Interviewing

From:
http://mashable.com/2011/11/20/job-interview-tips/

Prepare five to seven questions, with the expectation that there will probably only be time to ask just three.
So, what types of questions should you ask? Consider a few of the following:

• Is there a work issue that keeps you up at night and, given what you know about my background, how do you think I could help?
“Here’s your opportunity to demonstrate a genuine interest in the day-to-day challenges your future manager is facing, Daniel explains. “By asking this question, the interviewer will start to envision you as an employee and will give you some initial thoughts on how you might help solve their most pressing problems.”
• What is the most gratifying aspect of the work you do for XYZ company? What’s your best advice to someone starting out at this company?
“Asking the interviewer about the most gratifying aspect of the work she or he does helps you better understand what drives them,” Daniel explains. “Drivers include things like making the best product on the market, helping others, making money, curing an illness or creating a hot, new technology, etc. Ask yourself how the interviewer’s drivers align with your own. The answer to the ‘best advice’ question yields valuable insights on what behaviors lead to a successful transition into the company. It gives you clues on what you can do to put your best forward in your potential new role vis-à-vis building new relationships, gaining product knowledge, and avoiding potential pitfalls.”
• Could you describe your ideal candidate for this job? Why are these qualities important to you?
“The ideal qualifications were probably outlined in the job posting,” says Daniel. “But many of these postings are not actually written by the hiring manager. Here’s your chance to directly ask the interviewer what he views as the most important qualities of the successful candidate and why.”
• I’m sure you have a number of goals you’d like to achieve in the coming year. Do you have a particular one that is top priority?

Other great questions may revolve around key drivers for employees, what characterizes top performers at the company and whether the interviewer would like to know anything more about the interviewee’s background, says Daniel.