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What to Say When the Interviewer Asks if You Have Any Questions

by: Nerelly Checo ’18

 

Interviewer: “Do You Have Any Questions?”

First and foremost, when an interviewer asks, “Do you have any questions?”, you most likely feel like

           

             

And your interviewer is just looking at you like:

However, the best thing to do (and probably the last thing you actually want to do) is to ask a question. If you don’t, the interviewer might think that you are disinterested in the position.

The best thing to do is prepare by coming to the interview with a list of questions. Make sure you have more than one question as some might get answered during the interview.

Do not ask about:

  • Salary and benefits → This is something you should hold off to until after, especially if this is your first interview with the company.
  • Personal life and gossip → Don’t ask about the interviewer’s family or home. In addition, don’t ask about any mutual connections you may have at the company.
  • Complicated and multi-part questions → Keep your questions straightforward and quick. You want to make sure the interviewer doesn’t get overwhelmed or bored. Don’t ask questions that are separated into different parts- you can always follow up with an email if you are left with any questions.
  • Things you can answer on your own →  It is essential to do your research before going to the job interview. It looks bad if you ask the interviewer something that you could have easily looked up on the company’s website or Google.

According to The Balance, Forbes and The Cut, here are a few questions you should ask:

    • What is a typical day and week like?
    • What are the biggest challenges of this role?
    • Thinking back to people you’ve seen do this work previously, what differentiated the ones who were good from the ones who were really great at it?
    • What are you hoping for your new hire to accomplish in the first three months on the job?
    • What is the history of this role? Is it a new position, or was there someone in the job before?

Make sure to take a deep breath and just relax.

As long as you follow these tips about what NOT to do or ask any of our example questions, you shall be okay. And remember, this is only one part of the interview. You can demonstrate your skills in the other questions- this is not the determining factor of your job (unless you really ask something bad).

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Meet Alum Kathleen Corrigan ’12, Manager, Portfolio Construction

Meet Alum Kathleen Corrigan ’12, Manager, Portfolio Construction at Financial Architects Partners

 

Name:  Kathleen Corrigan

Class Year:  2012

Title:  Manager, Portfolio Construction

Organization Name:  Financial Architects Partners

 

In one sentence, what does your job entail?

Designing large life insurance portfolios for ultra affluent families

 

What planned and unplanned events connected you to your industry and your first employer after Holy Cross? How did you learn/decide it was a good fit for you?  

I was first exposed to the finance industry through the Holy Cross summer internship program. After my junior year, I completed an internship at an investment banking firm in New York and loved the experience of working in a fast-paced environment with a steep learning curve.  My internship experience affirmed my decision to start my professional career in financial services, though I delayed my starting point by 1 year so that I could volunteer with JVC after graduation.

When I started looking for full time jobs, I tried to find opportunities by leveraging the career center, family, and friends. Since I was planning to move up to Boston, I also decided to enlist the help of a staffing firm, which proved to be a really helpful resource in my search and connected me to my first (and current) employer.  It was through the interview process that I could tell the role and company would be a good fit. The people who interviewed me were really smart and asked tough questions, but the whole process was very conversational and I felt comfortable being myself. That feeling has continued to this day and there has been significant opportunity for growth along the way.

 

What were you involved in when you were on campus?

Purple Key Society, Spring Break Immersion Program

 

What was your major and how did it affect your career decisions?

I was an economics major and enjoyed how the coursework emphasized both quantitative and analytical skills. I wanted to start my career in an area where I could utilize these skills, while also learning how businesses operate, so financial services seemed like a good fit.

 

What are one or two skills that you developed at Holy Cross that you use in your work?

Written and oral communication skills. As an analyst, I was always comfortable with numbers, but the ability to communicate complex ideas in a simple, easy-to-understand way is so important and can set you apart from your peers. Whether it’s an email that you send to a more senior person at your company, or having to explain a technical concept to your client, never underestimate the importance of good communication skills.

 

What advice do you have for students on campus today?

Be involved as much as you can outside of the classroom, and don’t be afraid to try something new!  Holy Cross has so many unique opportunities that you can take advantage of, which might end up being some of your favorite memories.
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Meet Alum Chad Wright ’92, Senior Director of IT, Amazon Robotics

Meet Alum Chad Wright ’92, Senior Director of IT, Amazon Robotics 

 

In one sentence, what does your job entail?  

As Senior Director of IT, I am responsible for the overall strategy and delivery of IT services, such as enterprise software, infrastructure, information security and service desk, that help our organization operate safely and efficiently.

