Page 93 - 301 Best Questions to Ask on Your Interview, Second Edition

I N TERV IEW THE I N TERV IEW ER

From the Field

Five Uncommon Questions from Jonathan Hilley

These interview questions were compiled by Jonathan Hilley
of The Ascendance Group (www.joinTAGnow.com), a com-
pany that provides innovative educational services to college
students. “At the end of any job interview, you are given
the opportunity to ask questions of your own,” Hilley notes.
“The quality of your question set can be a real differentia-
tor between you and your competition; this is your chance
to leave an indelible mark.” Here are Hilley’s five uncommon
questions that will create a connection with your interviewer,
provide insight into the company’s culture, and allow you to
learn what it takes to become a top performer:
1. Do you enjoy Mondays?
Why ask this? It’s short and clever, and it will give you insight
into how much your interviewer enjoys his job. Let’s face it: if
someone likes going into work on Monday morning, he must
love his job. And as an added bonus, it might just make your
interviewer chuckle (important when building rapport).
2. What brought you to this company? What keeps you here?
3. At my level, what distinguishes the top performers from

everyone else?
4. Assume I’m the selected candidate—let’s fast-forward ninety

days: Can you give me a taste of what a typical day will be
like for me?
5. If I do an outstanding job for the next five years, how far can
I progress within this organization?

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