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I’m surprised how many folks on this thread if the candidate doesn’t have questions at the beginning of the interview they’re no good. I NEVER have questions at the beginning, I might get them during the interview but by the time the interview has begun I’ve learned everything I need to know about the company for that minute.

I may have an interview this week. First one in a long time.

I have a one paragraph blurb about the position, and a brief conversation with the recruiter who knew almost nothing about the specifics of the position.

They have a multi-page resume of mine with details going several positions back (this is for a technical position), plus their online application and all it's questions.

I have a vague idea of what the salary might be, but nothing firm.

So basically, I'm going in knowing almost nothing about the job, and they know a heckuva lot about me, and the recruiter actually asked me already what salary I was expecting. I'd actually know even less if I didn't have a buddy working there already.

So, sure, I've got a million questions about the job, but right now I don't have enough info to ask an intelligent question. My initial goal is to establish rapport and get the interviewer to spill some info and then I'll have to react as best I can.

I'm somewhat amazed how silly this whole process still is (been at least a decade since I've interviewed for a job). I mean, I assume a large company like this has a pretty detailed job description for the position. Would save a lot of time if I could review that to see if I was even interested or if my experience is a good match. There's only so much you can fit on a resume - maybe some of the stuff I left off would have been helpful. I assume the salary range is set - at least some inclination communicated to me might save us all a lot of time.

It's as if the entire process is designed to waste potential employee's time, and a fair amount of the employer's too.

It’s a hard process from both sides. It’s impossible not the feel like a sideshow attraction when you’re looking for work. From the hiring side I always felt like I was trying to be a radio shrink, trying to “diagnose” this person in just a few questions when neither of us is free to truly be ourselves. I’ve often felt the best interview possible would be to go to a bar, have a couple drinks, shoot the breeze, comment on whatever sport is on the TVs, maybe give the guy a couple bucks to put in the jukebox and see what he picks. Of course knowing what happened with a few friends whose relationships started in bars maybe that doesn’t work either.