Questions you can ask

To supplement the information you obtained before the interview, you will want to ask questions during the interview. Some questions will arise naturally during the interview, but it is wise to prepare a number of questions in advance. Asking questions will demonstrate your interest and help you determine if the job fits your personality, skills, interests, and values.

Your questions should pertain to the position and show your enthusiasm and knowledge. By asking intelligent, well-thought-out questions that genuinely matter to you, you will convince the employer that you are serious about the organization and the position. If a question has been answered during the interview, do not ask it again; such repetition will suggest that you were not listening. It is important to compose your own questions; however, the following may give you a starting point:

1. What do you see as the priorities for someone in this position?
2. Please describe a typical day on the job
3. What training programs do you have available for your employees?
4. What level of responsibility could I expect in this position?
5. Is there a typical career path for a person in this position?
6. What are the company’s plans for the future?
7. I've been reading about trends in XYZ. Given these new directions, is there anything (non-confidential, of course) that you could share with me about some of the opportunities and challenges you see coming for this field/sector overall or even for [company/organization name] in particular?
8. How would you describe your organization’s management style, culture, and/or working environment?
9. What do you like most about your organization?
10. How are employees evaluated and promoted?
11. For Co-op interviews ONLY: in order to help me arrange my budget for next term, can you tell me the expected salary for this position?