You finally got the interview. From the looks of things, the job seems perfect for you. In addition, you have the right qualifications. Things look promising. So you are planning for the interview. What do you need to do to make sure that you nail it? Aside from being on time, dressing appropriately, knowing your background and being able to clearly explain your achievements – you also need to ask questions! Questions are important. You need to understand things about the company and the role that only direct questions to the interviewer will reveal. Here are some questions that you should definitely ask your interviewer. They will give you insight into the company and provide you with meaningful details about how people feel about the environment they work within:

What made you decide to come work here? People like to talk about themselves, and this question will prompt the interviewer to reveal things about herself that you might not otherwise come to understand. This is particularly important to allow you to connect on a personal level. You can use this as an opportunity to reference a common interest when you follow up after the interview. In the best case, you will find that you have something in common, which will make your interview more memorable – not to mention the fact that you will be more likable as well.

What do you like about the company? This is a good question because it will allow the interviewer to provide clear information about the positive aspects of the company. You can learn about the company’s mission and vision from the perspective of someone that works there. It is different than reading about it on the web in a corporate bio. This will also give you the opportunity to learn some specifics regarding the goals of the department where you might be working.

What type of person are you looking for? Of course you both want to ensure that you are a good fit for the role and that the company is a good fit for you. This question will allow you to understand something about the personality type that will be a strong fit in a new environment. You can reflect on your own personality characteristics to ensure that there is a strong match.

Can you describe a typical day here? Want to get some quick information regarding the daily grind? This question will allow you to understand what you can expect. Of course you are not going to get a full course meal out of this question; but it will certainly give you enough ammunition to understand if the environment will be a good fit for you from both a personal and professional perspective.

Is there any reason why you wouldn’t hire me to fill this role? This is a critical question. If there is something that the interviewer is looking for that has not been covered, you will now have the opportunity to discuss it and highlight key examples that make you a strong fit. This can make or break the interview – you don’t want to leave the interviewer with any questions about your ability to perform in the environment. This question will enable you to cover important points that you might have otherwise failed to present about your qualifications.

Here are a few more questions that you also might consider:

• What are some of the things you would like to have done differently around here?
• Would I be able to meet some of the people that I would potentially be working with?
• What are the standard operating hours?

Finally, and most importantly – if you want the job SAY SO! Don’t leave the interview without expressing the fact that you want the role (if that’s the case). Something like: I have enjoyed meeting you, and learning about the position. I think it is a good fit for us both, and I would absolutely join your team if given the opportunity.

Asking questions during the interview process is important for both you and the hiring manager. You might be surprised at what you learn! The information will allow you to make an informed decision when the time comes, and certainly can prevent you from accepting a position that might not meet your needs.