What are some good questions I can ask during my job interview today?

[brainshrub]

I'm interviewing with a company that organizes various "green" conventions and events. (I'd be a sales rep.)

I really want this job.

Traditionally, potential employers allow the interviewee to ask questions. What kinds of questions should I ask?

[dysfunctional press]

1. "how much vacation time do i get in the first year?"

i like to make sure that i'm clear on that from the get-go.

[ohiosmith]

2. Specific position requirements and functions. Immediate goals,

priorities, and challenges. Reporting structure. Available resources. Organizational culture. How performance is measured.

[rbnyc]

19. All good. (nt)

[Deep13]

3. "Are those your real teeth?"

Well, maybe not.

[brainshrub]

6. Oh, I like that one!

I'm sure to get a job!

[maxsolomon]

4. who will i be working with?

not in general. specifically.

[Deep13]

7. With whom will I be working?

Don't want to give any reason for passing you over.

[maxsolomon]

25. funny

some jobs you don't want

[MissMillie]

5. Which conventions/events has the company organized in the past?

What was the attendence to those conventions/events? What do you think attributed to the success of said events? How could they have been better?

[Deep13]

8. "Who do I have to fuck to get a job around here?"

Hmmm, on second thought, better skip that one.

[brainshrub]

9. Well, I suppose that would depend on the job.

;)

You might be interested in some other bad answers here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=5248117&mesg_id=5248117

[SteppingRazor]

10. Benefits!!

Make sure you've covered all the health benefits upfront -- what about dental? visual? PPO or HMO? etc., etc.

[fleabert]

11. best closing question ever...

what reasons do you have to not offer me the job today? (if they are stunned into silence, like some have been for people I know, say this : "I am very interested in working here and would love the opportunity to address any barriers, if there are any, to my being offered this position." and then shut up.)

One of the biggest mistakes people make interviewing is not allowing natural silences- trying to fill the gaps with noise. Take time to think, and measure your responses. And allow the interviewer to do the same. Don't fill the silence with jibber jabber. ;-) It was the best lesson I ever learned.

Good luck!

[rbnyc]

18. True.

After a question like that, you HAVE to shut up.

Just like asking a donor for big money. Once the ask is out, shut your mouth--the other person has to say the next word. If you talk, you will only undo yourself.

[LynneSin]

28. I use to sell cars and our #1 rule when negotiating.....

"He who speaks first loses"

Basically after you give them your offer - shut the hell up and make them speak first. Hell I would clasp my hands together with my index finger in the air and put that finger over my mouth - kinda like I'm contemplating or something. But it was a reminder to not speak at all until they did first

[Orrex]

31. Wow--does that work?

I can't help feeling that if I asked that question, I'd get one of two responses:

1. "Well, the final decision isn't up to me. I'd need to consult with HR and management before I could answer that. Blah blah blah..."

or

2. This guy's a troublemaker masquerading as an eager go-getter. Put him in the "probably not" pile

==========================================
But hey, if it works for you, that's super!

[fleabert]

34. everyone I know that has used it has gotten the job, and been told

afterwards that it clinched the interview. You have to have the goods to back it up, it's a gusty question. My husband has asked it twice, and I know both times he was speaking with at least one of the decision makers- so perhaps one should keep that in mind. He doesn't come across like an asshole the rest of the interview, so I think the question frames him as someone who is really serious about the prospect and wants to lay it all out on the table- not beat around the interview bush, so to speak.

the other few people - I don't the circumstances as well. But I know they got the job. :-)

I would respond to 1. with the reply: Well, what I'd like to be able to do is address any questions or concerns you have, so I can do my best to make it to the next round of interviews with HR- what if you had to make the decision right now?

I would be pretty agressive if I really wanted and felt i was the best qualified for the job.

[sbj405]

12. Where do they see the company in five years?

Turn around one of the standard interview questions. Also, shows that you are interested in becoming a long term employee.

[rbnyc]

13. Good one. (nt)

[lizziegrace]

14. Biggest challenges the company is facing

biggest challenges for the position. Successes for both as well.

