Down Range: A Transitioning Veteran's Career Guide to Life's Next Phase

Appendix Q

Tips for Preparing Questions to Ask an Interviewer

Asking good questions of the interviewer is essential to demonstrate your interest and engagement to a potential employer. Questions are also meant for you to gather additional information about the job and company to help you determine whether the position fits into your career plan and HDD. Here is some basic guidance for developing your questions:

• Prepare a list of questions as you research the company. Do not ask questions that could easily be answered online. You want the interviewer to respond, “Oh, that's a really great question!” when you ask it, and not be thinking, “Wow, this person really didn't do his research.” The objective is to create insightful questions about what is going on with the company and its industry.
• Prepare a list of questions that are important for you to understand about the job and the company. Here are some examples:
  • What are the big issues on your horizon over the next year? Over the next 5 years?
  • What do you enjoy most about your (the interviewer) job?
  • What are the most essential skills and abilities required for this job?
  • Why is this position open?
  • What are the opportunities for employees to advance and develop?
  • Do you have any concerns about my ability to be successful in this position?
• Make notes and formulate questions during the interview. The best questions will probably arise through the course of your interview. You should have a portfolio with you during the interview to ...