You’ve been there. The interview is winding down. The recruiter leans back, smiles, and asks the inevitable: “So, do you have any questions for us?”
Most people panic. They reach into their mental folder of "safe" questions and pull out a snooze-fest like, “What does the company culture look like?” or “What’s a typical day in this role?”
Here’s the truth: those questions are boring.
They don’t tell the interviewer anything new about you, and they usually get you a rehearsed, corporate answer that doesn't actually tell you if you’ll be happy there. It’s time to stop performing and start connecting.
In my book and The Pep Kit, I talk about flipping the script. You aren't just an applicant; you're a professional having a high-level conversation.
Let's dive into the three "Heavy Hitter" moves that will make them remember you long after you leave the room. ⚡
1. the takeaway question
Imagine you’re sitting across from someone incredibly successful, maybe even an idol. You wouldn't waste that time asking about their "benefits package." You’d want to pick their brain.
The Takeaway Question is all about walking away with valuable knowledge, regardless of whether you get the job. It shifts the energy from "Please hire me" to "I value your expertise."
Try asking something like: “What’s the one thing you’ve learned in this role that you wish you knew when you started?”
When they answer, they’ll light up. They’re sharing wisdom, not reciting a handbook. You leave that room smarter, and they leave it thinking, “Wow, that person actually cares about growth.”
2. the flip
This is one of my favorite moves from Chapter 13. The Flip is when you take a question they just asked you and reverse it with genuine curiosity.
If they spent ten minutes asking how you handle conflict, wait until the end and flip it. Say, “You asked a lot about conflict resolution earlier, how does leadership here usually step in when a team hits a roadblock?”
This shows you were actually listening. It proves you aren't just waiting for your turn to speak. You’re evaluating them just as much as they’re evaluating you.
Remember, an interview is like a first date. You don't want to be the only one answering questions while the other person just takes notes.
3. the mic drop move
Sometimes, the interview just didn't go the way you wanted. Maybe they didn't ask about that huge project you led, or they missed the one skill that makes you a unicorn for this role.
This is where you use the Mic Drop Move.
Instead of a generic question, you say: “I’m glad you mentioned [Problem/Topic] earlier, because I actually didn't get a chance to share how I handled that exact situation at my last company...”
Then, you drop the story. You tie your experience directly to a pain point they mentioned. You’re essentially saying, "I have the solution to the problem you just told me about."
It’s the ultimate way to wrap everything up and show them exactly why you’re the hire.
it’s okay to have no questions
Wait, what?
Yes, really. In Chapter 14 of the book, I talk about the "counter-move." If you’ve had a truly great, organic conversation, all your questions might have already been answered.
Forcing a question just to "look interested" feels fake. And interviewers can smell fake from a mile away. If the conversation was that good, own it.
You can land the plane cleanly with one of these three closes:
- The Honest Close: "Honestly, we covered so much ground today that you’ve already answered the questions I had prepared. I really enjoyed how we dove into X and Y."
- The Reflection Close: "I’m actually processing everything we just talked about: specifically what you said about the team’s direction. I don’t have more questions right now because I’m excited to go back and think through those points."
- The Curiosity Close: "I don't have any logistical questions left, but I’d love to know: what are you most excited about for this team in the next six months?"
stop preparing. start telling.
The goal isn't to have a list of 50 questions to ask in an interview. The goal is to show up as yourself.
When you use the Takeaway Question or the Mic Drop, you aren't reading from a script. You’re using Guess What Energy™. You’re talking to them like a peer, a partner, and a problem-solver.
You already have the experience. You already have the stories. You just need the pep to let them out.
If you're ready to stop the "interview panic" and start having real conversations, start with The Pep Kit. Then keep the momentum going with the Less Prep, More Pep Book and the Audio Confidence Series for extra support with your storytelling, delivery, and confidence.
Less Prep. More Pep. ⚡