Is it ever rude to ask an interviewer a question in the middle of an interview?

I don’t think it’s rude, if the question is related to what you’re talking about. I’ve had my share of interviews, and I’ve asked questions in most. No one has ever gotten upset.

I’ve always been advised to ask questions in interviews. It shows your interest in the position, the company, and the interview. Waiting for the end can make you circle back to things half forgotten, reduces your retention of information and can just plain be a lot all at once.

Sitting passively doesn’t make for a memorable candidate.

Strike a balance, have a conversation. It works for me, and except for once I’ve always been offered a job I’ve interviewed for.

I feel it is a good idea. If you make your questions specific to the company, it shows you have an interest in the company and the position.

It would probably not be a good idea to ask the interviewer for a date.

e.g. Let’s say I am interviewing at a financial firm.

The company asks me about my experience with financial analysis.
I answer and then I mention that I really admire the firm’s work in bond issues.
Could I then ask them a question about their work?

No, I think interviewers like to know that you are interested and engaged, not only in the profession but that you know and understand something about what the company/firm that is offering the job you are applying for does. I think some of the same rules apply that apply to any polite conversation, in being a good conversationalist even, apply to an interview. Don’t interrupt, listen when the other person is talking, if you are asked a question, answer it, be interested in the person you are talking to and knowledgable about what they do , and in this case the person represents the firm/company so show some interest and knowledge of the business they conduct, at least enough to ask an intelligent question or two. Admiring and noting is fine but no fawning though, I don’t think, that kind of thing can be pretty transparent and you don’t want to sound like you’re only saying things to get the job. I think most interviewers can see through that.

If you have a question, you should feel comfortable enough to ask. Just make sure that you don’t interrupt. I wouldn’t recommend asking unnecessary questions just for the sake of asking a question.

Is it ever rude? I can’t say it’s never rude. But in general I’d consider it not only acceptable but advisable, assuming that the question is pertinent and your manner is both courteous and respectful.

An interview is a two-way process. If a question naturally arises for you out of the comments the interviewer is making or the questions they ask you, of course you should ask questions. Interviews aren’t just about an employer finding out if you are the right employee, they are about you finding out if they are the right employer for you and that means you have an equal right to ask questions that help you to determine if this company is a good fit for you. As has been suggested, it also shows you are interested and I think it demonstrates your confidence and that you are aware of your own self-worth.

I once had a lecturer, a retired PR exec, once told my class that you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you.

@Nullo couldn’t be more right. An interview is a two-way dialogue, to determine if both sides are right for each other. The job applicant shouldn’t approach the process as if they were a supplicant.

As one who has interviewed a countless number of persons for positions, I consider it odd if the person doesn’t ask questions, on-topic or off. Shows me he or she is curious and therefore interested in the job, the company, its business and its customers or clients. Curious people make companies grow.

There are a few different philosophies on interviewing…
One argues that the interview should be more like a conversation (especially if you are interviewing someone about “sensitive” material).
So…no, it’s not rude to ask a question during an interview. In fact, many interviewers encourage the rapport.

I always ask questions during the interview….I don’t wait until the end. Because the job ad doesn’t always explain everything about the job or what they are talking about sparks a question you didn’t know you had….Also because If I don’t like what I’m hearing I don’t want to waste my or their time with the rest of the interview.

If I get an interview, 97% of the time I get offered the job…so it can’t be too wrong

As an interviewer, I would encourage you to only ask real questions for which you want an answer to know more about my company. Do not use a question to disguise an attempt to show off how much you know about my company because it can totally backfire on you. Also, if I can’t get through my list of questions for all of your questions, I might think you would be a difficult person to train.

I agree with the other responses that it’s not rude to ask questions during the interview, provided that they’re appropriate and relevant to that part of the interview.

Here’s a suggestion, though: Take a notepad and pen with you, and if there’s anything that comes up that you’d like to ask about, make a note. That way, if there isn’t an appropriate break or if you can’t ask a question without interrupting the interviewer, you won’t forget what you wanted to ask.

If he pauses, I guess he’s waiting for an answer from you. If he doesn’t pause, you risk interrupting him.

What @Nullo and @Kayak8 said might sound mutually exclusive, but I’d say they’re both spot-on. When you ask a question, you are revealing some information: something you know, something you’re curious about, something you picked up, so by “interviewing them” you not only learn about them (assuming the questions are answered), but you also give them an idea about what is on your mind. Which is why it’s important to only ask relevant questions, and not just ask for asking, or worse, to show off.

No. Start with ‘May I ask a question at this point?’.

As long as the interviewer isn’t talking , then it should be fine , though they usally ask you at the end of a interview if you have any questions .

Personally I wait until the interviewer makes significant pause. In this instance I then interject using the words “if I may”, “I see, however…”, or “going back to the topic of…”

Asking questions during an interview is very important. Just make sure the questions are relevant to the topic you are currently discussing. It’s all about the timing and the vibe you get from the interviewers. Asking too many questions and/or irrelevant questions of course is not a good thing.