect poorly on me to ask a question the interviewer is unable to answer?
My intention was never to ask a question I knew they didn't know. I can only assume the answers I give to the questions they ask are being documented for review later, including all questions I ask the interviewer. Is it possible that they removed me from consideration because they didn't want to document that I asked a question they couldn't answer because it would reflect poorly on them?
interviewing
I found this related question on WPSE, but my question is slightly different.
Not too long ago I had two telephone interviews with two different companies and on both occasions the interviewer asked if I had any questions. Both times I asked them to elaborate on the technology I would be using (both job postings were vague) and they were unable to answer. I didn't end up getting either job, but it made me wonder, can it reflect poorly on me to ask a question the interviewer is unable to answer?
My intention was never to ask a question I knew they didn't know. I can only assume the answers I give to the questions they ask are being documented for review later, including all questions I ask the interviewer. Is it possible that they removed me from consideration because they didn't want to document that I asked a question they couldn't answer because it would reflect poorly on them?
interviewing
asked Aug 13 at 17:43
user91242
2
Welcome to this SE. For in the future I would suggest you leave your question "unanswered" for at least 24 hours to give others a chance to respond. I for one would've written an answer contradicting Joe, as I'm of the opinion that an interviewee should be able to answer in-depth question that a candidate might have.
– rkeet
Aug 13 at 20:41
2
@rkeet - Feel free to leave an answer :D. It might help anyone who has the same question to read different points of view, and you probably will get a few upvotes.
– user91242
Aug 13 at 20:59
add a comment |Â
2
Welcome to this SE. For in the future I would suggest you leave your question "unanswered" for at least 24 hours to give others a chance to respond. I for one would've written an answer contradicting Joe, as I'm of the opinion that an interviewee should be able to answer in-depth question that a candidate might have.
– rkeet
Aug 13 at 20:41
2
@rkeet - Feel free to leave an answer :D. It might help anyone who has the same question to read different points of view, and you probably will get a few upvotes.
– user91242
Aug 13 at 20:59
2
2
Welcome to this SE. For in the future I would suggest you leave your question "unanswered" for at least 24 hours to give others a chance to respond. I for one would've written an answer contradicting Joe, as I'm of the opinion that an interviewee should be able to answer in-depth question that a candidate might have.
– rkeet
Aug 13 at 20:41
Welcome to this SE. For in the future I would suggest you leave your question "unanswered" for at least 24 hours to give others a chance to respond. I for one would've written an answer contradicting Joe, as I'm of the opinion that an interviewee should be able to answer in-depth question that a candidate might have.
– rkeet
Aug 13 at 20:41
2
2
@rkeet - Feel free to leave an answer :D. It might help anyone who has the same question to read different points of view, and you probably will get a few upvotes.
– user91242
Aug 13 at 20:59
@rkeet - Feel free to leave an answer :D. It might help anyone who has the same question to read different points of view, and you probably will get a few upvotes.
– user91242
Aug 13 at 20:59
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
14
down vote
accepted
Both times I asked them to elaborate on the technology I would be
using (both job postings were vague) and they were unable to answer. I
didn't end up getting either job, but it made me wonder, can it
reflect poorly on me to ask a question the interviewer is unable to
answer?
It probably won't reflect poorly on you, although I suppose it's possible.
You want to try and tailor your questions to the role of the interviewer. For example, if these interviewers were HR reps, they may not necessarily know or understand the technology base. That's not unexpected, since it's not their generally part of their role.
It's unlikely that it would be problematic though, unless they thought you didn't understand their role or that you were trying to "show off" or criticize them. It's not something I'd worry about.
Is it possible that they removed me from consideration because they
didn't want to document that I asked a question they couldn't answer
because it would reflect poorly on them?
It's possible but extremely unlikely.
answered Aug 13 at 17:52
Joe Strazzere
224k107662931
7
In general asking about the tech you will use reflects well on you. It shows you are interested and engaged and have thought about the job, rather than just thinking "oh well, it's a job, whatever".