 

What were you involved in when you were on campus?  

When I was on campus, I was a member of the Calculus Workshop (which also included the inaugural Computer Workshop) and a TA that graded lots of math homework.  Though my baseball career was very brief (one season), my friends and I played just about every intramural sport the college offered.

 

What was your major and how did it affect your career decisions?  

I was a Mathematics major with a concentration in Computer Science.  I studied what I loved and it led me into the direction of my career today.  I didn’t know anything about Information Technology and that’s why I’m so passionate about helping students learn more about the industry and be prepared for the opportunities that await them.

 

What planned and unplanned events connected you to your industry and your first employer after Holy Cross? How did you learn/decide it was a good fit for you?  

When I graduated, I had two job offers.  The first was a math and computer science teaching position with athletic coaching responsibilities at a private school in Long Island, NY.  The second offer was to join a database marketing software company as a business analyst that was much closer to my family and friends in MA.  I decided to take the business analyst role not really knowing what I was getting into, but because it was a growing company with challenging business problems and a teaching and learning culture, I decided to take a chance.  It turned out that I enjoyed the work and really excelled at it.

 

What are one or two skills that you developed at Holy Cross that you use in your work?  

The most important skills are critical thinking and problem-solving.  As a manager, mentor and coach, I find it’s very difficult to teach someone how to think critically or make them a better problem solver without investing an extraordinary amount of time and effort.  Holy Cross helped me develop my skills to look at each challenge pragmatically, to find new and creative ways to solve a problem – whether it be about people or about technology.  Leaving Holy Cross, I became a better reader, writer and listener.  These skills are critical to the success I’ve had in my various IT roles throughout my career.

 
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Meet Alum Gaby Betances ’14, Tenants’ Rights Coalition Paralegal at Bronx Legal Services

Meet Alum Gaby Betances ’14, Tenants’ Rights Coalition (TRC) Paralegal at Bronx Legal Services

 

Name: Gabriella Betances (Gaby)

Current Title/Employer:   Tenants’ Rights Coalition (TRC) Paralegal at Bronx Legal Services

 

In one sentence, what does your job entail?

The TRC partners with community organizers who help organize tenants in buildings, and I provide support on “Know Your Rights” education as well as on affirmative litigation that the tenants decide to pursue.

 

What and unplanned events connected you to your industry and your first employer after Holy Cross?   

I knew I wanted to do a service program after of Holy Cross, but the program I was interested in denied me right after finals. Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC) was a last minute application and acceptance, placing me in NYC as a Benefits & Housing Advocate at Make the Road New York (MRNY). That was my introduction to the legal field, community organizing, and the non-profit sector.

 

How did you learn/decide it was a good fit for you?

MRNY is a grassroots organization that combines services with in-house organizing. Not only were members empowered, but there was a strong sense of community, all of which made me feel so alive. I’m now figuring out if I want to work towards these values through law school.

 

What were you involved in when you were on campus?  

I was an OL, RA, Passport pathfinder, Spanish tutor, tour guide, Senior interviewer for admissions, Relationship Peer Educator (RPE), Pullshapes contemporary dance group, and Office Assistant for the Theatre Department.

 

What was your major and how did it affect your career decisions?  

I learned so much about history, culture, writing, critical thinking, and social justice through my Spanish and Latin American studies majors. I wanted to bring these skills and lenses by working with and for the community. I am also passionate about language access, and I currently work with tenants who do not necessarily understand English, legalese or both.

 

What are one or two skills that you developed at Holy Cross that you use in your work?

Super critical thinking and active, intentional listening
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Meet Alum Alex Bonano ’17, Admissions Associate & 9th Grade Health Teacher

Meet Alum Alex Bonano ’17, Admissions Associate &  9th Grade Health Teacher at Cristo Rey Brooklyn High School

 

Name: Alex Bonano
Class Year: 2017
Current Title/Employer: Admissions Associate & 9th Grade Health Teacher/Cristo Rey Brooklyn High School


In one sentence, what does your job entail?
It entails providing families with alternative options for their student’s educational future, while also guiding these students academically and personally.


What planned and unplanned events connected you to your industry and your first employer after Holy Cross?
Being a graduate of Cristo Rey Boston High School, I understood that if I wanted to participate in a year or two of service if it would have to be for the Cristo Rey Network. I applied for a position at Cristo Rey Manhattan and they gave my information to Cristo Rey Brooklyn. I received a phone call the day of my commencement, just moments before the procession and the rest is history.

 

How did you learn/decide it was a good fit for you?

