Asking Questions During Your Interview  -Very Important-

By JG Côté

At the end of an interview, you will often be given an opportunity to ask questions.  Always, I repeat always ask as least some questions at this stage of the interview.  There is nothing more insulting to an interviewer than to have a job candidate who does not ask a single question.  Not asking any questions shows an extreme lack of interest in the job or employment you are trying to get.  This is a sure way to hurt your chances of getting the job you've worked so hard to try and get.  So, make very sure that you prepare yourself to ask at least some questions during the interview.  Also keep in mind that this does not have to be an added stress thrown on top of all the other "interview stresses".  Asking questions can actually be fun and give you a chance to take control of the interview process.  The key is to do it properly. 

There are some good questions and some bad questions to ask.

Good Questions:

- When will a hiring decision be made?

- Will everyone who was interviewed be contacted once a decision is made?

- What are the opportunities for advancement within the company?

- What would the start date be? Is there any flexibility?

Bad Questions:

        - How much does the position pay? (unless they bring it up)

        - Do I get a company vehicle?

        - Do I have to work overtime if I don’t want to?

        - How big will my office be?

Keep the questions basic and try to stay away from the money topics.  You do not want to come across as someone who is only interested in money or themselves.  You want to give the impression that you will bring value to their organization and be a good contribution to the team.  There will be a place and time to talk about money and other touchy topics; however this is not it (see the job negotiation articles).  However, you should be prepared to give a dollar figure of what you would be willing to work for.  The interviewers may decide to ask you what salary you are expecting during the actual interview and you do not want a figure that is too high (scare them off) or too low (short change yourself), so do your research prior to the interview.