The questions you ask during your interview can be as important as the answers you give to their questions.

Typically when interviewers are through with their questions, you will be given an opportunity to ask questions of your own.  This is a pivotal junction in the interview.  It is an opportunity for you to shine, and it allows them a chance to see how you perform when the roles are reversed.  You now are able to showcase your level of interest in the position and force them to sell you on why you should come to work for them.

Asking genuine, compelling questions, can plant a seed in interviewers’ minds that they must convince you their company should be your employer of choice.  Psychologically their role changes from interviewers to recruiters.  Being recruited is much more fun than being a job seeker.  Once this transformation takes place, it is common for your interviewers to begin telling and selling all the other decision makers on why they think you would be the best “fit” for the position.  Conducted properly, this portion of the interview can close the deal and position you as the top candidate of choice.

Here are 5 questions to consider asking in your next interview:

What do you enjoy about working here?

This gives your interviewer a chance to highlight the positive things about their company.  They may even open up a little more about themselves and discuss their personal successes with the company.  Receive what they say with equal    enthusiasm and you may want to follow up with a statement like this:  “I hope to enjoy that same type of success here!”

How soon are you planning to fill this position?

If you are interviewing with multiple companies, this will help you manage when potential offers may come.  Knowing when the position is to be filled also gives you an indication as to how far along you are in the decision process.  Sometimes the answers you get are vague, and sometimes estimated hire dates are moved based on budgets or a variety of factors.  If you detect a sense of urgency about filling the open position, this could be a good sign for you.

If I am hired, to whom would I be reporting?

It is important to know who you will be working for and whether or not you are professionally compatible with that person.  During your interview with a hiring manager, try to envision yourself working for that person and enjoying it.  Sometimes the hiring manager will be excited about you, but you aren’t getting the same warm and fuzzy feeling.  If this is the case, think long and hard before you accept the position.  It can be better to wait for the right boss to come along.

Do you have any concerns about hiring me?

You may get a textbook corporate/politically correct answer here. Hopefully if they do have some reservations about hiring you, then they are open enough to share them.  This gives you an opportunity to respond to their concerns.  Once you’re out the door and the interview is over, then it is too late to overcome their concerns.  If you don’t ask then that one thing in the back of their minds that bothered them about your candidacy can cost you the position.

If they share concerns, DO NOT BE DEFENSIVE!  Receive the feedback openly and with empathy.  Thank them for their openness and candor, then make your attempt to overcome their concern. 

Whatis the next step in the interview process?

This question lets you know if there are other steps in the process and how many other decision makers there may be.  As long as you’re in the interview you have an opportunity to convince them why you are the best candidate.  Don’t save your best stuff for the interview you give in the car on the ride home.  Once you know what their next move is:  BE SURE TO ASK TO MOVE FORWARD in the interview process!!!!  Some companies eliminate candidates if they don’t ask to participate in the next phase.

When interviewing for a position, remember that it is your responsibility to interview the company and hiring manager as well.  Done properly it will enhance your candidacy and give you the information you need to make your decision.  For more information on how to knock your next interview out of the park check out Brooks Harper’s Book, Why Should We Hire You?