I didn’t learn or decide that it was a good fit for me, because it felt like a good fit for me. Visiting the school, meeting with the students and experiencing the sense of community is what made me come to my decision.


What were you involved in when you were on campus?
I participated in a little bit of everything, but these were some of my main leadership positions. I served on the Executive Board of LASO for three years and was the Co-Chair during my second year. Additionally, I served as a Resident Assistant in Alumni Hall and then later as a Student Resident Director for Carlin Hall. Lastly, I was a mentor in the Peer Mentor Program and Writing Fellow for the Writer’s Workshop. I also participated in the Magis program before its discontinuation.


What was your major and how did it affect your career decisions?
My major was Latin American & Latinx Studies. It did not really affect my career decisions. I never thought that I would end up in Education and I am not necessarily using what I studied in my job. However, the courses that I took during my time as a LALS major, equipped me with the knowledge to better articulate and comprehend my lived experiences and the experiences of my students that I currently teach and mentor.

What are one or two skills that you developed at Holy Cross that you use in your work?
Time allocation and prioritization are two skills that I have developed during my time at HC. Because I have two very distinct positions at my current job, I have to know how to maximize my productivity so that I can utilize my time wisely. This is done by assessing how much time an assignment takes while also making sure to effectively prioritize my tasks. I juggled a lot of different responsibilities while at HC that also had varying time commitments. With that being said, I definitely utilize those skills now.


What advice do you have for students on campus today?
Do not hesitate to make yourself available to opportunities that may not be in your intended industry. Additionally, place an extreme importance on shadowing job sites and also place an importance on first impressions on the employer’s behalf. We often hear as potential employees that we need to have great first impressions, but the same is very much true for employers.
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Meet Alum Genevra Le Voci ’09, Senior Manager of Corporate and Foundation Relations

Meet Alum Genevra Le Voci ’09, Senior Manager of Corporate and Foundation Relations at The Frick Collection

 

Name:  Genevra Le Voci

Class Year: 2009

Title: Senior Manager of Corporate and Foundation Relations

Organization Name: The Frick Collection

 

In one sentence, what does your job entail?

My position at the Frick entails raising funds from foundation and corporate donors for special exhibitions, education programs, and the library in addition to growing the museum’s corporate membership program.

 

What were you involved in when you were on campus?

As a Holy Cross student I was involved with SPUD as a volunteer at Plumley Village and a member of Gesso, the student art club. At Gesso, we curated exhibitions of student art in the basement of the Hogan Campus Center. I co-chaired Gesso during my senior year. It was a lot of fun and a great way for me, an Art History major, to get to know my Studio Art peers better and to display their work. I also had two work study jobs (after I I worked in Kimball during freshman year, of course). I worked at the Archives and Special Collections at Dinand Library and at the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Art Gallery. These were both wonderful experiences–I expressed my interest in a career in museum work to Mark Savolis at the Archives and Roger Hankins, Director at the Cantor Art Gallery. They were both great supervisors and gave me the opportunity to work on projects that gave me a sense of what it might be like to work at a museum. At the Archives I researched and organized small exhibitions from the Archives collections that were displayed in cases in the Reading Room in Dinand (I worked on one of these with a fellow Art History major, which was especially fun). At the Cantor Gallery, I got the chance to assist in art handling when we installed and de-installed exhibitions.

 

What was your major and how did it affect your career decisions?

I enrolled in Holy Cross as a Classics major but I also had a strong interest in Art History (I had a phenomenal art history teacher in high school) and I took Art History classes throughout my freshman year. I didn’t officially declare a double major in Classics and Art History until my sophomore year. A turning point was Medieval Art, a class I took with Professor Virginia Raguin the first semester of my sophomore year. At that point, I knew I wanted to so something in the visual arts. Professor Raguin was an amazing mentor–she guided my through countless internship applications (and was always a willing reference) and pushed me both academically and in my career expectations. Under her tutelage, I designed my own tour of the Worcester Art Museum on a topic in medieval art, something I had never done. She and Professor David Karmon (whose classes sparked my interest in Renaissance art) also advised my senior thesis.

At Holy Cross, I was able to delve into Art History and realize what I loved so much about it–how it was a way for understanding human experience and history visually. My Art History major made clear something I had only had an inkling of when I started college: that I wanted to work in a museum, or like institution, dedicated to bringing this experience–the discovery of visual art and culture–to the public.

 

 What are one or two skills that you developed at Holy Cross that you use in your work?

