Questions to Ask in an Interview

When preparing for interviews, alumni are often confused about appropriate questions to ask the interviewer. Always be prepared with at least 5-8 questions that could not be answered by basic web research. Lack of questions may imply minimal preparation or that you are just uninterested in the position. Shy away from salary questions in the first interview unless initiated by the employer.

The following list may give you some ideas as you prepare for your next interview:

What would you add to the list?

Position Description

• Can you tell me about the primary people with whom I would be interacting?
• Are support services are available to carry out the responsibilities of this position?
• To whom would I be reporting? Will I have management responsibilities?
• How and when would my performance be evaluated?
• Could you describe a typical day?

Career Paths

• Are you willing to describe the career path this position offers?
• How does this position fit into the organization chart?
• Could you tell me about the people who have preceded me in this position and in the department? Where are they now, and what are they doing?
• How are promotions or transfers determined within the company?
• Does advancement to upper management usually require an advanced degree?

Education & Training

• What additional training might be necessary for this position?
• Are there training programs available to me so that I can learn and grow professionally?

Judgment Questions for Interviewer

• What kind of personal attributes and qualifications does your company value?
• What skills are necessary to succeed in this position? What do you consider ideal education/experience for this position?
• What is the most significant challenge facing your staff now? Is there anything unusually challenging about this position?
• What have been some of the best results produced by people in this position?
• What are the 30/60/90 day projections for this department/position? (Specify type of projections, e.g. sales, production, products, profits, etc.)
• What are some ways that previous people have had an impact?
• Where do you see your company going in the next 5 years?
• What are your plans for expanding the (research, programming,  etc.) departments?

General Questions for Interviewer

• Are there any additional questions or concerns about my qualifications (resume) that I can answer?
• What are the backgrounds of the leading individuals in my area of interest?
• Are there any other assignments not specifically mentioned in the position description? 
• What do you like most about working for XYZ company?
• When do you expect to make a hiring decision for this position?

UK Alumni Career Spotlight - James W. Stuckert

We recently spoke with Mr. James Stuckert about his career and asked him to share a bit about his professional journey. Mr. Stuckert is extremely active on campus volunteering on many committees and attending annual campus events.

Mr. Stuckert received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering (1960) and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (1961) from UK. His first job after college was with Cummins Engine Company in Columbus, Indiana. After a few years, Mr. Stuckert realized that his true passion was the stock market and finances. Subsequent to interviewing several firms, Mr. Stuckert joined W.L. Lyons & Company. After just six years, he became a partner of the then merged J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons & Company. He was responsible for equity trading at Hilliard Lyons prior to assuming the roles of Chairman and CEO in 1995. He has served on the Board of Directors of Hilliard Lyons, Inc. since its incorporation in 1972 until his retirement as Chairman of the Board in 2003.

As for advice, Mr. Stuckert shares repeatedly “Don’t get discouraged. Keep going. Do what you love!” He also encourages everyone to watch Steve Jobs’ inspirational Stanford graduation speech. When hiring, Mr. Stuckert says that he always tries to find candidates who are self-starters and those who have “moxy” – the ability to look at a situation and figure it out. As a manager, he has mentored many young professionals and uses six tenets as a guide. These tenets transcend many industries.

1) Clients are first and foremost

2) Maintain uncompromising Integrity

3) Keep it Simple

4) Hire and invest in the best

5) Do the right thing right

6) Utilize a teamwork approach

Mr. Stuckert is a Past President of the National Alumni Association and still remains on the Board of Directors. In 1980, he received the Distinguished Service Award for Exceptional Service to the University of Kentucky Alumni Association.

Mr. Stuckert serves as Chairman of the Board of the University of Kentucky Development Council. He was the Chair of the Capital Campaign recently concluded, which raised over $1 Billion for the University of Kentucky. Mr. Stuckert also chaired the Corporate and Foundation Committee for the new William T. Young Library Campaign in the early 1990s. Mr. Stuckert is a UK Fellow.

Mr. Stuckert was inducted to the Alumni Hall of Fame at the University of Kentucky Carol Martin Gatton College of Business and Economics in February 1997. He was also elected to the University Of Kentucky Hall Of Distinguished Alumni in May 2000, and was inducted into the School of Engineering Hall of Fame in April 2002.

As of July 1, 2009, Mr. Stuckert was appointed to the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees for a term of 6 years. His wife, the former Diane Vittitow of Owensboro, along with their three children, Steve, Susie and Scott, are all graduates of the University of Kentucky.

Interview Blunders

From time-to-time I see a list of interview blunders. In working with recruiters and human resource professionals they quickly confirm items on the list. Many of the following seem so obvious, yet they continue to be common issues for candidates when interviewing. Review the following and share what you would add.

1) Failing to Prepare - going beyond what is on the official company website
2) Poor Communication Skills - talking too much or too little
3) Inappropriate Dress
4) Failing to Answer the Interview Question or Sketchy Answers
5) Badmouthing Former Bosses or Employers
6) Forgetting to Follow-Up

Social Influence Scores and Your Future Career Path

AOL recently shared that the next wave of employment and hiring trends may have a lot to do with your social influence rating. If you have a Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter account, you are already being scored. Companies such as Klout, PeerIndex and Twitter Grader are also beginning to score people in such areas as influence and how many followers or friends they have accumulated. Did you post something that caused others to respond or act?

