Job Interview Questions to Ask an Employer

Most people know that they should prepare job interview questions to ask the employer after an interview. However, many people really worry about this part of the job interview process.

At some point in a job interview, most employers will ask if you have any questions.

The problem many people face at this stage of the job interview is that before the interview, they prepared a couple of job interview questions to ask the employer, but by the time they get to the end of the interview, either the employer has answered their questions, or they were so nervous during the interview they completely forget their questions.

There is a very easy solution to this problem.

Write them down. Write a list of five or more job interview questions to ask the employer. Type your list out neatly, and bring your list to the job interview.

When the employer says, "So do you have any questions for me?" You can simply say, "Yes, I do. I've prepared a few. I have them right here." Then pull out your list of questions.

Writing a list of job interview questions to ask the employer eliminates the need to memorize your questions before the interview. You don't have to worry about forgetting them, because you'll have the list right there.

Writing a list of five or more questions ensures that you'll have at least one or two questions left that the employer did not answer during the interview. Keep in mind, although you will have prepared five or more questions to ask, you will probably not actually ask all of your questions (you've only prepared that many to cover yourself in case the employer answers a lot of your questions during the interview). The employer has probably left enough time for you to ask one or two questions.

Clients are always amazed when I tell them to bring a list of questions into the interview. It's not cheating to bring a list of questions to a job interview; you do not have to memorize them. When you pull out your list of interview questions, the employer will see that you are well prepared, organized and interested in the job.

What are the best job interview questions to ask an employer during an interview?

Keep in mind, at this stage of the interview process you are still working to show the employer that you are the best candidate for the job. Good interview questions are focused on helping you to learn more about the job; they are not focused on your own needs.

Interview questions to avoid:

• How many vacation days do I get?
  
• What about sick leave?
  
• What day is pay day?

Asking questions that are focused on your needs is a very common interview mistake. Don't worry, if the employer hasn't already provided those details, you will get that information before you accept the job. Even if the employer has not discussed salary and benefits in the interview, now is not the time to ask those kinds of questions.

Do ask questions that further highlight your skills and show that you have a genuine interest in the job.

Great Interview Questions to Ask an Employer:

• What are the most important things you'd like me to accomplish in the first three months if I am hired for this position?
  
• How is performance typically measured and reviewed?
  
• How do you see my skills and experience fitting with the needs of your company? (This question can cause employers to review the reasons why you're a great fit for the company, which is exactly what you want them thinking about when you leave the interview.)
  
• Is there anything at all that you'd like me to clarify for you? (This is one of the best interview questions to ask an employer. It is helpful because it will bring up any lingering questions the employer may have about your qualifications. If the employer feels you haven't expanded enough on a particular skill set, you'll get a chance to do so before you leave the interview.)
  
• When do you expect to be making a hiring decision?
  
• May I follow up with you to find out your decision?
  
• May I have your business card? (When you have the employer's business card, you will have all of the contact information you need to follow up and to write a great thank you note after the interview.)
  

Of all of the job interview questions to ask an employer, never ever leave a job interview without asking if it's o.k. to follow up. At this point in the hiring process, it's perfectly reasonable in most situations to expect some type of follow up whether you get the job or not. Asking if it's o.k. to follow up yourself gives you a bit of power in the process so you won't have to sit and wait for the employer to call you.

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