When discussing challenges, bring up how you can help overcome those obstacles.

[rbnyc]

17. Awesome. (nt)

[HEyHEY]

15. "What time's break?"

[rbnyc]

16. What happened to the last person in this position?

How long have you worked here?
What's the turnover like? How long has the average employee been with the organization?
How many positions are filled by promoting from within vs. hiring from the outside?
What kinds of trainings and continuing education programs are offered or supported?

Also, do research and ask questions that reference your research.

For example, when I interviewed this position I'd seen in the annual report that foundation giving was down while individual giving was up, so I said that I had seen that trend and wanted to know what the ED thought accounted for it. I also noticed that the ED and a VP had gone to the same school, so I asked if they had known each other in school. The point was to show them that I'd done my homework.

You want to show that you have spent time learning about the organization and that you want to place yourself with an organization that you can commit to for the long term.

Don't ask about benefits, compensation, vacation in the first interview.

It's great that you realize that you are interviewing them.

Good luck.

[lizziegrace]

22. Turnover in the positon you're applying for is important!

I foolishly took a position with a company that had 5 people in that same job in 18 months. Needless to say, it was a HUGE mistake working there.

[NewJeffCT]

20. ask about how their organization is structured...

and, what they expect from you in the first several months on the job.

[Ivan Sputnik]

21. These are some good questions to ask

How would your current employees describe your management style?
How frequently do you meet with members of your staff (both in meetings and one-on-one)?
Could you describe how you delegate?
What measures would you use to determine if I were successful in the first six months? First year?
What advancement opportunities have others experienced who worked for you?
How long have people on your staff been in their current jobs?
What is the turnover in your area?

[raccoon]

29. Those are all great! And might help you determine if you're

interviewing with a bad and/or bullying boss.

[Xipe Totec]

23. Whoever is talking is selling

If they're talking and you're listening, they want you.

If you're doing all the talking, it's the other way around.

Just some observations, having been on both sides of the interview process.

Smile a lot, nod your head, let them come to you.

The less you say, the less likely you are to make a mistake.

Above all, don't let them know how hungry you are.

Good luck!

:thumbsup:

[rbnyc]

26. On one hand, I see what you're saying...

...but I wouldn't hire a person who didn't have questions prepared. Nor would I hire a person who appeared to have trouble being assertive.

There's nothing really wrong with selling, as long as you're good at it.

[Scout1071]

24. How did the position become available? How long was the previous

employee in that position?

That might help in determining whether there are advancement opportunities. If someone left after 3 months, 6 months, etc., you might want to dig a little deeper before accepting a job.

Other than that, good luck!

[LynneSin]

27. Will my company car be a Hummer, Navigator or Escalade?

m'kay - just having fun here

Good luck - they'll absolutely adore you!!!

[Orrex]

30. Here are a few

What's that smell?
Can I borrow five dollars?
Where's the shredder?
Where's the shitter?
Do these look real to you?
Who's that jerk in Accounts Payable?
How about some coffee, toots?
What color is your parachute?
Are you the one they call the "Old Fart?"
Can I get on the internet from here?

[LynneSin]

33. Can I use get on internet from here? How about

Do you filter out the porn sites from work?

[JVS]

32. Are there orgy-fridays, or merely casual-fridays?

;-)

[Jade Fox]

35. If this is a small company (not a Corp).....

asking a lot of questions about how they got started, how they want to improve things, etc. is good IMO. People who have started small companies have usually put gobs of time, energy, and frequently money into those companies, and appreciate the chance to talk about it. (This is assuming you are being interviewed by owners/directors/fellow employees and not some anonymous HR person). If this is a job where you'll be working independently, you need to show some initiative in the interview, and leave them with the impression you can grab the ball and run with it. Don't overdo it of course. Stay completely positive, and don't start advising them on how they've screwed up in the past, etc.

I've done job interviewing, and applicants usually leave out the essential element of appearing to be really interested in what the company/organization does.

Good Luck! :hi: