Most job seekers are doing it wrong. They scream into the digital void, sending hundreds of resumes into automated applicant tracking systems, hoping for a miracle. It is a black hole. Dominic Imwalle, a career coach who helps professionals land six-figure roles, sees this tragedy daily. He calls it the application loop.
To break out, you need real conversations. And the most critical part of that conversation happens at the very end of your interview.
Most candidates blow this moment. They ask generic questions about ‘company culture’ or, worse, they say they have no questions at all. That is a wasted opportunity. Even if you stumbled through the technical portion, the right closing questions can salvage the meeting. Here are the two questions you need to ask.
First, ask about the next steps, but get specific. Do not just ask when you will hear back. Ask what business need is driving this hire right now. Ask when they plan to make a final decision. Too many candidates leave an interview and spend weeks staring at their phones. If you know their timeline, you can plan your next move instead of waiting around like a desperate date. If the interviewer dodges the question, it tells you everything you need to know about their chaotic internal process.
Second, ask about the experience gap. Put them on the spot. Acknowledge they are interviewing other people, then ask: ‘What is the biggest gap between the experience you are seeing in candidates and what you actually need for this role?’
This question is a truth serum. It forces an honest dialogue. It also reveals whether the hiring manager actually understands the role they are trying to fill. If they struggle to answer, run. The job is likely poorly defined. If they answer clearly, you know exactly where you stand and what pain point you need to solve.
Finally, stop obsessing over Big Tech. Everyone wants to work at Google, Meta, or OpenAI. The competition is brutal, and frankly, most applicants do not have the resume for it yet. Build a second-tier list. Open Google Maps. Look at the mid-sized companies operating right in your backyard. They have real budgets, less competition, and offer a better quality of life. Stop chasing headlines and start chasing real opportunities.
