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Turning the Tables: Appropriate Questions to Ask the Interviewer During the InterviewJun 17 '01 Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line Advice on what to ask (and what not to ask) during an interview. Recently, I interviewed candidates for second interviews for a high level position. For the second interview round, our hiring selection panel had it narrowed down to three really strong candidates, so it was going to be a difficult decision. Each candidate had strong qualifications and interviewed well. There is several times in which this happens, so a determining factor can be the well-prepared candidate. In this particular situation, that candidate “did their homework” by asking some very smart questions about the position toward the end of the interview. This made me think that this candidate was conscientious, prepared and enthusiastic about the position. Do Employers Expect You To Ask Some Questions? The answer is affirmatively yes. Employers want the candidate to be prepared and proactive during the interview process. There is nothing more disheartening for me when I complete the interview, and ask “Do you have any questions for me?” and the candidate says “no.” I know that I couldn’t possibly have answered every question they had, so it can appear that they are not assertive enough, or have thought the position out. I have had some candidates write down questions during the interview, which is perfectly acceptable. Acceptable Questions To Ask 1. “How may employees work for the company” or “How many locations do you have”? Either question would appear as if you are forecasting the “big picture” in terms of the company’s growth. 2. “Is this a new or existing position?” This will help you determine if there was a person you would be replacing, or if this is a role that you will be the first to help develop. 3. “Is there a training period?” This is a good question to find out how long the expected training period will be, and whether or not there will be others to train you for the position. 4. Promotions from within? 5. Benefits Questions: You may ask some benefit questions. You need to determine as much information as possible when evaluating the position. However, keep in mind, that when you ask several specific benefit and compensation questions, it may appear as if you are “shopping the competitor”. (Which is an old trick that Human Resource and other business people do, when they pretend to be searching for a job, when in fact, they are trying to determine a competitive rate and benefits for their own positions.) Your best bet in this situation is to research the benefits before the interview (check the company web site), and get clarification during the interview. Most employers will also provide a benefit summary by request. Here are some questions that you could ask regarding benefits: Medical Insurance: • “Is there a deductible or co-pay?” • “Is there pharmaceutical coverage?” • “Does the company offer 401k?” or “Is there a employer match or contribution with 401k?” • Does the company offer tuition reimbursement? 6. You may ask about company parking, if it appears to be in question. (There could be an employee-designated area.) 7. You may subtly ask about schedules or typical hours in a workweek, but do not make this a primary focus (it could appear as if you are not interested in putting in your time). 8. My two favorite questions have been: “Why do you like working here?” and “What you consider to be the biggest challenge in this position that I am applying for?” Both questions were bright and reflective, and made me think! Questions To Avoid 1. Do not try to demand that the employer give a specific salary number. Most employers have a range to work with, pending budget approval. You can negotiate a salary based on the salary range and your expectation, but when applicants try to push the issue, it can appear negative. 2. Do not ask how many sick days the employer offer. This may appear as if you could be an attendance risk. The employer should volunteer that information when discussing the benefits (or if they offer benefit materials). 3. Never ask “Did I get the job” or “When do I start?” if the employer has not yet made the offer. This may appear pushy or arrogant. Remember, that it is good to ask some questions, but in the same sense do not over do it. Be respectful of the interviewer’s time (they may have interviews scheduled each hour). Ask a few smart questions that will let the interviewer know that you are interested and prepared. Good luck!  |
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