While employers have been using Google for quite some time to conduct background research on possible candidates, social influence ratings are about to take things to a whole new level. The Federal Trade Commission has recently allowed background check company Social Intelligence to start using information on social networking sites as part of routine background checks. Information that is Federally and State protected is excluded from the reports. Perspective employers will be able to obtain a report that has information on your Facebook likes, photos, LinkedIn special groups, tweets, blog comments etc. This could be cause for concern if employers find digital dirt that may reflect poor judgment, illegal activity, or questionable behavior on your part. On the positive side, employers will also have access to information that would be viewed favorably such as professional recognition and involvement.

So use this as a wake up call to review your social media privacy settings and be even more cautious of anything you would not want an employer to find.

Things To Do When You Have A New Boss

Even though you may not change jobs, from time-to-time you are likely to have a new boss. Be open minded about change and use this time as a career management opportunity. First, when the new boss arrives, take time to share with them what you do in your job. We can't assume the new boss will know each report's job description. Specifically, share with them how your position contributes to the organization's bottom line, mission, or goals. Also, discuss your current and projected projects. Ask if these will still be priority for the new manager or management team. There may be different priorities and it is best to know this up front so that you can readjust and quickly fit it. Additionally, take time to learn their management style and how they like to receive information. Best of all, use this breaking in period as a time to get a fresh start on your personal career goals and build new allies.

Is Face-to-Face Networking Still of Value?

Q: With social media and on-line application systems being so prevalent in today’s job search, is face-to-face networking still needed?


A: This question was recently asked during a presentation I made to a regional Project Management International (PMI) Group. Before I had time to even respond, the audience did it for me. There was an overwhelming response of “Yes, now more than ever!”

While on the subject of networking, here are some common networking mistakes. First, too many people leave home without business cards. I personally keep business cards in my car; coat pockets/suit jackets and purses, wallet and gym bag. If you are currently unemployed or seeking a career transition, by all means, have your own business cards prepared. Second, once we meet someone new, we forget to quickly follow-up. Perhaps you will extend a LinkedIn invitation or follow-up with some information referenced in your conversation. Lastly, we stop networking once we have found a job. It has been very obvious during the recession that those who dig their well before they are thirsty, land on their feet faster after a job loss or career setback.

And remember, summer cook outs are a great way to network and make new business connections.

Lots of Activity at UK's Coldstream Research Campus

UK’s Coldstream Research Campus has been in the news lately featuring many new business and career opportunities. Last week, our staff visited with George Ward, Executive Director of UK’s Coldstream Research Campus to learn more.


The mission of the Coldstream Research Campus is to cultivate an innovative community by combining UK’s research strengths with private enterprise to create high-tech startup companies, expand existing businesses and grow high-paying jobs. UK has a strong patent portfolio in drug development and drug design, plant biotech, equine health, and materials for medical implants, drug delivery systems, and medical devices. The University also has programs in emerging technologies such as renewable fuels and plant-based alternatives for industrial products.

UK quickly delivers applications to the marketplace which have resulted in long-standing partnerships with business and industry. According to Len Heller, UK's vice president for Commercialization & Economic Development, "Now more than ever it is important that we commercialize UK technology and create spin-off companies and new jobs."

Once a prominent Bluegrass horse farm, Coldstream is now home to 1,000 employees working in biotech, pharmaceutical and equine-related companies, and a wide range of businesses including HP, Coldstream Laboratories Inc. and Embassy Suites Hotel. Coldstream Park, a public, multi-use area maintained by the city of Lexington, is located within the research campus and has a network of biking and walking paths as well as two dog parks. Restaurants, shopping, the Blue Grass Airport, and residential communities are conveniently located nearby.

UK will use a new law that permits the establishment of a tax increment financing (TIF) district on the Coldstream Research Campus to help finance much needed laboratory and incubator space. UK will solicit a master developer to build a mixed-use "town center “and use the taxes generated to fund new research buildings and be a catalyst for retaining and recruiting biotech companies to Coldstream. According to George Ward, “The town center will be comprised of various uses such as offices, residential units, and ancillary services which may include food and beverage outlets, banking, a fitness center, day care, and a dry cleaner. Completion of the town center will provide the necessary social infrastructure to seed research and technology development in other areas of the Coldstream Campus.”

Recent Coldstream announcements include:

Lexington-based Tempur-Pedic, an international company focused on innovative sleep products, is reaffirming its commitment to Kentucky with the expansion of its global headquarters. The company will build a 100,000 square-foot facility in the University of Kentucky's Coldstream Research Campus and will employ 300 people, including the addition of 65 new jobs in the next five years.

UK Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory expansion is complete. In 2008, the University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory broke ground on a $28.5 million expansion and renovation journey. Now the state-of-the-art project is complete and the lab is better equipped to serve Kentucky's animal agriculture industries.

Allconnect Inc., a leading consumer services company, is locating a new in-bound sales and customer care center in Lexington. The company is investing nearly $7 million to establish an approximately 32,000 square-foot facility in the Coldstream Research Campus that will add up to 220 new jobs in the community.

Construction began on the new Eastern State Hospital in 2010, with an expected completion date of fall 2012. The $129 million facility is part of a unique agreement between UK, Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC), the state and the city of Lexington in which Eastern State will move from its campus on Newtown Pike to the Coldstream Research Campus location; BCTC will move from UK's Lexington campus to the current Eastern State location; and UK will take over BCTC's location on Cooper Drive. The hospital will employ a total of 700 people over 3 shifts.

It is expected that the Coldstream on-campus employee population will grow to 2,200 by the end of 2012.

For more information on Coldstream see UKColdstream.com. To keep up with current Coldstream news and all of UK’s economic development news, subscribe to the UKEconDev News (econdev@uky.edu), a quarterly e-news.