What are some impressive questions to ask in a job interview?

[humanearth]

I've interviewed hundreds maybe closer to the low thousands of job candidates in my career, I’ve long been surprised by how many people don’t ask good questions when their interviewer gives them the opportunity. A surprising number of candidates don’t have many questions at all, or simply use the time to try to further pitch themselves for the job. To me, this is crazy — after all, this is a job that you’re considering spending 40 or more hours at a week, a job that might have a huge impact on your career and your quality of life for years to come.

[19magic]

I'm going to be applying for investment companies so at the top of my head no research is:
As a relatively new company (30 years old, compared to one's 100/200 years old) is there an innovative way to create these particular plans that's unique to this firm?
In your opinion what strategy makes this company different then the other investment firms?
Now that this is a successful firm how come your HQ is in Bristol rather than London?

Would any of these be good questions, I've never been in a professional job before and a bit worried about the whole process

[humanearth]

Sure but them are pretty ordinary. Maybe try squeaking some of these in.

How will you measure the success of the person in this position?

What are some of the challenges you expect the person in this position to face?

What are you hoping this person will accomplish in their first six months and in their first year?

Thinking back to people you’ve seen do this work previously, what differentiated the ones who were good from the ones who were really great at it?

Now if I was the doing the interview. These type of questions would impress me.

[19magic]

I see so relate it more to yourself and the role and how that will work rather than a random question about the business and how it operates

[humanearth]

Yes exactly

[19magic]

Thanks for the mho

[Just_someone23]

What do you like about working here?

How has this position changed over the years?

And my favorite

Can you offer me this job today? Puts them on the spot.

[humanearth]

Them are great

[burlen]

I tend to ask the following questions when offered the chance:
1. What is the pressing problem, if any, would you want me to tackle in the first week or month if offered the job?

2. How did this position I'm being interviewed for come about?

3. What is the single major challenge your ideal candidate could face if offered the job?

4. If given the option would you like working elsewhere other than this company? Why is that?

5. How soon would I get a response regarding the decision of this interview?

[andreasderjuengere]

"A personal question if you don't mind: How long have YOU been with the company, and in this position? What are your own ideas to proceed with a career here?"
BANG! I was asked similar questions; with the same indirect information background.
It puts me somewhat in a peer position: I am not BEGGING for the job.

[humanearth]

Dam. Thats a great one. I never ever had that happen to me

[andreasderjuengere]

Thanks for MHO. Perhaps one thing to add: I'd do that only if I look for a position 'with responsibilities'. Knowing, that despite my 'unattractive' age my life (and job) experience justify my relative arrogance here.

[humanearth]

Have you ever be denied a job, because the interviewer thought you where after their job.

[andreasderjuengere]

No. I point towards 'higher' positions :D But seriously: I am in a technical/engineering orientation; that never conflicted with 'administrative' jobs. However: I HAVE been in charge to recruit (my) own assistants; but that was already at a stage where 'we' knew about each other enough to see that there is no real 'competition'.

[humanearth]

Yeah. I never had that before either, but have heard of it.

Me before I was a farmer. I owned a small business as contractor that specialised in wood framing for new construction for condominiums, motels, resorts, apartments, or other large structures. I had about 20 employees and sub-contracted work.

So I did my share of hiring people.

[talloak]

I ask lots of questions when interviewed. Usually questions about management styles, how the position interacts with others, what sort of input I am allowed and/encouraged to give in assignments. That sort of thing. Like yourself, I've interviewed many, many times more often than I've been interviewed. And I also notice that people do not ask many questions, especially personal ones about the impact of the position on them. I got the feeling that in their eagerness to please, they feel that questioning the interviewer is presumptuous. Ironically, those were not the type of people I was looking to hire.

[TonyBologna25]

Communication skills are vital in an interview, but I’m not going to go out of my way to ask questions that I wouldn’t normally ask just to impress you. My resume and portfolio speaks for itself. I’m good at what I do, and I’m very straight forward. I’m not trying to a mental game of chess. I just want to get to know the company and what’s being offered.

