You Can Ask Questions Too

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Toward the end of the interview the employer will usually ask if you have any questions. You should be prepared to ask one or two questions; if you do not, the interviewer might think that you have come unprepared or you are not interested in the company. Use this opportunity to ask questions that subtly demonstrate your knowledge of the firm and the industry, and to confirm your interest in a long-term career position at that company. At the same time, you should not allow your questions to become an interrogation. Two or three thoughtful questions are usually sufficient. What questions should you ask? What do you see as the priorities for someone in this position? Would you be able to describe a typical day in the job? What level of responsibility could I expect in this position? What qualities do you look for in new employees? How often will I have an appraisal and how will I be assessed? Do you have a copy of the detailed job description? How are employees evaluated and promoted? Who will I report to directly and whom do they report to? Does the company have a promotion-from-within policy? What/where are the greatest opportunities for the company? How would you describe your company's management? How did this position become available? Who did the job before? What are they     going now? I feel confident that I would be able to do your job well, but do you have any     doubts about my suitability? What training programs do you have available for your employees? What are the company's plans for the future? What is a typical career path for a person in this position? What sort of time frames are involved in the decision making process? What is the next stage? What are the biggest challenges facing your company right now? What will be my first project? In which areas do you expect me to develop new expertise? Can I meet some of the people that I will be working with? How long would you expect someone to stay in this position? Can you describe your organisational structure to me? Who are your major competitors? What characteristics does a successful person have in your company? What questions shouldn't you ask? Explain what your company actually does. What are the company's rules as far as sick pay and absenteeism are     concerned? The job description states that there may be a possibility of having to do some     overtime and work weekends. Will I have to? What qualifications did you need to get your job? Would anyone notice if I left the office early every now and again? What is the guarantee that I will still have this job in a year's time? Do you think that I interview well? Can I claim expenses for getting my CV professionally prepared? Can you give me some details about the pension offered? Do I get a choice of company car colours? Will I be allowed to have regular cigarette breaks? If I don't get this job, do you have anything else to offer? How do you think I am doing?