Page 199 - 301 Best Questions to Ask on Your Interview, Second Edition

THE QUESTION LIFE CYCLE

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What do you see in my personality, work history, or skill set that
attracts you to me?
Suitable for candidates who know they are likable or have charisma.
If you’ve got it, flaunt it. The reality is that while qualifications get
you into the interview, being likable will get you the offer.

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What are the major rewards for you from working here, aside from
extrinsic rewards such as money and benefits?
This is a variation of the question “What do you like about work-
ing here?” The difference is that it digs pointedly for the intrinsic
rewards that every good job offers. The question has power when
the interviewer has worked at the company for a number of years
and concedes that the pay scales are lower than industry averages. If
that’s the case why, then, does he or she continue to work there? Usu-
ally there’s a good answer. If there weren’t, the interviewer would
probably be gone. The question is not useful for interviewers who
have been on the job less than a year.

13-34
From your perspective, what are the critical challenges facing this com-
pany for the next quarter?
A question about short-term challenges. The emphasis on “next
quarter” establishes that you understand the requirement for public
companies to deliver results every quarter.

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What are the major frustrations of this job?
Every job has frustrations. Watch out for an interviewer who denies
this reality. Be ready to respond to the question, “Why do you ask?”
with a story about how you effectively handle frustrations.

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If someone had given you one piece of advice on your starting day here
that would have really helped you, what might that piece of advice have
been?
Pretty tricky, huh? You’re basically asking the interviewer to give
you advice. Most interviewers want to be helpful, so tap into that

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