– DaveG
Aug 13 at 18:15
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
As Joe Strazzere mentions in his answer, the first recruiter you get to talk to is usually not the technical guy. Especially if the first round is a phone interview, I would expect some HR worker to do that first screening. So indeed you might not get all answers then, even the trivial ones. And I fully agree with him on the answer.
I would like to add though that the important thing is that you get an answer to these question at some point in the process. The fact that the job description is so vague is already a bit worrying to me, not being able to get such a basic answer in the whole process would be more than worrying. As far as I'm concerned that would be a big no-go as I've been there, and that's the best way to get a job for which you're not a good fit, and vice-versa.
answered Aug 14 at 9:21
Laurent S.
1,054610
I agree that lack of an answer (or a vague one) could be a warning sign... even if the interviewers were "non techies", ideally they should be able to at least list the technologies used; at worst, reply that a later "techie" interview would cover that ground. Anything else (vague, evasive) might be a sign either they (the company) don't know what they're doing, or don't want to tell you you'll be using some obsolete technology.
– TripeHound
Aug 14 at 11:08
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
14
down vote
accepted
Both times I asked them to elaborate on the technology I would be
using (both job postings were vague) and they were unable to answer. I
didn't end up getting either job, but it made me wonder, can it
reflect poorly on me to ask a question the interviewer is unable to
answer?
It probably won't reflect poorly on you, although I suppose it's possible.
You want to try and tailor your questions to the role of the interviewer. For example, if these interviewers were HR reps, they may not necessarily know or understand the technology base. That's not unexpected, since it's not their generally part of their role.
It's unlikely that it would be problematic though, unless they thought you didn't understand their role or that you were trying to "show off" or criticize them. It's not something I'd worry about.
Is it possible that they removed me from consideration because they
didn't want to document that I asked a question they couldn't answer
because it would reflect poorly on them?
It's possible but extremely unlikely.
answered Aug 13 at 17:52
Joe Strazzere
224k107662931
7
In general asking about the tech you will use reflects well on you. It shows you are interested and engaged and have thought about the job, rather than just thinking "oh well, it's a job, whatever".
– DaveG
Aug 13 at 18:15
add a comment |Â
up vote
14
down vote
accepted
Both times I asked them to elaborate on the technology I would be
using (both job postings were vague) and they were unable to answer. I
didn't end up getting either job, but it made me wonder, can it
reflect poorly on me to ask a question the interviewer is unable to
answer?
It probably won't reflect poorly on you, although I suppose it's possible.
You want to try and tailor your questions to the role of the interviewer. For example, if these interviewers were HR reps, they may not necessarily know or understand the technology base. That's not unexpected, since it's not their generally part of their role.
It's unlikely that it would be problematic though, unless they thought you didn't understand their role or that you were trying to "show off" or criticize them. It's not something I'd worry about.
Is it possible that they removed me from consideration because they
didn't want to document that I asked a question they couldn't answer
because it would reflect poorly on them?
It's possible but extremely unlikely.
answered Aug 13 at 17:52
Joe Strazzere
224k107662931
7
In general asking about the tech you will use reflects well on you. It shows you are interested and engaged and have thought about the job, rather than just thinking "oh well, it's a job, whatever".
– DaveG
Aug 13 at 18:15
add a comment |Â
up vote
14
down vote
accepted
up vote
14
down vote
accepted
Both times I asked them to elaborate on the technology I would be
using (both job postings were vague) and they were unable to answer. I
didn't end up getting either job, but it made me wonder, can it
reflect poorly on me to ask a question the interviewer is unable to
answer?
It probably won't reflect poorly on you, although I suppose it's possible.
You want to try and tailor your questions to the role of the interviewer. For example, if these interviewers were HR reps, they may not necessarily know or understand the technology base. That's not unexpected, since it's not their generally part of their role.
