| Prepare a list of good questions to ask your | | | | that the interviewer probably doesn't have will be |
| interviewer and show that you are better organized | | | | regarded negatively by the interviewer and give rise to |
| and prepared than the other candidates. Use these | | | | an uncomfortable atmosphere. Consider the position of |
| practical guidelines to prepare your questions and | | | | the person interviewing you and be aware of the sort |
| know how to present your questions in the job | | | | of questions he or she will be able to answer. |
| interview for maximum impact. | | | | Questions to avoid asking your interviewer |
| Prepare questions that go beyond just exploring the | | | | Questions that focus on company benefits can give |
| the usual details | | | | the impression that you are more concerned about |
| Questions to ask your interviewer should demonstrate | | | | what the company can give you than with finding out |
| an in-depth understanding of the position and the | | | | about the job and your fit with it. The "What's in it |
| company. Interview questions about working conditions | | | | for me" approach is disconcerting in a job |
| or that can be answered by reading the job posting | | | | interview where the emphasis should be on what you |
| show a lack of thought and initiative. Focus rather on | | | | can contribute to the job and the company. Company |
| questions that explore aspects such as role | | | | benefits are important but the first job interview is not |
| expectations, the priorities of the position, current and | | | | the place to focus on them. Towards the close of the |
| future departmental and organizational strategy and | | | | interview you can ask the interviewer, "Where |
| management style and expectations. Your interview | | | | can I get details about the employment conditions for |
| questions should show how much thought and | | | | this position, I don't want to spend your time on that |
| consideration you have given to this job interview and | | | | now?". This shows that the benefits are of |
| that you have taken the time to conduct background | | | | secondary importance to the job itself. |
| research on the organization before the interview. | | | | Timing the questions to ask your interviewer |
| Ask open-ended questions | | | | At some point the interviewer will ask you if you have |
| Avoid closed questions that only require a one word | | | | any questions. You can wait for this question to ask |
| answer. These tend to impact negatively on the flow | | | | your planned questions or you can evaluate the |
| of the interview and provide very little information. With | | | | situation as the interview progresses to decide when |
| a little thought a closed question can easily be turned | | | | to ask your questions. If the interview does not appear |
| into an open-ended question which allows for | | | | to be flowing well asking a relevant question can help |
| discussion and the building of rapport in the job | | | | improve the situation. |
| interview. For example instead of asking "Who | | | | Avoid interrupting the interviewer with a question, be |
| will I be reporting to?" rather ask "Can you | | | | sure that it is an appropriate point to ask your question. |
| tell me about the person I will be reporting to?" | | | | If the interviewer doesn't directly ask you for your |
| Stick to relevant questions | | | | questions you can take the opportunity towards the |
| Only ask questions that are about the job, department, | | | | close of the interview to present your questions by |
| management and the organization. Candidates can | | | | asking " Is this an appropriate time to ask you |
| make the mistake of trying to engage interviewers on | | | | some questions?" |
| a more personal level by asking questions about their | | | | Not having prepared good questions to ask your |
| interests, family or their own job believing that this will | | | | interviewer during the job interview is a lethal interview |
| help establish rapport. Keep it professional and stick to | | | | mistake, it indicates a lack of interest and thought. Use |
| objective and factual questions that refer directly to | | | | your questions as the ideal opportunity to present |
| the job you are interviewing for. | | | | yourself as a positive and confident candidate for the |
| Avoid challenging the interviewer | | | | job. Good sample questions to ask the interviewer are |
| Interview questions that are designed to challenge the | | | | provided at Questions to Ask in Your Interview. |
| interviewer by demanding knowledge and information | | | | |