Top Ten Questions to Ask in a Job Interview

Interviews are opportunities for you – the job seeker to find out information about the organization, the job and the culture. We have assembled some of the types of questions you should ask. Remember though that you need to have done your homework first, so don’t ask any of these questions if you should already have known the answer!

Top Ten Questions to Ask in a Job Interview Word (.doc) file.

1) What would a typical day be like?

We all know there is no typical day in a job involving information, unless you are doing data entry- but the question still has merit.

2) Why is the job open AND/OR What happened to the last person who held this position?

You may already know the answer – it’s a small world after all but, it is a way to elicit information about advancing in the job at some point. If you are applying for the directorship position you may know there is no other position higher, so vary this question to your liking.

3) How will my performance be measured? And by whom? How often?

Knowing how you will be evaluated and when to expect a performance review is important.

4) What qualities do you prize the most in those that report directly to you?

Any version of this question – and tailor it accordingly is useful information – for obvious reasons.

5) What would be the goals of the department (or library) in the coming year?

This question should be adapted to the job you are applying for. Remember asking intelligent questions is another way to sell yourself. Only ask questions that are relevant to the particular position you are applying for of course. If you are going to be answering reference questions at a public reference desk or indexing documents the goals of the department may be not important. If you are on a project, however, do ask about the project goals and benchmarks.

6) What is the history of this position?

Use your budget judgment in asking this. Is more applicable in some cases, less in others.

7) Why isn't this job being filled from within?

If you have prior knowledge skip this question, likewise if it’s a new position or a new project and there are no incumbents – otherwise is a good question to ask and you may find out that you are being measured against an internal candidate.

8) Why did you come to work here? What keeps you here?

A good question to ask but skip it if you are talking to HR – unless you sense a rapport and think it might be useful.

9) How soon do you expect to make a decision?

Many people forget to ask this question and then spend a lot of time sitting by the phone. Some follow up pointers on this- no matter what they tell you, add at least a week to the time – maybe longer. Unless there is a crisis and they need someone on the job yesterday, the process is always slower than you might imagine. Another tip- after you send your thank-you email/note (a MUST!) then keep in touch. Silence doesn’t always equal rejection and its all true about the squeaky wheel. Just don’t over-do it.

10) If I am offered the position, how soon will you need my response?

This is a fair question and just asking implies you aren’t going to just leap, you are going to give the offer some consideration.