It's unlikely that it would be problematic though, unless they thought you didn't understand their role or that you were trying to "show off" or criticize them. It's not something I'd worry about.
Is it possible that they removed me from consideration because they
didn't want to document that I asked a question they couldn't answer
because it would reflect poorly on them?
It's possible but extremely unlikely.
answered Aug 13 at 17:52
Joe Strazzere
224k107662931
Both times I asked them to elaborate on the technology I would be
using (both job postings were vague) and they were unable to answer. I
didn't end up getting either job, but it made me wonder, can it
reflect poorly on me to ask a question the interviewer is unable to
answer?
It probably won't reflect poorly on you, although I suppose it's possible.
You want to try and tailor your questions to the role of the interviewer. For example, if these interviewers were HR reps, they may not necessarily know or understand the technology base. That's not unexpected, since it's not their generally part of their role.
It's unlikely that it would be problematic though, unless they thought you didn't understand their role or that you were trying to "show off" or criticize them. It's not something I'd worry about.
Is it possible that they removed me from consideration because they
didn't want to document that I asked a question they couldn't answer
because it would reflect poorly on them?
It's possible but extremely unlikely.
answered Aug 13 at 17:52
Joe Strazzere
224k107662931
answered Aug 13 at 17:52
Joe Strazzere
224k107662931
answered Aug 13 at 17:52
Joe Strazzere
224k107662931
answered Aug 13 at 17:52
Joe Strazzere
224k107662931
224k107662931
7
In general asking about the tech you will use reflects well on you. It shows you are interested and engaged and have thought about the job, rather than just thinking "oh well, it's a job, whatever".
– DaveG
Aug 13 at 18:15
add a comment |Â
7
In general asking about the tech you will use reflects well on you. It shows you are interested and engaged and have thought about the job, rather than just thinking "oh well, it's a job, whatever".
– DaveG
Aug 13 at 18:15
7
7
In general asking about the tech you will use reflects well on you. It shows you are interested and engaged and have thought about the job, rather than just thinking "oh well, it's a job, whatever".
– DaveG
Aug 13 at 18:15
In general asking about the tech you will use reflects well on you. It shows you are interested and engaged and have thought about the job, rather than just thinking "oh well, it's a job, whatever".
– DaveG
Aug 13 at 18:15
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
As Joe Strazzere mentions in his answer, the first recruiter you get to talk to is usually not the technical guy. Especially if the first round is a phone interview, I would expect some HR worker to do that first screening. So indeed you might not get all answers then, even the trivial ones. And I fully agree with him on the answer.
I would like to add though that the important thing is that you get an answer to these question at some point in the process. The fact that the job description is so vague is already a bit worrying to me, not being able to get such a basic answer in the whole process would be more than worrying. As far as I'm concerned that would be a big no-go as I've been there, and that's the best way to get a job for which you're not a good fit, and vice-versa.
answered Aug 14 at 9:21
Laurent S.
1,054610
I agree that lack of an answer (or a vague one) could be a warning sign... even if the interviewers were "non techies", ideally they should be able to at least list the technologies used; at worst, reply that a later "techie" interview would cover that ground. Anything else (vague, evasive) might be a sign either they (the company) don't know what they're doing, or don't want to tell you you'll be using some obsolete technology.
– TripeHound
Aug 14 at 11:08
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
As Joe Strazzere mentions in his answer, the first recruiter you get to talk to is usually not the technical guy. Especially if the first round is a phone interview, I would expect some HR worker to do that first screening. So indeed you might not get all answers then, even the trivial ones. And I fully agree with him on the answer.
I would like to add though that the important thing is that you get an answer to these question at some point in the process. The fact that the job description is so vague is already a bit worrying to me, not being able to get such a basic answer in the whole process would be more than worrying. As far as I'm concerned that would be a big no-go as I've been there, and that's the best way to get a job for which you're not a good fit, and vice-versa.
answered Aug 14 at 9:21
Laurent S.
