Ninth in a continuing series of discussions on soft skills needed for successful employment interviewing

1. INTERVIEW TIP #9
Ask Questions!
Mary Sherwood Sevinsky,
MS, CCM, CDMS

2. About me…
• Mary Sherwood, MS, CDMS, CCM
Occupational Consultant
• www.about.me/marysevinsky
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• My Blog: www.JobSearchForTheRestOfUs.com
More information about my services: www.Life-Works.Info
Additional Resources
• JOB SEARCH FOR THE REST OF US Group on Linkedin:
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• Careerealism

3. REVIEW
By now you are getting the idea that there is really a lot
involved when experts and others tell you to “make sure to
prepare for an interview!” Already, in previous articles have
covered:
• Practicing – Over Preparing
• Taking Notes
• Wearing Appropriate and Comfortable Clothes.
• Visit the location the day before the interview
• Relax – don’t try to cram for an important interview
• Breathe to avoid saying “um” too much
• Smile

4. BEFORE, DURING AFTER
• So far in this series we have talked mainly about how
to prepare to attend the interview.
• Tip #6 & #7 were the first tips concerned with
DURING THE INTERVIEW.
• We have covered a lot and still only talked about
interviewing “soft skills”
• The next series will address more of the “nuts and
bolts” of interviewing

5. Ask questions.
• In order to avoid an interview feeling like an
inquisition, ask questions.
• Approach the interview as if it were a conversation:
• You listen, you respond, you interact and the
interviewer does the same.
• If you can nudge the interview in this direction you
will feel a lot more confident and comfortable than if
the interviewer is asking all the questions!

6. Show me the money!
• The most common response to this advice that I get is
• “I thought you weren’t supposed to ask about salary
and benefits during the first interview?”
• That is right!
• There are other things you are interested in knowing
about the company, though.
• Right?

7. Ask about the position
• Think about the position itself.
• Wouldn’t you like to know what a typical day is like
for a person in this position?
• You might ask if there could be an opportunity to
shadow someone currently doing the job.
• Another question you might ask is what the
interviewer considers the most important
contribution the person in this position makes to the
company,

8. Ask about the company
• What about the company?
• Sure, you will do your research and yes, you will know a
good bit about the company.
• But, wouldn’t you like more of an insider’s perspective on
the company.
• Why not ask: I have read a lot about the company and
like what I am reading, but what can you tell me that isn’t
on the website or business magazines?
• What is the culture like?
• How do people interact with each other? Email? Phone?
Daily meetings?
•

9. Ask about the interviewer
• How about your interviewer.
• What drew him or her to work for the company?
• What do they like best about working here? Least?
• Do they have any advice for someone hoping to be
hired in this position?
• Can the interviewer give you feedback as a candidate
or interviewee?
• All you have to do is ask!

10. Show your interest
• Asking questions shows you are truly interested in the
position and
• not just going through the motions to satisfy a third
party or
• because it is any job you are apply to.
• Rather, you are truly interested in THIS position and
THIS company.

11. Conversation vs. Interrogation
• And again, asking questions keeps the interview from
being one sided with you in the hot seat.
• The will remember a pleasant conversation rather
than a routine interview session.
• He or she will be left with a feeling that you would be
someone your team mates could really interact with
and communicate with.
• Isn’t that the message you would like to send? Of
course!

12. RECAP
• Ask questions to make the tone of the interview more
positive.
• It also makes you appear more interested and gives
you more information for your thank you letter or
second interview.
• You will leave knowing you are a good match and
why.
• What a good feeling.

13. OTHER TIPS
• So, you have practiced (see Interview Tip #1),
prepared your notes (Tip #2), and have appropriate,
comfortable clothes to wear (see Interview Tip #3).
• Interview Tip #4 shared the importance of visiting the
location the day before, and Tip #5, was relax. They all
addressed preparation and tips for before the
interview.
• Tip # 6 (Breathe), this one and the next tips deal with
that nerve racking During-The-Interview period.
• Tip #7 Strike a pose and Tip #8 Smile ….

14. Resources for possible interview questions
and/or answers:
• Articles in my blog
• Articles on CAREEREALISM
• Articles on the Web
• Need more help? Chat, Email, Skype, Hangout
Click here for email
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Skype Mary.E.Sherwood
• PS I also wanted to let you know about a new job search group
I just started on LinkedIn, it would be great to have you and
please share with your connections … If you are currently
employed you might want to “hide” this group on your Profile;
click here if you need help with that! Take care, Mary