How to Think of Questions to Ask During a Job Interview

The questions you ask during a job interview are just as important as the answers you give to their questions. Asking the right questions shows that you can listen and communicate, and that you are truly interested in the job.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. 

   The first question you should ask is what they are looking for in an ideal candidate. This is your cheat question. Use this answer to highlight your own strengths to show them that you are that ideal candidate.

2. Always prepare questions ahead of time in case you can’t think of any during the interview. You may be tired at the end of the interview and may feel stuck when the interviewer says, “Do you have any questions for me?”

3. 

   Read the company’s website as well as other literature available to the public. This will help you avoid asking questions that you should already know the answer to. It will also help you to ask informed questions. For example, say something like, “I read that you have experienced more than a 10% growth in the last 10 years. Are there particular areas that are experiencing greater growth than others?”

4. 

   It is not a good idea to say that you don’t have any questions. Yet it is even worse to show that you weren’t listening during the interview. A good way to show that you are a good listener is to ask the interviewer to expand on what he already said. For example, say something like, “You said that XYZ Corporation is looking into the healthcare industry. Tell me more about that…”

5. You should never ask about salary and it is generally not appropriate to ask about benefits. However, you could ask about whether the company supports a license through required training or seminars. If you have that license, this reminds the interviewer that you have the license and would like to maintain it. If you do not have it, it shows that you plan on getting it.

6. Don’t ask a question unless you are interested in the answer. Show that you listened to the answer by asking a follow-up question or relating the answer to you strengths. In other words, use it as another opportunity to sell yourself.

7. 

   Before you leave the interview, ask what the next step is. This way, you’ll know how long to wait before contacting them.

Tips & Warnings

• You can find sample questions online, but be sure that they are appropriate for the job. The interviewer will be able to spot a generic question.

[greatgreat8]

on 5/21/2009 great article, questions to ask during a job interview