1,054610
I agree that lack of an answer (or a vague one) could be a warning sign... even if the interviewers were "non techies", ideally they should be able to at least list the technologies used; at worst, reply that a later "techie" interview would cover that ground. Anything else (vague, evasive) might be a sign either they (the company) don't know what they're doing, or don't want to tell you you'll be using some obsolete technology.
– TripeHound
Aug 14 at 11:08
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
As Joe Strazzere mentions in his answer, the first recruiter you get to talk to is usually not the technical guy. Especially if the first round is a phone interview, I would expect some HR worker to do that first screening. So indeed you might not get all answers then, even the trivial ones. And I fully agree with him on the answer.
I would like to add though that the important thing is that you get an answer to these question at some point in the process. The fact that the job description is so vague is already a bit worrying to me, not being able to get such a basic answer in the whole process would be more than worrying. As far as I'm concerned that would be a big no-go as I've been there, and that's the best way to get a job for which you're not a good fit, and vice-versa.
answered Aug 14 at 9:21
Laurent S.
1,054610
As Joe Strazzere mentions in his answer, the first recruiter you get to talk to is usually not the technical guy. Especially if the first round is a phone interview, I would expect some HR worker to do that first screening. So indeed you might not get all answers then, even the trivial ones. And I fully agree with him on the answer.
I would like to add though that the important thing is that you get an answer to these question at some point in the process. The fact that the job description is so vague is already a bit worrying to me, not being able to get such a basic answer in the whole process would be more than worrying. As far as I'm concerned that would be a big no-go as I've been there, and that's the best way to get a job for which you're not a good fit, and vice-versa.
answered Aug 14 at 9:21
Laurent S.
1,054610
answered Aug 14 at 9:21
Laurent S.
1,054610
answered Aug 14 at 9:21
Laurent S.
1,054610
answered Aug 14 at 9:21
Laurent S.
1,054610
1,054610
I agree that lack of an answer (or a vague one) could be a warning sign... even if the interviewers were "non techies", ideally they should be able to at least list the technologies used; at worst, reply that a later "techie" interview would cover that ground. Anything else (vague, evasive) might be a sign either they (the company) don't know what they're doing, or don't want to tell you you'll be using some obsolete technology.
– TripeHound
Aug 14 at 11:08
add a comment |Â
I agree that lack of an answer (or a vague one) could be a warning sign... even if the interviewers were "non techies", ideally they should be able to at least list the technologies used; at worst, reply that a later "techie" interview would cover that ground. Anything else (vague, evasive) might be a sign either they (the company) don't know what they're doing, or don't want to tell you you'll be using some obsolete technology.
– TripeHound
Aug 14 at 11:08
I agree that lack of an answer (or a vague one) could be a warning sign... even if the interviewers were "non techies", ideally they should be able to at least list the technologies used; at worst, reply that a later "techie" interview would cover that ground. Anything else (vague, evasive) might be a sign either they (the company) don't know what they're doing, or don't want to tell you you'll be using some obsolete technology.
– TripeHound
Aug 14 at 11:08
I agree that lack of an answer (or a vague one) could be a warning sign... even if the interviewers were "non techies", ideally they should be able to at least list the technologies used; at worst, reply that a later "techie" interview would cover that ground. Anything else (vague, evasive) might be a sign either they (the company) don't know what they're doing, or don't want to tell you you'll be using some obsolete technology.
– TripeHound
Aug 14 at 11:08
add a comment |Â
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2
Welcome to this SE. For in the future I would suggest you leave your question "unanswered" for at least 24 hours to give others a chance to respond. I for one would've written an answer contradicting Joe, as I'm of the opinion that an interviewee should be able to answer in-depth question that a candidate might have.
– rkeet
Aug 13 at 20:41
2
@rkeet - Feel free to leave an answer :D. It might help anyone who has the same question to read different points of view, and you probably will get a few upvotes.
– user91242
Aug 13 at 20:59