Job Interview Questions: What To Ask and What No to Ask

At the end of most interviews , the hiring manager will ask if you have any questions about the position. Even if the interviewer was as clear as they could be on the position, it is a good idea to have some interview questions prepared. It shows initiative and it allows you to gather more information that you otherwise might not have known. Your questions should be phrased in a way to get the most info out of the interviewer; in other words, you should avoid asking things that can be answered with a simple "yes" or "no." Coming up with these great job interview questions can be hard, so here are some examples to help you along:

  • "How do you see this position developing in the future?"-This is a great question to ask because it will allow you to find out whether there could be any opportunity for growth. Nobody wants to be stuck in a career with no potential for growth, so it's important to get any information you can.
  • "How would you describe your employees and the atmosphere here?"-No hiring manager would ever tell you anything bad about their company, but that is not the goal with this question. Many companies often talk about finding the "perfect fit" for their organization, so this question can help you find out what unique qualities you could bring to the table.
  • "What would you say are the biggest challenges facing your company today?"-This question gives you the opportunity to present yourself as a solution for whatever needs the organization might have.
  • "What would you say is a typical week working in this position?"-You should already know what the job entails, but you can get an even better idea of what your work week will be like by asking this question. It will also allow you be well prepared for your responsibilities should you get the job.

On the flip-side, here are some questions you should avoid:

  • "If I get the job, can I adjust my schedule so I can attend [insert activity here]?"-This is a big no-no. There's no better way to turn off a potential employer than to ask for time off before you even begin working. If it's something really important (like a funeral, family gathering, etc), you can figure out those details when you get the position. It may seem polite to mention this in advance, but the interview is really not the place to bring up this subject.
  • "What does your organization do?"-There are actually reasons you might ask this besides not doing research in advance. For instance, the company description may not be too clear. Regardless of your intentions, this question will still make it seem like you didn't do any research into the organization.
  • "When can I take vacation time?"-Similar to the first question I mentioned, this is a subject you should avoid until you actually get a job offer. It will also make you seem too eager to take time off.
  • "I have another job offer that is willing to pay me more. Can you match that?"-This is just an inappropriate question to ask, even if it is true. What is salary negotiation to one person is obnoxious to another. Besides, salary negotiations should only take place after you have an actual offer.

 

 

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