Interview Questions

[neilm]

I've got an interview, and just wondering if anyone can think of some questions to throw in an interview at the end? It's for a software graduate job incase you're wondering.

I take it mentioning salary, or days off and starting times is a big no-no. If anyone can provide any good questions I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thanks.

 

[mitmot]

ask them about job growth (future career opportunities in the company), or any other things related to the company just to make it seem like you're interested. probably the best question to ask at the end of an interview is 'what do you like the most about your job?' some interviewers get thrown off by this and usually bs something like 'i love working with the people here.' however, it will put the person in a happy mood and leave a good impression of you in his mind. good luck

 

[MisfitsFiend]

I mentioned all 3 no-no's in my last intervies, and still got hired.

 

[Syrch]

do they have any single hotties...thats an important one

 

[stan394]

what are the product's main competitor? and how is the company position in the market?

 

[leftyman]

ask them if they mind employees showing up late, it looks good for you if you show you can plan ahead

 

[woowoo]

Just ask....
"What the H**l is that smell"

 

[dirtboy]

First off, you need to know why it is you're asking questions. If you're asking questions because people say it's a good idea, then you'll screw it up.


People perceive people who ask questions to be more intelligent than someone who doesn't ask questions. In my business I make a habit of asking questions: why people did something, why they did a certain way, etc. Halfway through my barrage of questions, they always stop to ask what it is I know. Once that happens, I get repositioned as an expert in my field. Point for me.

Now I don't interview much anymore; ever, but you can use the same tactics to make yourself look good.

If you wait until the end and ask the same lame questions that everyone else does, then you're like everyone else.

When I used interview, I tried to interview the interviewer. I ask them all kinds of questions, but not before they ask me a few questions. I ask people if they like their job. I might ask them if they like working there or what they don't like about working there. I ask them if they'd recommend their employer to a friend. I ask them if they use the services of their own company, if they market a product or service that the consumer uses. If they do or don't, I ask them why.

This always catches them off guard. And at some point they'll ask why I want to know all these things. I tell them that just like they are interviewing me that I am interviewing them. I explain that I want to make sure that if I am offered a position that this is a place I want to work for. That always blows them away.

They held all the power; the job over me. Now I just told them I don't care if they offer the job, because I might not take it. While they don't know what it is I'm after, they now know that I know enough to pick and choose from the best. They also then assume as a result of me taking that angle, that I am someone who is good enough to have my choice of places to work from.

It's all about positioning; positioning yourself from the other people.

Good luck.

 

[Rudee]

Ask them if they press charges. That always throws them for a loop.

 

[habib89]

Originally posted by: dirtboy
First off, you need to know why it is you're asking questions. If you're asking questions because people say it's a good idea, then you'll screw it up.


People perceive people who ask questions to be more intelligent than someone who doesn't ask questions. In my business I make a habit of asking questions: why people did something, why they did a certain way, etc. Halfway through my barrage of questions, they always stop to ask what it is I know. Once that happens, I get repositioned as an expert in my field. Point for me.

Now I don't interview much anymore; ever, but you can use the same tactics to make yourself look good.

If you wait until the end and ask the same lame questions that everyone else does, then you're like everyone else.

When I used interview, I tried to interview the interviewer. I ask them all kinds of questions, but not before they ask me a few questions. I ask people if they like their job. I might ask them if they like working there or what they don't like about working there. I ask them if they'd recommend their employer to a friend. I ask them if they use the services of their own company, if they market a product or service that the consumer uses. If they do or don't, I ask them why.

This always catches them off guard. And at some point they'll ask why I want to know all these things. I tell them that just like they are interviewing me that I am interviewing them. I explain that I want to make sure that if I am offered a position that this is a place I want to work for. That always blows them away.

They held all the power; the job over me. Now I just told them I don't care if they offer the job, because I might not take it. While they don't know what it is I'm after, they now know that I know enough to pick and choose from the best. They also then assume as a result of me taking that angle, that I am someone who is good enough to have my choice of places to work from.

It's all about positioning; positioning yourself from the other people.

Good luck.

that's an interesting tactic.. do you think it would work even if you weren't very experienced? say you've got about a year of experience in the field and your'e looking for another job? cause it sounds like you have experience and that they would WANT you to join them, therefor you can position yourself like that...

i don't know that it's so bad to ask about salary and vacation days or even benefits.. at my last interview, they asked me what sort of salary i was looking for.. i asked about benefits and paid vacation... so i guess it sorta depends on how casual the interview seems..

 

[Kelemvor]

Originally posted by: stan394
what are the product's main competitor? and how is the company position in the market?

or maybe:

what are the product's main competitor? and are they hiring?

 

[frankgomez75]

What is the companies stance against the injustices done to foreign platypussies?

 

[Drakkon]

"Are there any girls working in the office? If so, Is it ohkay to take pics of them while on break?"

 

[Epic Fail]

The weather sure is nice today, isn't it?

 

[dirtboy]

Originally posted by: habib89
that's an interesting tactic.. do you think it would work even if you weren't very experienced? say you've got about a year of experience in the field and your'e looking for another job? cause it sounds like you have experience and that they would WANT you to join them, therefor you can position yourself like that...

Yes I think it would work if you're not experienced. What if I find out through my questions that it is expected that I will be working on weekends for free if things aren't done on time and I don't want to work weekends? Now I know. I interviewed at one company and one of the people told me that if I came to work there that I'd be expected to relocate every couple years or I wouldn't advance. I didn't like that, so I didn't bother continuing the interviews there.

Looking for a job or not, you want to position yourself as someone they want and that they might not get. We all want what we can't have. I want a new Ferrari. I don't have one. If I had one, I probably wouldn't want one. If I went to buy one and the guy told me that depending on the type of person I am that they might not sell me one, then if I really want it, I'll be more determined to get it. Same applies for employement.

I used this tactic to apply for jobs I didn't really want. I was bored for a year at a job so I messed around with my resume and I went on numerous interviews, which is how I developed my resume and my interviewing strategy.

I like the take-away technique. Always keeps the ball in my corner. That way if they extend an offer that they know upfront that I might not accept it. Especially useful if you are interviewing at more than one place.

i don't know that it's so bad to ask about salary and vacation days or even benefits.. at my last interview, they asked me what sort of salary i was looking for.. i asked about benefits and paid vacation... so i guess it sorta depends on how casual the interview seems..

Those questions are fine, if it's the right time to ask them. I'm talking about, "tell me how your company is positioned in the industry; it's competitors, the stock price..." Who gives a crap? Not me. Will that matter if you get the job or not? No. Of course, it's all relative to what you're applying for. I'm assuming that most people here are applying for entry level positions.

If I was hiring and someone asked me about my competitors and such, I'll ask them why they want to know when I'm hiring them to take care of my mail and to take out the trash. What they should ask is, how often would you like your trash picked up? Do you want your mail opened or unopened? What things about the last person did you like? What did you not like?

Those questions show you understand what your place is, you're asking as if you already have the job. Plus, you can find out what their expectations are. Let's say they mention that the one thing they didn't like about the previous person is that they always left a few minutes before 5pm. Now you know ahead of time to say because the boss is watching.

I always find that once I am on a friendlier level with the interviewer, which this does, that I can ask them about salary and find out if it is realistic to get raises. I've had people tell me about their work history there and what to expect, how to get raises and as far as people complaining about not getting a raise. Rather interesting in an interview to have someone tell you that.