Should You Always Ask This Question in an Interview?

I am taking career advising very seriously since I’m watching Tik Tok videos for you. This viral one by an HR professional tells the story of a candidate who went through 13 rounds of interviews and didn’t get the job. To avoid that fate, the HR professional advises ALL interviewees ask this question: “You need to say, ‘With respect to your time-to-hire metrics and my competing opportunities, could you be so kind as to share the hiring timeline for the role.’” And if the answer is “we are waiting for the right person,” you should know to move on.

Do I agree with both his comments? Yes, you should ask about process and timeline, but use your own words, not the exact ones from TikTok, which are too stilted even for lawyers. Listen carefully to the answer. If they say upfront they are “waiting for the right person,” I agree you should keep looking. Maybe you are their unicorn, but hedge your bets. And it’s always good to know where they are in the process and when they plan to hire.