1 min lesson
Questions to avoid
Compare two rows from "Questions to avoid", then say when each one fits.
Step 1 of 2
Questions to avoid
- Weak question
- "What does the data team do?"
- Why it costs you
- Answered by the JD; reads as unprepared
- Ask instead
- "Where does reliability measurement break down today?"
- Weak question
- "Is Cursor growing fast?"
- Why it costs you
- Public knowledge; signals shallow research
- Ask instead
- "What measurement problem does that scale create that's still open?"
- Weak question
- "Do you use A/B testing?"
- Why it costs you
- Trivially yes; signals you skimmed the JD
- Ask instead
- "When randomization isn't possible on a deploy, which causal method do you reach for?"
- Weak question
- "What tools will I use?"
- Why it costs you
- Fine later, but a weak seniority signal here
- Ask instead
- "How far along is the metric layer and where is self-serve still blocked?"
| Weak question | Why it costs you | Ask instead |
|---|---|---|
| "What does the data team do?" | Answered by the JD; reads as unprepared | "Where does reliability measurement break down today?" |
| "Is Cursor growing fast?" | Public knowledge; signals shallow research | "What measurement problem does that scale create that's still open?" |
| "Do you use A/B testing?" | Trivially yes; signals you skimmed the JD | "When randomization isn't possible on a deploy, which causal method do you reach for?" |
| "What tools will I use?" | Fine later, but a weak seniority signal here | "How far along is the metric layer and where is self-serve still blocked?" |
Interview move
Tie one question to something the interviewer said earlier. "You mentioned canary deploys - what's the hardest part of turning a canary signal into a confident go/no-go?" That proves you were listening and that you already think in the artifacts of the role.
Watch out
Don't save questions for the end and then ask none. "No, you covered everything" reads as disengagement in a round grading genuine interest and pace. Walk in with five so two survive whatever gets answered in conversation.