Interviewing the Interviewer

Do you have any questions for me?

It is quite possibly the most difficult question that you can receive during an interview. If you don’t have any questions, you risk looking ill-prepared or as though you don’t care about the position. Researching the company and coming to the interview prepared with intelligent questions will help demonstrate to the interviewer that you are engaged and serious about the opportunity. Thorough preparation is also an opportunity for you to show off your research and critical thinking skills. But, most importantly for you, well-prepared questions can help you explore whether the job is a good fit. By preparing ahead of time, you can determine what is important to you in your future role and what additional details you need to uncover to decide if the job fits your criteria.

Of course, you shouldn’t commandeer the job interview and scrutinize your interviewer. But you can take the opportunity to obtain a better understanding of the company and the role. Below are some potential topics to explore during your next job interview.

Typical work day

Find out what your everyday tasks will look like if you are offered the job. What will you be expected to handle on a daily basis, will you be required to use certain tools or programs, will you collaborate with clients or outside resources, with whom will you work, will you have managerial responsibilities, etc. Learn as much as you can about the day-to-day details of the position.

Division of Responsibilities

Dig deeper into the job position and find out the percentage of time you will spend on each of your responsibilities. With this information, you can decide whether the role concentrates enough on your talents and interests.

Interviewer’s Career Path

Learn about your interviewer’s path to the company, including why he or she came to the company, how long he or she has been with the company, and what his or her job entails. Delve into the interviewer’s career growth within the company and experience working for the company to obtain a first-hand career account.

Job Favorites

Ask you interviewer about his or her favorite aspects about the company. This question can give you some quick highlights about the company and give you a glimpse into the company’s personality.

Company Culture

Explore what it is like to work at the company, including the general atmosphere, co-worker interactions, relationships between supervisors and employees, and transparency. Figuring out whether your personality will mesh with the company’s culture may be key in determining whether you will be happy working there.

Hierarchy

Learn more about the reporting structure at the company, including your line of supervisors and any employees or groups that you may manage. Use this topic as an opportunity to explore room for growth and advancement within the company.

--Mary Kate Sheridan, Vault.com