Questions That an Applicant Should Ask at a Job Interview

Asking questions during an interview requires a great deal of preparation.

Advisers often tell job applicants to ask questions during interviews. While good advice, the simple act of asking a question may not get the job. It is the customized, knowledgeable question that will impress a company. No list of questions fits all situations and each job is different. Preparation is key to asking the right questions.

Be Prepared

While it is easy to find a list of generic questions to ask at a job interview, the best questions result from research and may differ from one interview to another. Good questions come from gathering information from the company website and consulting industry journals to learn about the competition, consumer demand and industry terminology. Learn about historic innovations, current products or new markets the company may be entering. Review the job description thoroughly and determine how you might fit in to the overall organization. From this review, make a list of subject areas and associated questions you have about the position.

Types

Categorize your questions. Questions about the industry and how the company fits in can sometimes be asked as part of an answer to an interviewer's question, particularly if the interview is in a conversation-style format. It provides the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge and keen interest. A second type of question focuses more on employee relationships and performance measurement, and these are best left to the end when an interviewer typically asks for questions. These questions move the interview to a level where you can identify as an employee. However, never ask about compensation unless it is first introduced by the interviewer.

Examples

During the interview, ask clarifying questions based on what the interviewer said coupled with your knowledge. For instance the interviewer may talk about a successful product. A follow-up question may focus on the thought process in developing the product, considerations in bringing the product to market and how its success is measured. Use open-ended questions that require more than a one word answer such as: "What are your plans for expansion," rather than "Are you expanding internationally?"

Typical end-of-interview questions should focus on how you fit in with the organization, such as: "How do you measure employee performance"; "What would a typical day entail for me in developing this product" and "What are the three main objectives you would like me to meet in the next six months?"

Benefits

Preparation gives applicants the opportunity to ask customized questions that show interest in the company and allow the interview to proceed to a more detailed level. While applicants should prepare at least five questions, the preparatory process also allows the ability to ask spontaneous questions that fit in with the interview flow. For the applicant, interviewer responses often give an indication of what it is like to work for the company, including its philosophy and rewards.

References

• Virginia Tech: Career Services
• Job Interview: Interview the Interviewer