Are You Asking These Questions at Your Interview?

The interview process should not be a one-sided interrogation that favors the interviewer. Instead, it should be a collaborative effort between interviewers and applicants. If you have a chance to ask the interviewer a few inquiries at the end of an interview, demonstrate your enthusiasm by asking several questions to help you understand the interviewer's hiring timeline. If you have trouble coming up with your own interview questions, use these for inspiration.

Asking the interviewer, "When can I expect to hear from you?" is a good way to manage your expectations during a job search. Candidates who don't ask this question are often nervous about the lack of response from hiring managers. If the interviewer tells you the process takes several weeks, you can spend your time applying for other jobs and gathering employment references instead of worrying about when you can expect to hear from the interviewer.

Your interview questions should demonstrate your interest in the company and show that you are committed to career development. "How do you evaluate employees?" is a good question to ask if you need to show the interviewer you are interested in growing with the company. Interview questions like these also help you determine if the company evaluates employees fairly and offers regular opportunities for professional development.

At the end of the interview, be prepared to ask some interview questions for housekeeping purposes. These questions help you get a sense of how often the interviewer wants to communicate, and which communication method the interviewer wants to use. Asking "When can I get back in touch with you?" helps determine if the interviewer is open to a follow-up call or email. If the interviewer gives you a specific answer, don't call or write until a day or two later. Contacting the hiring manager too often makes you look desperate and can even hurt your reputation. Find out if the interviewer prefers you to call or send a message via email; then use the preferred contact method when following up on the interview.

"What is the culture like here?" is one of the most important interview questions to ask. If your personality doesn't fit a company's culture, you're likely to have problems fitting in and adjusting to the day-to-day realities of doing your job. If the interviewer doesn't answer this question to your satisfaction, follow up by asking the interviewer what she likes most about working for the company.

The interview process should give candidates just as much information about potential employers as it gives interviewers about candidates. Asking the right questions can help you uncover essential information about the open position and the company as a whole. It can also help you determine the best way to follow up with the interviewer at a later date.

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