Questions about the Job:

Questions to ask:
�What are the most immediate projects that need to be addressed?
�Can you show me examples of projects I�d be working on?
�What are the biggest challenges that someone in this position would face?

What to listen for:

�Are the projects you�d be assigned the type where you could excel? Very few people
aim to be at the bottom.
�Do the projects excite you? If they sound boring, then imagine having to go into
the office and do them daily. Walk away.
�Do you have the temperament to tackle the challenges? Some might call for an
aggressive extrovert or an organized project manager; Is that you?

Questions about Skills:

Questions to ask:
�What are the skills and experiences you�re looking for in an ideal candidate?
�What attributes does someone need to have in order to be really successful in this
position?
�What types of skills is the team missing that you�re looking to fill with a new
hire?

What to listen for:

�Are my skills and experiences a good fit for this position?
�Could I demonstrate proficiency in these skills, based on my schooling and
experience, or do I have cursory knowledge of the topic. If the latter, you will be
starting the job in a hole. Initially, only you will know how deep that hole is.
You don�t want it to be obvious to everyone in the first weeks.

Questions about Opportunities:

Questions to ask:
�Are there opportunities for advancement or professional development?

What to listen for:

�Is there room with this position for me to grow my skills, to advance in the
company, and progress towards my career goals?

Questions about Culture:

Questions to ask:
�How would you measure my success in this role?
�What do you like most about working for this company?
�What is the typical career path for someone in this role?

What to listen for:

�The business world went through a period where they �ranked� individuals against
each other on the assumption that there was only so much money to give for pay
raises and promotions so give it to the top 10% of employees. This did not work as
expected. Students that received A�s in college found themselves at the bottom of
the ranking. Employees were afraid to take new jobs for fear of their low ranking
while they were getting up to speed. And in a strong economy, no pay raise
motivates you to look elsewhere, not work harder for a company that does not value
your contribution.
�What does it tell you if the hiring manager is not excited about their job or the
company you�re interviewing? Run, don�t walk away.
�Asking about your predecessor�s next move should give you an idea of whether the
role you�re interviewing for will give you the skills and experience to move up in
the company.

And two bonus questions:

�Is there anything else that I could provide to help you make your decision?
�What is your timeline for deciding, and when can I expect to hear back from you?