Writing is a major component of my job. I am always writing proposals, grant applications, reports, and letters. At Holy Cross, I developed and honed my writing skills (because of Professor Ellen Perry in the Classics Department, to this day I avoid beginning sentences with participles). Most of the writing I do now is different from academic writing. However, I think if you are confident in writing academically, which to me is the most challenging, other types of writing may come more easily.

 

What advice do you have for students on campus today?

My advice is to explore what interests and challenges you. Take classes on subjects and topics that make you ask questions and think deeply. Go to office hours and talk with your professors. Do activities that you find rewarding. Evaluate these experiences and think “Is there something here I’d like to consider for a job and/or career?” Process this information and take advantage of the resources available on campus (the Center for Career Development and the Writer’s Workshop, to name a few).
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Meet Alum Jena Rascoe ’08, Marketing Manager at RSM US LLP

Meet Alum Jena Rascoe ’08, Marketing Manager at RSM US LLP

 

Name: Jena Rascoe

Class Year: 2008

Title: Marketing Manager

Organization Name: RSM US LLP

 

In one sentence, what does your job entail?

I’m responsible for marketing RSM’s tax, audit, and consulting services in Connecticut and Westchester County, NY – which includes managing speaking roles, events, sponsorships, advertising, communications and promoting thought leadership to our network.

What were you involved in when you were on campus?

I was a Relationship Peer Educator, which was part of the counseling center. We organized student programs that provided information and support around adjusting to new social situations, navigating difficult dynamics between peers, and adjusting to life on campus after being abroad. I was also a tutor for a 7th grader at the Nativity School in Worcester. I’ve always been interested in community involvement that’s geared towards education or emotional support.

What was your major and how did it affect your career decisions?

I was an English major, so I did a LOT of writing. I knew I wanted to leverage those writing skills in whatever career path I chose, so I started out on the editorial side of publishing. That morphed into writing and editing marketing materials… and I found I enjoyed being part of a marketing team. While being an English major did solidify my passion for communications, it also taught me to be open to different types of roles and industries – as long as I could use that part of my brain. That openness has proven to be useful in today’s job market.

What are one or two skills that you developed at Holy Cross that you use in your work?

1: A comfort level with asking questions. Intellectual curiosity – and seeking to understand the goals and reasons behind the work – is key to being successful a strategic marketer. HC gives you an environment to hone that skill, and I use it literally every day.

2: Developing high quality writing skills and an eye for detail. That’s important whether I’m writing a marketing plan, pulling a presentation together, or even writing a simple email. Many people in today’s environment are moving too fast to pay close attention to detail, so when you produce a high quality piece, it stands out.

What advice do you have for students on campus today?

Have confidence in the fact that your HC education is practical and can be applied to a variety of careers and roles. One of the great things about learning so broadly is that you’re prepared to try new things as you go through the learning “process.” Rely on the work ethic and critical thinking from HC to get you through the periods of uncertainty as you’re deciding your next step… it always leads you in the right direction!
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Dear Seniors,

 

Dear Seniors,

 

By now, we have all come to the realization that senior year is a complicated relationship. There are so many wonderful memories- partying with friends at Senior Ball and 100 Days Ball, going on the best Spring Break vacation and living everyday knowing we are one step closer to walking across that stage and leaving the gates of Holy Cross. However, this is where things get complicated. For those of us who may not have a job yet, the idea of leaving Holy Cross may not be too appealing. If anything, there might be a longing to have an extra month or even year to figure out what our future is going to look like outside of college.

 

Even though we are trained to plan meticulously and be organized here, our future is not set in stone. If we take a look back at our lives, so many unexpected things happen all the time. As Oprah said during her speech at Harvard University in 2007, “Sometimes you find out what you are supposed to be doing by doing the things you are not supposed to do.” Graduating without a job is not the end of the world. It can be a chance to take interesting classes to gain experience, find a new opportunity that wasn’t available during the school year or simply do some self reflection and awareness.

 

The important thing to know is that at the end of the day, we are finally receiving a Bachelor’s degree from Holy Cross after years of hard work. But before we do that, here are a few things you can do while you wait to hear what will happen after graduation:

 

 

  • Make your LinkedIn profile stronger

Companies may be using this time to assess your profile as they are reviewing your application.

 

  • Strengthen your resume

No matter where you are in the job search process, you can always come in to the office for Drop In Hours, Monday- Friday 1-4 PM.

 

  • Research yourself

Find out what information is online about you. Maybe you didn’t know that that crazy picture from Spring Break was public to everyone and now you know you should probably untag yourself asap.

