Got a job interview? Be sure to “interview” the company, too!

Most people prepare for job interviews by planning how to answer questions: “What are your strengths and weaknesses? What challenges have you overcome in your career? Why do you want to work with us?”

But what job seekers need to keep in mind is that every job interview is a two-way street – you should definitely be prepared to answer questions from your interviewers, but you should also come prepared with a list of questions of your own.

A job interview is a unique opportunity to get to know a company – its culture, its priorities, its values, and the overall personality of the place. Treat the job interview like an informative conversation – you’re not there to “perform” for an audience, you’re there seeking information that you can use to make a decision as to whether this company is right for you.

Here are some questions that every job seeker should consider asking at an interview (with additional explanations in parentheses):

• Why is this position open? (Is this a newly created position, or did someone resign? How long has the position been open? Are they having trouble finding someone with the right skill set? This question is important to ask because it gives you a sense of what kind of job this is – is it a desirable position, or have people resigned out of frustration? Depending on how the interviewer answers, it could be a warning sign of a poorly defined job, or a problematic manager.)

• How would you describe the culture of this company? (Is the company a staid, set-in-its-ways “establishment” firm, or a scrappy start-up? Do they want creativity and fresh ideas, or do they want people who know how to do things by the book?)

• How does this position fit into the larger goals of the department/team/company? (Ask about the bigger picture – how will you be supporting the top priorities of the team and the larger strategic goals of the company?)

• What opportunities do you see for training, development and career advancement from this position? (Show that you have ambition and that you want your career to progress – but be careful not to sound too eager to climb the ladder; show that you care about getting the job and performing well in the role at hand.)

• What is the biggest contribution that you’re hoping to get from this position? (Focus on the needs of the hiring manager – find out what keeps them up at night. Do they need more leadership on the team? Fresh thinking and outside perspective? Someone who is dependable and meticulous? Find out what they want to see in their ideal candidate, and show how your experience, skills and personality align with their needs.

The purpose of a job interview is not to try to talk your way into a job; you need to use the interview to develop a better understanding of the company. After all, even if you get the job, if the company turns out to not be a good fit with your personality, values or work style, you won’t be happy for long.

Every job interview is a great opportunity to learn more about a prospective employer to see if you’re a good fit – and to see if the company is a good fit with what you want out of your career. So don’t just let companies interview you – interview the companies, too.

By: Ben Gran

Ben Gran is a freelance writer based in Des Moines, Iowa. He is an award-winning blogger who loves to write about careers, personal finance and the future of work. Ben can be reached at http://BenjaminGran.com