| The Vice President closes her notebook and says she | | | | (insert any award) in 2009. Would you be able to tell |
| has no further questions. You sit back and let out a | | | | more about that? If the interviewer is very interested in |
| sigh of relief. You knocked that interview out of the | | | | talking about this, you can also ask them who the |
| park and now you can relax, right? Not exactly. | | | | major contributors in winning the award were, or any |
| Interview Secrets Click here | | | | other details you feel are important. |
| When the interviewer asks if you have any questions | | | | • Are departmental projects usually single-owner, or |
| before the interview ends, it really isn't considered | | | | more collaborative? |
| optional. This is your time to show that you have | | | | • How does this department support the overall |
| researched the company and really understand their | | | | mission of the company? This is a great place to insert |
| core values, mission, goals and objectives, major | | | | any information you have learned about the |
| players, and key accomplishments. | | | | company's mission. |
| In all actuality, you should want to ask questions. Never | | | | • Do you sponsor employee volunteer programs |
| forget that you are also interviewing them (even in an | | | | within the community? If you noticed on their website |
| employer's market). You need to find out if the | | | | that they volunteer in the community, ask them for |
| company's goals and values fit those of your own. If | | | | more information about that project. |
| you don't, you may find yourself in the wrong job. | | | | • If I were to get this job, what would be my goals |
| Here are some questions to get you started in the | | | | for the first 90-days? The first year? |
| right direction. The key is to take these sample | | | | • How would you define your management style? |
| questions and personalize them to the company, by | | | | • What are your expectations for your employees? |
| inserting the information you gathered during your | | | | • What are the next steps in the interview |
| research. You should also only ask questions that you | | | | process? |
| care about. Don't ask questions just because they | | | | It is not recommended that you discuss benefits or |
| sound good. You need to be genuine, well-prepared, | | | | salary with departmental interviewers. Reserve these |
| and informed. | | | | questions for your Human Resources contact. |
| Job Interview Skills Click here | | | | Departmental interviewers may not be prepared to |
| • What were your key accomplishments in 2009 | | | | discuss salary ranges or benefits information, and the |
| (for the company, department)? | | | | question may make them feel uncomfortable. If you |
| • What are your objectives for 2010 (for the | | | | have a pre-planned vacation, you should discuss it |
| company, department)? | | | | during the offer stage of the interview process. |
| • I noticed that your company won a quality award | | | | |