Questions R us: what to ask at a job interview: an interview is a two-way street. And you'll cruise through if you're prepared to answer questions—and to ask them - getting hired

Career World, Jan, 2004 by Marilyn Sherman

Kyle was feeling good about his interview with a sporting goods firm. His clothes were neatly pressed, and his resume was in hand. He sailed easily through questions such as "What are your strengths?" and "What should we know about you?" But then the employer looked him in the eye and said, "What do you want to ask me?" Kyle could feel his jaw clench and sweat break out on his forehead. "Nobody told me I'd have to ask questions in a job interview!" he moaned afterward.

Kyle isn't alone. Many new job seekers overlook the need to prepare interview questions. If you go to enough interviews, you'll begin to feel like a question magnet. But sooner or later, your turn comes around. And the questions you ask can make all the difference--in how you view the job and how the interviewer views you. Here's why:

Preparing questions can calm nervousness. Armed with a list of great questions, you'll feel more confident and in charge.

Your questions can help you figure out if a job is right for you. Take the opportunity to find out all about the job--its duties, what a typical workday is like, the workplace atmosphere, and more. "The most important question of all is your personal fit with the organization," says Mary Ellen Templeton in Help! My Job Interview Is Tomorrow!

The questions you ask show your knowledge and interest level. Do enough research to get to know the employer, advises career coach Margaret Newhouse. Then you can ask savvy questions about the company's "strengths, needs, and potential concerns." Doing your homework might mean checking out the organization's Web site, ads, literature, and offices.

Your questions can earn you a "thumbs-up" or "thumbs-down." Interviewees showing up unprepared is one of the top complaints of most human resource managers, surveys show. The quality of the questions you ask could be a deciding factor in convincing the employer to hire you.

Question That "Sell" You

A key question to ask an interviewer is "What are you looking for an employee?" Variations are "How would you describe the ideal employee?" or "What's the best background for this job?" When the employer lets you in on the secret formula, you can point out how well you match up.

When Dylan interviewed for a job as a graphic designer, she asked about the ideal employee. The manager said he wanted someone skilled at Web site design, so she showed him Web sites she had done for college organizations. When he said he preferred nonprofit experience, Dylan mentioned her volunteer work for a small museum. By the end of the interview, it was clear that Dylan fit the bill.

Customised Questions

Some questions are one-size-fits-all. Others are tailored for certain people. In job interviews, you might talk with several people in different positions. The questions to ask each person differ.

A human resources person might do an initial screening. Today this often happens by phone. He or she can give you an overall view of the organization and the department. Ask general questions like these:

* How would you describe the work environment?

* What kind of person does well here?

* What are the department's strengths and weaknesses?

When you speak with the department manager, or your future boss, you can ask more specific questions about job duties, conditions, and challenges?

* What are the day-to-day responsibilities

* How is your department organized?

* What are the objectives you'd like accomplished on this job?

* What resources are available to someone in this position?

Talking to current employees may be another opportunity to gather information while you're on site for a job interview. You can often get really good feedback with questions like these:

* What do you like best about this organization?

* How much freedom do you have in goal setting, deadlines, and projects?

* What do you think are the biggest challenges in this job?

When asking questions at a job interview, always consider your audience. Put yourself in the interviewer's shoes and think about what you'd want to be asked.

Question No-No's

Make sure you do your homework before the interview. Doing a little research will keep you from asking questions you really should know the answer to, such as: What does your company do?

Questions about pay, benefits, and other self-interest items should be asked only after you receive an offer, advises veteran career coach Joyce Lain Kennedy.

These questions send the wrong message:

* What is the salary?

* Would I have an expense account?

* Do you have a good profit sharing or 401(k) plan?

* When would I get a raise?

You want to emphasize your work focus. So don't ask questions that imply you're less than eager to work hard. Here are some questions to avoid until an offer is made:

* How much vacation time would I get?

* Would I have to work overtime?

* How many sick days do employees get?

Like any good thing, asking an interviewer questions can be overdone. Watch for cues that your questioning may be going on too long.