WHAT TO ASK ABOUT?
Your research of an organization or position may not provide all of
the information that you will need before you take a job. Listed below are some
sample questions that may be asked during the interview.
Avoid asking questions that begin with "is",
"are" and "do". These types of questions lead a person to yes/no
answers. Instead begin your questions with who, what, when, where, why and how.
- How would you describe the duties of the position?
- How would you describe a typical day in this position?
- How much travel is normally expected?
- How frequently do you relocate professional employees?
- Why are you looking to fill this position? (Is it a newly created job? Did
the previous employee leave? Why?)
- How many people have had this position and where have they gone?
- What is the average stay in this position?
- Outside my department, who else will I work with?
- How much evening or weekend work is expected?
- How high of a priority is this department within the organization?
- What are the prospects for advancement beyond this level?
- How does one advance in the organization?
- How often are performance reviews given?
- How often do the training programs begin?
- About how many individuals go through your training program each year?
- How does your company's tuition reimbursement program work?
- What new product lines/services have been announced recently?
- What is the average age of top management?
- Could you tell me about the public transportation to your company?
- How many people are you interviewing for this position?
- What are the things you like least/most about working here?
- If I am extended an offer of employment, how soon would you like me to start?
All of these are just general questions to ask, some may be answered
during the interview, and some through your research. Make sure to pay close
attention. You do not want to ask a question that has already been answered during
the interview.
5 key questions to ask at the end of the interview:
- Can you offer me this job?
- Do you want me to come back for another interview, perhaps with some of your colleagues
present?
- When may I expect to hear from you?
- What would be the latest I can expect to hear from you?
- May I contact you after that date, if for some reason you have not gotten back to me by
that time?
Good Closing
- Last Updated: 12/12/98
- Created by CSU, Chico Web Masters