 

  • Create a list of people for networking

You can never have too many connections. Use the waiting time to continue building your contacts, especially by using the Career Advisory Network.

 

  • Find a project to do

For those of us who may have extra time on our hands, it may be helpful to find a project that is related to what you may be thinking of pursuing. This is a great way to build more experience and skills that you can later transfer over to your resume.

 

Overall, take your time to enjoy senior year. We have the rest of our lives to be working towards building a future but only one year to have a last year of college. Everything will fall into place and it’s all going to work out at the end.

Sincerely,

A Fellow Senior
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Alumni Job Shadowing Program: Taylor Moss ’18

Meet Taylor Moss ’18 who participated in the Alumni Job Shadowing Program at NBC

 

Full Name: Taylor Moss

Class Year: 2018

Major: English/Psychology

Shadowing Visit Site: NBC

 

1. Describe your visit and what did you gained from the experience?

I was able to shadow at NBC in New York City, specifically in the marketing department for their Hispanic channel, Telemundo. My morning started with meeting my alumni and getting to know her. It was great hearing about her favorite parts of Holy Cross and how she adjusted after graduation. Then, we went over her responsibilities, and I got to see projects she was working on (and what a really full calendar looks like). She had scheduled meetings for me with her coworkers that I went to throughout the day to learn more about the company and the marketing field—they even added a last minute meeting with a sports marketing specialist because they heard I loved sports! After we got lunch together, I got to sit in on meetings and brainstorms. Seeing the creative process first hand was a great experience. Since I am graduating (too) soon, it was very helpful to see what a day in the real world, along with the workplace expectations and opportunities that come with it, is like.

 

2. How did this experience influence or connect to your future career plans/goals?

I am very interested in going into marketing after graduation and was hoping to learn even more about the field. Being able to see what a typical day in the office is like gave me a realistic view into what the day to day responsibilities can entail. There was definitely more variety than I expected, and I am excited about that—I love keeping busy and being able to pursue multiple goals. I previously had internship experience in trade marketing, but shadowing an alumni gave me insight into what integrating marketing is like as well. One of my favorite parts were the meetings my alumni set up for me with other people in the office. It was great to hear about their experiences, opinions and responsibilities while networking.

 

3. What is some helpful advice your alumni host shared with you?

My alumni host was amazing! Some of the most helpful advice she gave me was to pursue something I love and to continue to make connections, especially within the Holy Cross network.

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Alumni Job Shadowing Program: Rossangelly Toro Carrillo ’19

Meet Rossangelly Toro Carrillo ’19 who participated in the Alumni Job Shadowing Program at the McGovern School

 

Full Name: Rossangelly Toro Carrillo

Class Year: 2019

Major: Psychology and Latin American, Latinx, and Caribbean Studies

Shadowing Visit Site: McGovern School

 

1. Describe your visit and what did you gain from the experience?

My visit was an all day experience where I was able to observe Lucia Coplan in both aspects of her job as the school’s occupational therapist. For the first half, I sat in on meetings between her and teachers and/or other faculty members where they discussed their concerns regarding certain students and their plan of action. In the second half, I was able to watch her carry out her sessions with a different range of students, implementing different techniques. It was really nice to gain a different view on what goes into being an occupational therapist and what it looked like specifically in the educational setting.

 

2. How did this experience influence or connect to your future career plans/goals?

I came into Holy Cross expecting to be a biology pre-med student because I never realized how much there was in the medical field. This experience really enlightened me to push beyond the boundaries I know and search for things I never knew were there. Lucia shared great experiences from doing occupational therapy with veterans and how medically driven that was. It was nice to feel like I had finally found the profession I was so desperately searching for. The more I asked Lucia about her experiences and career, the more I could see myself in her shoes.

 

3. What is some helpful advice your alumni host shared with you?

Lucia really emphasized the importance of the Holy Cross alumni network and just how far it could take you. She was also really great about ensuring that I realized that occupational therapy is a very diverse career – it could serve in education, medicine, business. It was nice to see that I could have so many options and to hear from Lucia the path she wishes someone would have told her about.

 

4. Why would you recommend the Alumni Job Shadowing Program to other students?

It’s a great experience to see first hand what actually takes place on the day to day of someone’s profession. Even if it is something that you don’t necessarily think you’d like, being exposed to this experience might change your mind. It could also do the opposite and show you that what you always thought you wanted actually isn’t what you think it is. The experience is great not only for opening up your perspectives on different paths but also for networking. We are fortunate enough to have incredibly loving alumni and it is important to take advantage of those opportunities.