Questions That You Can Ask The Interviewer

This is your opportunity to assess the position and the organization to determine if this is a job that you want, and an employer that you want to work for. Once you have done your homework and found out what you can about the employer, you should make a list of questions to ask at the interview.

Ask questions that you could not get answers to in your research. The employer will not be impressed if you ask something which is clearly identified on their Webpage (such as "What is the company's mission statement?") or in the job description (such as "What are the main duties of the position?"). Additionally, try to ask questions throughout the process, not just at the end of the interview.

Questions About The Organization

• How would you compare this company to others that you have worked for?
• What do you like about working for this company? What would you change about this company if you could?
• What types of people seem to do well in this department/company?
• What opportunities do you see for this department/company in the next few years?
• What are the challenges facing this company?
• Do you see growth opportunities for yourself?
• Where in the company do you hope to be in five years? (This is a good way to sense potential growth.)
• How would you rate top management? Do they have a vision for the future?
• Is the company prepared to deal with technological changes in the next five years?
• Will the company continue to be competitive? How?
• What type of growth for the organization do you foresee in the next few years? Why?
• What would you say drives the company - sales, marketing, engineering, or finance?
• What kind of turnover rate does the company have?
• What is it like working here in terms of the people, work loads, and rewards?
• How strongly does the organization try to promote from within?
• What is the company's policy on training and development for employees?

Questions About The Job:

• Why is this position available?
• Where is the person who had this position before? (If the person was promoted, ask where the person is now; if fired, ask why.)
• How many people have held this position in the last three years? (If the turnover rate seems high, ask for an explanation.)
• Who would I report to? How would you describe their management style?
• Can you show me how this position fits in with the total department?
• What would be my first assignment?
• What are the short and long term objectives to be accomplished in this job?
• What are the challenges that have to be faced? What are the major opportunities?
• What factors do you feel are most important contributors to success in this position?
• How is one's performance evaluated in this position?
• How does the company promote personal and professional growth?
• What is needed to get ahead in this organization?
• How would you describe the politics of the organization? Give me an example.
• How would you describe the corporate culture (environment)?