What are some good questions to ask potential employers at interviews?

Answer 1

Hey, try these sites to help you out....

http://www.vault.com/nr/ht_list.jsp?ht_type=10, http://www.curry.edu/NR/rdonlyres/B060E1EF-F6C6-450C-BA4F-084587A1EA4C/0/CS2962_questionstoaskemployers.pdf,
http://www.reardon-nh.com/career_advice_ask_employers.html,
http://www.career.vt.edu/JOBSEARC/interview/AskQues.htm

Answer 2

1) Why is the position you've applied for open? (i.e. was the previous person promoted, is it due to company growth, etc.)
2) How many times has this job been filled in the last two years? You need to know if it's a high turn over position and determine the cause. If it's entry level and providing other opportunities then it is likely a good position. However, if it's just people leaving there may be a demanding or unpleasant aspect of the job that you'll want to be aware of before accepting it (should it be offered).
3) What opportunies within the aligned department and other areas are possible?
4) What is the average time someone stays in the position.
5) What is a typical day like in terms of workloads, deadlines and structure.
6) What is the schedule? You need to be sure you can comply with any overtime or non-standard work hours requirements.
7) Is this position one that primarily has individual responsibilities are is it part of a team with overall responsibilities shared between all team members? If you prefer to work more on your own you may not like the team requirements/workflows as much.
8) How are performances evaluated and pay increases determined? You want to know if there are concrete measurements by which your performance will be judged, or is it based on a combination of skills (such as providing good customer service, which is difficult to specifically measure) and defined metrics?
9) Describe the office environment and employee morale activities.
10) What are the company's goals/direction for the deparment where you will be working? You may be able to better adapt this question based on the research you do about the company prior to your interview.

Some of these may not apply to the position, depending on what you would be doing and others are very similar so you need to decide which are best suited for the specific situation.

You can ask about what benefits are available (do you provide health insurance, 401K, etc.) and ask the salary range for the position but don't get into specifics unless the interviewer provides more than a canned response. Most interviewers will not provide that level of detail on the first interview and some will only discuss it with the indvidual who is ultimately offered the position.

Best of luck.

Answer 3

I've seen others answers to this question and here is my take.

The do ask list is long but the don't ask is short, so here are the dont's:
1. Anything that can be found on internet re the company/industry (shows that u haven't done ur research)

2. If it's not the final interview or if the question is not initiated by the interviewer don't talk about full salary package, benefits: most companies assess ur eligibility and how much u r worth during the interview process which might be many interviews and finally make an offer. Salary questions at initial stage not good.

3. Novice questions about day to day work - u've applied for the job so u should know what it entails in general. So no basic questions. Do ask indepth questions about the day to day work - eg Investment banking, real estate analyst role - I know that as the team works in real estate and you buy a lot of real estate asset for investors. So, financial modelling and cash-flow modelling would be the key. But apart from that what other day to day activities I would be involved in. i.e. u showed u hav basic understanding and want to know more indepth.
5. Prospects of moving to another department - i.e. ur not interested in this position but taking it as a way ot entering into another one.

Do ask:
1. Questions about the training, career progress, how ur division is internally organised in teams
2. Recent transaction the team was involved in - only if u r experienced candidate and u can understand their lingo and business.
3. If the company was in news recently for any reason, ask questions
4. How did the interviwer started his career - they love talking about themselves

Answer 4

Never, ever ask about pay or benefits during an interview. Only after you are offered the job do you need to worry about that. Do research on the company and their industry on the internet and ask some real questions that you come up with from the research. Ask what a typical day would be like. Ask for details about the job duties. Ask what it takes to succeed in the position. Ask what the growth potential is. And toward the end of the interview, make sure you make it clear to them that you are interested in the job (unless you're not of course). Good luck.

Answer 5

ask lots of questions about the company and demonstrate how you can be an asset to the company
if the interview is going well dont be afraid to ask questions about
hours
rate of pay
overtime
benefits
vacation and sick time benefits

Answer 6

1.How much will I be paid?

2.What does my job involve?

3.Will my job include group skills?

4.How often do I get paid?

5.What are my working hours?

6.Will I have to work at weekends?

7.Will I be paid weekly or monthly?

Answer 7

Will you give me the job. When is my first wage. What sort of clothes am I expected to wear. When is lunch hour. How many weeks holiday, and do I get paid if I am sick. Also, can I opt out of all those baby showers, birthdays, and works doooos, as they will take most of my wages, and I am only working for money, not for a life. I have a life outside work. I want the job, but I do not wish it to be by whole life.

Answer 8

how did you get your job?

does the drinks vending machine work?

who did the compulsory drunken striptease at the last works do?

do you do outdoor activity team building weekends?

if i get the job, how many free paper clips do i get, and do i have to supply my own stapler?

Answer 9

Ask about hours,benefits and what your job duties will be

Answer 10

first thing you need to know is "who will be overseeing me?" you have to know who is going to be your direct boss that you are answerable to there and then. or else you'll have a bunch of mini hitlers trying to tell you what to do.