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Interview Question Database

At the Interview

Questions to Ask at an Interview

It is inevitable.  At the end of the interview an employer will likely ask "do you have any questions?"  What many candidates don't realize is that this is a strategic part of the interview which helps to differentiate candidates. 

Do you have any questions?

This question, while often asked at the end of an interview, also reflects your preparation. You want to be able to show the employer that you have done some pre-thinking about the job and your interest in it. You may want to bring in a notepad with some questions you had thought of prior to the interview. You can refer to those questions (some may have been answered already) or ask others that have arisen as a result of the interview itself. Often if you have no questions, interviewers interpret that as either a lack of preparation, interest, or both.

Often times this last question is the biggest stumper of all. Questions? Me? Yikes. But don't hit mute and make for the door just yet. Always come armed with a few more questions, whether they're about the business itself or about your specific role within it. Doing your homework on the company will make a big difference, says Ken Ramberg, co-founder of Jobtrak.com. Perhaps a new competitor has recently burst on the scene. Inquire about the company's plans to go head-to-head. Or, says Stybel, ask about how the company is meeting technological challenges or expanding. Just don't fall silent at this moment. "The questions you ask are just as important as the ones they ask you,'' and they demonstrate your level of sophistication, Stybel said. Ask the interviewer why she works there or to describe a recent good hire. You can also highlight any qualifications that haven't been discussed yet and your enthusiasm. Use your voice and make yourself memorable.

Given that this is a contract/short-term/Co-op placement, what are the deliverables that you expect for the position?

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This is an excellent question to ask at the end of an interview as it indicates that you realize the challenges of making an impact in a relatively short period of time and that you are interested in defining and meeting expectations.

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Upon reviewing the job description, I noticed that...could you please clarify?

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As my direct supervisor in this position, what are the three top priorities you would first like to see accomplished?

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Could you describe a typical day in this position?

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This question tells you more about the position, the day-to-day responsibilities and expectations. This is an excellent question to ask if you are being interviewed by the person currently in the position.

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How does an employee succeed on your team?

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It is important to understand how the company measures success to optimally succeed. This questions also demonstrates your strive to be successful in the position.

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What is your vision for this project or position in the next five years?

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By asking this question, you will gain a greater perspective of the long term goals of the organization and the potential future opportunities. In addition, it demonstrates to the interviewer that you consider the "big picture".

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Why is this position open? Or, why was this position created?

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By asking this question, you may get insight on the company culture or a gauge on how much the company values professional development.

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What are your expectations for this role during the first weeks, months, year?

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