Ask-A-Career Coach: What Are Good Questions to Ask in an Interview?

Contributed by Caroline Ceniza-Levine of SixFigureStart

A job interview is a two-way street. Employers are checking you out, and you hope they pick you. But you are also checking them out, and you want your next move to be the best one for both of you. So don’t just answer the questions they happen to ask. Here are 3 key items you absolutely need to know:

1. What is their process and timetable? You need to follow up in an appropriate way so you need to know what is the next step, when they are making the decision, and who is your main point person for the process.

How will they measure the success of their new hire? You need to know the immediate priorities, the medium/ long-term priorities and the overall career path of this position. You want to know what you are getting into and know in advance that you can be successful and happy doing this job.

Why don’t they hire you right now? You need to know what, if any, reservations they have about you. This way, you can tailor your next meetings and your thank you letters to assuage any lingering concerns.

Too many jobseekers think that answering the employer’s questions well is good enough. That is incomplete. You need to drive the process towards understanding what the employer’s needs are and how you can position yourself as their hero come to save the day. You need to get the above information to do that. So don’t let an interview go by without getting details on these 3 key areas.

Caroline Ceniza-Levine is a career coach, writer, speaker, Gen Y expert and co-founder of SixFigureStart, a career coaching firm comprised of former Fortune 500 recruiters. Formerly in corporate HR and retained search, Caroline is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Professional Development at Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs and a life coach.