Fortunately, I work in the engineering field and not finance where everything is a popularity contest. My job isn’t to suck the interviewers dick to stroke his ego. If it’s a good fit, then it’s a good fit. I also have options and I am too making a decision. If the interviewer doesn’t represent the company well, I’ll simply apply somewhere else.

[andreasderjuengere]

Good one. Can I hire you? ;)

[Anonymous]

I've always figured that question was them literally just wanting to hear more about themselves or their company so I usually do a little research on what's next for the company or the interviewer's accomplishments and try to tie it into something I think they want to hear...like, "I was excited to hear about your recent award for X, and would be interested in hearing about any upcoming projects having to do with X" or something like "where do you see your company headed in 2020 in terms of X research."

[OlderAndWiser]

What is the company culture on following rules and procedures versus thinking outside of the box?
What is the company policy on promoting from within?
What restrictions exist on lateral transfers?
To what extent is attendance at social functions expected?
Are there company programs which will assist me in furthering my education?

[NearlyNapping]

I rarely ask questions unless it's to clarify something they said. I usually have a pretty good idea what I'm getting into. The types of things that really matter to me are not really something I can ask about or get a good answer for. I'm not going to ask phony canned questions just for the sake of asking a question.

[Matt57]

As someone who is interested in the Manufacturing and Product Development field, one question I’d ask is something like: “what are some of the most exciting projects your company has done?”

[humanearth]

Thats is a great question to ask

[webelong2yehovah]

Asking questions as to how to best go about essential functions of the job, and to ensure you'll fit well with the existing employees seems to me to be both worth getting into and an unspoken self-sell at the same time.

[jennifer_bloom]

Why did you choose to run your company they way that you did? What considerations went into the strategies you currently use?

What are your future hopes for this company? how would you like to improve and expand your business?

[MotherEarth2020]

If you were offered more money for the same position at a different company, would you quit and go there?
If given this job, would you be able to find faults with how it was done, to make it better?
Are you a leader or do you follow the flock?

[andreasderjuengere]

These are interesting points of course. But the answers are already predictable.

[Levin]

I'm not interested in asking impressive questions.

I just want to find out whether the place is a shithole.

I usually ask things, such as, what is the culture/team environment like.
Describe a typical working day.

[anon1903]

"would you move away if you get a better opportunity than this?"
"did your team ever suffered from your drawback?"
"what difference do you want to make to this company?"
"are you good on leadership or following, no matter what?"

[goopw]

I'm really passionate about X initiative as I read about it on the company website could you tell me more about X.

[SALIM28]

How should I know just here because of following u😄

[humanearth]

Well lets just say. You were at a job interview. What question would you ask

[SALIM28]

Sorry no idea at all🤦‍♂️

[humanearth]

Well maybe a young guy like you should follow this question. It could help you in the future.

[SALIM28]

Yesssssssss that's why I'm following ur kind of wise

[WhereAmI]

I always ask. Figure they had their time to drill me with questions to see if I'm a fit. Now it's my turn. 😏

[Likes2drive]

How much per hour or is it salary? Do You have a pension plan and health insurance, is there any room for advancement?

[Jonathan2134]

At the end of an interview if I have nothing to say..."have you any questions for us" time.. I do ask if any the answers I have given before where unclear /unsatisfactory..

[October808]

Who am I replacing? What's this company's standing with the BBB?

[JamesRandiDebates]

How do you feel about Monday and Friday absenteeism? Is having sex with the cleaning staff frowned upon? When will I get my first raise?

[Anonymous]

• Can you so me how to fight? Cause if you do it I will bring you the winning prize

[Anonymous]

You've interviewed thousands of people and you're asking us for applicant questions? Why don't you tell us some good applicant questions instead?

[humanearth]

I have. I gave a few samples. Read replies