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?