What to Ask at a Job Interview

Although at each job interview you attend you should be well prepared to answer your potential employer's questions, you also need to go prepared with your own questions. There are a number of reasons why good questions can improve your chances of getting hired.

Asking detailed questions demonstrates that you have prepared for this job interview, that you have done your research, and that you are knowledgeable of the industry you are trying to enter. It is a good idea to ask questions that highlight the positive qualities that you are trying to emphasize - these should always line up with the requirements and role specifications listed in the job description.

Your interviewer will be impressed if your questions display your strong knowledge of the company's current strategies and goals as well as your knowledge of the job's requirements. Your goal is to show that you have done your research and that this interview isn't just another meeting - you need to convince your interviewer that you have strong knowledge of the industry, market and skills needed for this position and that you are serious about your intent to commit to this position should you be made an offer.

Before we get to some example questions, here are some quick tips when thinking about questions for a job interview:

• Prepare in advance and spend time brainstorming: analyze the job description in detail and jot down any questions that come to mind. These can be clarification questions that you may need to ask to help you get a better understanding of the position. Jot down everything you're curious about and then filter it later.
• Some examples of clarification questions are: Who will I be reporting to in this position? How many people will be in my department/team? What words would you use to describe this team's work style? Is this a new position? What is the business need driving you to hire a new employee? What amount of travel is required of this position? What are the typical business hours and dress code?
• Conduct extensive research on the company and the industry. Write down questions that point to the company's strategic goals.
• Avoid yes/no questions. You should always ask open-ended questions so that the interviewer can elaborate and engage in the conversation.
• Ask many detailed questions about the company's services and background based on your research. Take care not to ask any questions answers to which can be easily found by doing a Google search or by reading the company's website because this will demonstrate that you have not done your research.
• If it's your first interview, avoid asking questions about salary. If you are asked what your salary expectations are, avoid answering right way. You can easily retort with the question: "What is the typical range for this position?" Based on the interviewers answer, you can adjust yours.
• You will often be able to get a feel of the company's corporate culture by visiting its website, reading articles on the company or analyzing the tone of the job description. For example, if the job description is light-hearted and includes some humor, you should be prepared to demonstrate that you are not only hard-worker but that you also have strong interpersonal skills. Prepare a question or some talking points that will help infuse humor into your conversation with the interviewer.
• Demonstrate interest in the company's initiatives. Does the company have a corporate social responsibility initiative? Ask about it and share why that's important to you. This will show your interviewer that you are serious about becoming a true team player in the company and that you are concerned about company initiatives beyond your job description.
• Don't ask too many questions and stay flexible. Go with the flow of conversation until you feel that you have built a comfortable rapport with the interviewer and left a good impression.
• The interview should go both ways: just as you are trying to impress the interviewer, he/she is also interested in making the position sound appealing to you. Should you be the right candidate, you will have more room to negotiate if your questions demonstrate that you are trying to find out all the information that will help you make a decision. You will sound more confident and create more leverage for negotiating salary and benefits.

Here are some example questions to ask at a job interview:

1. How would you describe the corporate culture in the office?
2. What do you like the most about working here?
3. How would you describe the work style of the employees here?
4. Who would I be working with most closely in this position?
5. Is this a new position in the company? If so, how did the need arise for this position?
6. What are your expectations of this position for the first six months?
7. If hired, what accomplishments in the next year would consider my role a success?
8. A corporate culture that values teamwork as well as individual initiative is important to me. Do these characteristics play a factor here?
9. In my past positions, I was always actively involved with the community and corporate social responsibility. Does this company have a corporate social responsibility initiative? How do employees get involved in the community and what causes/organizations does the company support?
10. Are there opportunities for advancement within this department? What is a typical career path for someone entering the company at this level?
11. What does the benefits package look like for this position?

Remember, when in a job interview ask questions that not only show your interest in the company but also point out your strengths and motivation. You will be able to enhance your positive attributes, demonstrate that you are a great fit for the position, and show your strong interest in the company.