Key Questions to Ask the Interviewer
Kate Lorenz, Careerbuilder
You've sailed through the interview and you breathe a huge sigh of
relief. And then comes the killer bite, "Do you have any questions?"
This could make all the difference between being a job seeker and a job
getter.
Ask, ask, askIf you don't ask questions in the interview, many
recruiters will wonder if you are truly interested in the job. They
also need to feel satisfied that the candidate has enough information
on which to make a decision in case an offer is made.
Susan Trainer, a senior information systems recruiter, interviews
hundreds of candidates to determine if they represent a good fit for
her client companies. "It makes me crazy when I ask a candidate if they
have any questions and they say either 'No, you have answered them
already' or 'How many days holiday does your client give?' There are so
many things you can screw up in a job interview and not asking
thoughtful questions when you have the opportunity is probably the
biggest one." "This is a real chance for a candidate to shine and set
themselves apart from all the other job seekers. The questions you ask,
and how you ask them, do as much to differentiate you from the
competition as the questions asked by the interviewer," Trainer
insists. Show off your knowledge
Asking questions is an excellent way to demonstrate your sophistication
and qualifications. The questions you choose indicate your depth of
knowledge of your field as well as your general level of intelligence.
Asking questions also enables you to establish an easy flow of
conversation and build rapport. The more senior the position you are
seeking, the more important it is to ask sophisticated and tough
questions. Recruitment managers will judge you as much on the inquiries
you make as on the responses you provide. If you don't ask sufficiently
detailed questions, it will demonstrate lack of initiative and
leadership qualities that a senior level position demands.
Key questions to ask
Here are some examples of good questions you could ask:
What are the most important skills for the job?
What do you think I can bring you to add value?
What would I have to accomplish in this job to be considered first-rate?
When key people leave the company, why do they leave and where do they usually go?
What are the company's long- and short-term goals?
What do you think gives this company an edge over its competitors?
What is the work environment like?
Why do you [the interviewer] enjoy working for this company?
Who in the company would review my performance? When?
What are the opportunities for training and professional development?
If I'm as successful in this position as I should be, what might I be doing after a year? After two years?
When can I expect to hear from you?
So next time the
interviewer asks, "Do you have any questions for me?", there's no
excuse to say "no." Remember, this is a prospective employer and you
want to come across as intelligent, positive and interested as you
possibly can.
Last Updated: 29/04/2010 - 12:30 PM
