Page 98 - 301 Best Questions to Ask on Your Interview, Second Edition

QUESTIONS FOR HUMAN RESOURCES

7-4
Can you discuss your take on the company’s corporate culture? What
are the company’s values?
This question starts a conversation about culture and values. Your
goal is to communicate how your own practices and values are
aligned with those the HR person just articulated.

7-5
How would you characterize the management philosophy of this
organization?
This is a similar question to 7-4, with the same objectives. You want
to start a conversation that communicates how your management
philosophy aligns with that of the company you want to join.

7-6
Can you describe an ideal employee for this assignment?
Listen carefully to the qualities of this theoretical ideal candidate.
The HR professional has just told you what he or she most values.
Now make sure you emphasize how conspicuously your record dem-
onstrates commitment to and mastery of these very qualities.

? Memorably Bad Question
#3

If I don’t take a lunch break, can I accumulate the time that I
am forgoing and add it to my vacation time?

This candidate is already out to lunch. This question displays
a fatal lack of judgment because the answer is so predictable.
There is not a company in the world that would agree to such a
request. As a general rule, any question with the word lunch in
it is inappropriate.

Richard Kathnelson
Vice President of Human Resources
Syndesis, Inc.
Ontario, Canada

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