Great questions to ask on a job interview

Great questions to ask on a job interview

Who's in charge?  - Ask who you'd be reporting to and how success will be measured, suggests executive coach Meg Montford. "It tells them that you are ambitious and not just a time-clock puncher." If you're hired, knowing how achievement is measured will help you get off on the right foot.

What's your management style? -  If you determine that the interviewer is also your potential manager, try to get a feel for what he or she might be like on the job by asking, "How would you define or describe your own management style?" advises Ford Myers, author of Get The Job You Want, Even When No One's Hiring. Doing basic research on the company is great, but you need to figure out what daily life would be like in the trenches.

What's your biggest problem right now?  - "This question tells the company that you're already processing how you may contribute value to them," Montford says. Showing that you're already thinking about the job's challenges makes it easier for hiring managers to picture you in that position. Listen closely, and mention some possible solutions on the spot or in a follow up "thank you" note. On the other hand, if the problem seems like something you can't or have no interest in solving, the job might not be a great fit.

Why are YOU here?  - Asking why this person has joined the company and why they've stayed will give you instant insight into its corporate culture, Myers says. If their reasons align with your own motives for wanting to come aboard, that may bode well for your happiness at the organization. If they have trouble coming up with anything better than, "hey, it's a job," that may be a red flag.

Why is this position open?  - It's important to determine if the job is new or if it already existed. Did the previous person leave, and is there an internal candidate? "If it's a new position, then you may have some input into how the job is defined, if you're hired," Montford says. "If there's an internal candidate, then that opens up many more questions in your mind, such as will the internal person have an edge among the competition."

What next?  - Two helpful questions at the end of an interview are "where are you in the hiring process?" and "when and how should I follow up?" Myers says. These show that you're genuinely interested in the job, while also providing essential information for your job search plan.

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