In an interview, do you feel that the interviewer has authority over you? Should you be interviewing them as well?

An interview is really a fact finding process. Finding out how a candidate behaves in certain situations (cultural fit) and what skills he/she can bring to the table and what motivates the candidate. Every candidate should also ask questions regarding his/her future employer when appropriate (usually at the end of the interview). It is important that both parties have enough information so that they can make a decision if they are a good match or not. Maybe the candidate changes his mind when he realises that the company does not live the values that they said they would and visa versa.

When I was in my beginning of my career,I used to think what kind of questions an interviewer will ask me. I have given many interviews and failed so many times and then  after a point  i used to analyse where i failed and how I can improve my skills . Many a time Interview word is not taken seriously and treated just as term . Recently I have given a interview and now I know what is Interview its expressing your INNER VIEW to people who are trying to know , your accomplishments, how you can contribute with your experience, your knowledge to their company.

Mostly people get so busy explaining them and whether they will get this job  or not, so  one asks an interviwer  any questions -

what is the vision of this company , how far it  succeded in given mission on company website, are they growing , have they expanded their team , how they want to grow more .

Some companies ask candidates what you see yourself after5 years , why we havent asked what you have seen your company after5 years , how much growth, how many employees, how much turn over.

So you can analyse your self if this company also suits your point of view if they are inclined on growth will you get enough opportunities. I have asked these questions and next day i get a offer letter, so it makes big difference (BTW I dint join this company because of some personal reasons, but I was not from same sector it was into Mobile application like apple, Android and Blackberry and developing software was their business)

interview it's a way of answering questions by the interviewer.  they're questioning the candidates withthe  authority of asking questions to a relevant and related job application; it includes in the interviewer questionnaires are the Skills and Abilities; Knowledge in what aspects; Flexibilities and accomplishments you had acquired, and the interviewer's sometimes asked the candidates if how can they overview themselves in the future to the company that they're applying for...

and it depends if can or cannot be interviewed the interviewer.  actually yes, I'd have done it  before.  he asked me of something that's not related. so,  what i did was after I answered his question, i asked him back, same question's he asked me but when his turned to answer he just shake his head and laugh.  

yes sure why not.

None have any authority but have an opportunity to know each other and thereafter take a need based call without any compulsion.

Interviewer: What's your biggest weakness?

 Me: Sir, that would be honesty!

Interviewer: Honesty? How can that be a weakness, isn't that a great strength?

Me: You think I give a damn about what you think..seriously!

and he showed me the door.

Having said this, the interviewer has no authority over you, you cannot interview the interviewer, but you can ask about your job and the company. I only have good experience with interviewers:)

Well... The first thing you should be asking is who needs the other more. Usually, it is the interviewee who needs the interviewer. This role play is what keeps the interviewee to feel less in control and dominated. However, this could be easily changed in the interviewee's sense of attitude and response. Since when the interviewee shows the interviewer that he/she is exactly what the company needs (by demonstrating his or her skills), automatically the level  of authority is switched to the interviewee.

Regarding whether the interviewee should interview the interviewer... I would like to rephrase this, it is best for the interviewee to conect with the interviewer on a personal level and show interest in the job or company by asking questions that would allow the interviewer to feel closer and get a sense that the interviewee actually cares about the role or company.

Interview should be a Two way communication. Its not about showing authority . The focus should be on what the Job requires what are the responsibilities, How can the candidate bring value to the company. The aim should be to bring the best out of an individual rather than showing authority. The interviewer should make the candidate comfortable and he should have the ability to see what potential does the individual has.

I have myself gone through so many interviews and I found that to have success in interview dont try to dominate one has to have self belief. There are questions when interviewer is trying to pull you in his web but you have to analyse the situation and respond. Its on the basis of your CV interviewer will ask questions so my suggestion is dont have false information on the CV. Be truthful and honest.

Do you feel that the interviewer has authority over you?

Ans.  At the beginning of my career I felt that the interviewer has authority to select me or reject. But now the case is upside down, I am sure that I have authority over him because it’s me he is looking for and I accept his offer he gets a good professional and if but he would be unlucky I refuse.

Should you be interviewing them also?

Ans. Yes, I give10 –15 minutes to him in the beginning of the interview to let him know about me, but latter I ask about him (the company) if it’s the company I can join.

Have you done that?

Ans. Yes, and really stood up and went out tell him that I am sorry I wasted your time but I cannot join this company because of . . . . . reason

How?

Ans. Well I directly tell them that your are interviewing me because you want a good professional whom can hire on long term basis, same I am looking for a company where I can work on the long term basis, so knowing each of us about each other is in the interest of both of us. So would request you to tell me something about your company as well. And I do it before any financial issue is discussed. 

They only interview you and you should ask the questions you need

By definition an interview is a process of asking a series of question for the purpose of research or extracting required information. A good interviewer will not only welcome a (Limited) series of question but would actually appreciate your interest in knowing more about the role. Having said make sure not to rain all down. Keep your questions limited, concise and distinct and most importantly related to the role itself.