• How would you describe the responsibilities of the position?
• How would you describe a typical week/day in this position? Is overtime expected?
• Is this a new position? If not, what did the previous employee go on to do?
  • Where is the last person who held this job moving on to?
• What would you like to see happen six-to-12 months after you hire a new person for this position?
• Do you expect to hire more people in this department in the next six months?
• What is the company’s management style?
• How would you describe the work environment here — is it collaborative or independent?
• How many people work in this office/department?
• What are their strengths and the team’s biggest challenges?
• What is the company and team culture like?
• Who will I work with most closely?
• Who will I report to directly?
• What are the prospects for growth and advancement?
  • How does one advance in the company?
• What do you like about working here?
• Are there any other questions I can answer for you?
• Is there anything you are still wondering about my candidacy that might keep you from offering me the position?
  • Is there anything further I should clarify?
• What is the next step in the process? May I have your business card?
• What would keep you from hiring me for this position?
  • Any reservations about my fit for this position that I could address?
• What other departments will I interact with and why?
• How would I be evaluated? 
• How do you determine how successful I am in the position?
• Based on our meeting, where do you think I am best suited in this company?
• How do my experience and skills compare to other candidates you have interviewed?
• Are there any concerns about my background that would disqualify me from the position?
• What else do you need to know before you can make a decision?
• Do you feel I am qualified for the position?

Here are 10 tips that will help get you on the right path to knocking their socks off.

1. Do your research: You need to be prepared to demonstrate that you have solid knowledge of the company, its business and its challenges. Do a news search, read its recent press releases and annual report, and talk to others. Chances are you will be asked the important question, “Why do you want to work for our company?” or “What do you know about our business?” Failing to show that you have done your research will tell your interviewer you didn’t care enough to take the time to prepare.
2. Shut up and listen: While you will be anxious to tell the interviewer all about your professional career, don’t be so chatty that you miss important signals and messages from the other person.
   You’ll need to present your story in the context of what the interviewer is looking for. Listen for clues and adjust.
3. Remember what’s in your resume and cover letter: “Sometimes, especially at an initial screening, the interviewer will ask you questions simply to gauge the accuracy of your resume and cover letter,” writes Richard
   Fein in his book “95 Mistakes Job Seekers Make … and How to Avoid Them.” “If you have forgotten what you wrote, you will lose a great deal of credibility.” Re-read your resume before you go to your interview and be able to talk intelligently about anything and everything included.
4.  Know how your qualifications relate to the company’s needs: It is not enough to just be prepared to talk about your skills and qualifications. You need to relate your skills to the company’s needs. Examine the job description before the interview. Then identify the skills needed for the job and think of how your qualifications relate to those skills. Fein suggests making a chart with two columns, one for skills and qualifications the company is seeking and the other for an example of how, when and where you demonstrated those characteristics or skills.
5.  Don’t forget to prepare for telephone pre-screen interviews: Prepare in advance for phone pre-screen interviews just as much as you would any other interview opportunity. Fein suggests having a list of questions ready, having your resume handy and getting yourself excited about the conversation. “Your energy and friendliness in your voice send a message, just as body language would at a face-to-face interview.”
6. Practice: The best way to be prepared for an interview once you have done your research is practice. Think about potential interview questions such as “Tell me about yourself,” “Why are you leaving your current employer?” and “Why should we hire you?” You should also be prepared for behavioral questions, such as “Tell me about a time when you had a problem at work and came up with a way to solve it.” Developing answers ahead of time will keep you from hemming and hawing during the interview.
7. Save the salary talk for later: Discussing money is always tricky, and it is best to save the talk about salary for later, once you have received an offer. Fein suggests letting the interviewer know that you are certain the company will offer a fair salary or giving a range if you are pressed for a number.
8. Have a list of questions for the interviewer: Almost every interview will end with this question: “So, do you have any questions for us?” Fein says that one of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is not being prepared to answer this. Be sure to develop a list of questions to ask before you go to the interview. Do not ask questions that are clearly answered on the employer’s Web site and/or in any literature provided by the employer to you in advance. Instead, ask specific questions like “What is the organization’s plan for the next five years, and how does this department fit in?” or “Could you explain your organizational structure?“
9. Be confident: “Everyone needs to remember that an interview is a business meeting between professionals,” Fein says. “The company needs an employee, and you need a job.” If you are in for an interview, the company has seen something in you that is attractive. Now you just need to believe in yourself and let your talents shine.
10. Follow up: Your best-laid interview plans will go to waste if you neglect to follow up with your interviews. Send a thank-you letter immediately after your interview that reiterates positive characteristics about yourself and, if possible, refers to some part of your conversation.

1. What do you see ahead for your company in the next five years and what can you tell me about your new product or plans for growth?
2. Why is this position open and how many persons have held it in the past 12 months? (If more than two, run!!)
3. How will my performance be evaluated – on annual revenues, market growth, cost savings, team performance, etc?
4. What have you observed to be important strengths, skills, and qualifications in order for someone in this position to succeed?
5. What are some of the greatest challenges that the company/division is facing internally right now?
6. Can you tell me about the most critical projects that your team is handling at the moment?
7. Will it be possible to meet other members of the team to learn more about the company’s culture and working environment?
8. Are there sufficient growth opportunities and chances to get involved in projects or initiatives outside the scope of the job?
9. What are the top 3 achievements or solutions you would like to see happen through this position in the first 90 days?
10. What is the next step in the process and how soon are you looking to make a hiring decision?