Interview questions, you should and shouldn't

Lesson learned: Plan ahead and use caution when you take the floor in an interview.

Questions you should ask in an interview:

• How would you describe the company’s culture and leadership philosophy?


• Can you please show me some examples of projects that I’d be working on?


• What is the single largest problem facing your staff, and would I be in a position to help you solve this problem?


• What specific qualities and skills are you looking for in the job candidate?


• Is this a new position, or did someone leave? If someone left, why did they leave or what did they go on to do?


• What is the typical career trajectory for a person in this position?


• What would you say are the three most important skills needed to excel in this position?


• Who would be my manager, and will I have the opportunity to meet him or her?


• Why do you like working here?


• What does a typical day or week look like for the person in this position?  Is there travel, flextime, etc?


• How do you see this position contributing to the success of the organization?


• What do you think distinguishes this company from its competitors, both from a public and employee perspective?


• Does the company offer continued education and professional training?


• How can I best contribute to the department?


• What particular achievements would equate to success at this job? What would success look like?


• Are you most interested in a candidate who works independently, on a team, cross-functionally, or through a combination of them all? Can you give me an example?


• What is your ideal communication style with your staff? Do you meet regularly with your team, rely heavily on e-mail, use status reports or work primarily through other means?


• How do you see me as a candidate for the job in comparison with an ideal candidate?


• Do you have any concerns about me or about my qualifications that may prevent you from selecting me for the job?


• What is the next step? When do you think you will be making a decision?

Questions to avoid in an interview:

•  Never ask for information you could have easily found with a quick Google search.


• Never ask if you can change the job details, the schedule, or the salary.


• Never ask many questions about the interviewer’s background.


• Never ask about pay, time off, benefits, etc. (Wait until later in the process to inquire about these things.)


• Never ask “What does your company do?”


• Never ask “If I’m hired, when can I start applying for other positions in the company?”


• Never ask how quickly you can be promoted.


• Never ask “Do you do background checks?”


• Never ask about gossip you’ve heard.


• Never ask if the company monitors e-mail or Internet usage.