5 smart questions to ask in 2026: Don’t ghost the interviewer | From Dorms to Desks Podcast | ep86

You’re in the interview room and have done a good job of answering the questions of the recruiter or hiring manager. They’re respectful and want to provide to you an opportunity to ask any questions that you may have. They ask if you have any.

“No, I’m good”, is the wrong answer in 2026. Show off your soft skills and emotional intelligence with smart interview questions.

When the hiring manager asks if you have questions, it’s your final chance to prove you’re the right fit. In this episode of From Dorms to Desks, our co-hosts reveal the “curiosity gap” and why employers equate questions with intelligence. We cover the specific scripts you need to demonstrate professional etiquette and a “human-centric” mindset. Stop fading into the background and start driving the conversation.

Tune in to learn:

• The Mentorship Question: How to ensure growth in a hybrid work model.
• The AI Question: Positioning yourself as a “pilot” of technology rather than a replacement.
• The Gold Star Question: Asking for specific metrics to define success.
• The Forward Motion Question: A bold way to address concerns and close the interview.
• Etiquette Tips: Why eye contact and physical notepads still matter in a digital world.

Read the full article at College Recruiter or listen to today’s episode at https://youtu.be/tYR67Ll7Vk4?si=qoxpCrAl7RWOvsCh .