6 Best Questions to Ask in a Job Interview as a Career Changer

6 Best Questions to Ask in a Job Interview as a Career Changer 6 Best Questions to Ask in a Job Interview as a Career Changer 8 6 Best Questions to Ask in a Job Interview When you’re asked if you have any questions, the worst thing to do is say no, according to the USA Today story “5 Phrases You Should Never Say in a Job Interview.” While you shouldn’t just ask any old question, like, “Do I need a card key to use the restroom?” or “Where’s a good place to grab lunch around here?” you do need to ask a question that relates to the job. If you’re not sure what to ask, here are six of the best questions to ask in a job interview, no matter what industry you’re looking to work in. “Why is this job available?” Maybe it’s a new position. Or maybe the previous person went on maternity leave- and never came back. As a job seeker, it’s a smart move to find out why the position is available, says Nicole Peery, a data entry specialist at. (In fact, these are the questions that she asked during her interview with our company!) Depending on the answer, it can help you determine if you might want the position (i.e., the company is growing and needs someone with your skill set) or not (i.e., the previous employee had a nervous work-related breakdown). “Is there anything that is not on the job posting that you would want someone to know about this position?” It’s almost impossible for a potential employer to list every single solitary job duty on the job description. Asking about other responsibilities can give you an overall view of what the job will entail. “How can someone in this position go the extra mile?” This is the type of question that a potential employer would love to hear! Not only does it show a vested interest in the position, but it also shows an employee’s initiative to go above and beyond the call of duty (or in this case, the job description!) to produce amazing work results. “Its six months from today and youve hired someone for this position. What will they have done to make you think you made the right choice?” Similar to the above question, what you’re essentially asking is, beyond the basic training period and learning curve that comes with having a new job, how can a potential employee shine in this job. It shows that you want to please a potential boss, too. “How would you characterize your management style? What kind of person is successful under this style?” When you ask this type of question, you’re imagining what it would be like to work for a boss like this person. Is the person a micromanager, or more relaxed when dealing with his staff? Beyond deadlines and project management, you’re trying to establish how this person’s managerial style and your work style will mesh together. “What challenges will someone in this position face?” If the job you’re applying for has been held by previous employees, then your boss-to-be will certainly know if they had any issues or came across problems as they related to the position. This question helps you assess former workers’ issues so that you can a) understand any potential pitfalls faced by those who had the job before you and b) figure out a way ahead of time to solve those issues. When you think of it, “a job interview is really a conversation,” says Peery, who also writes the blog, UglyGreenCouch. “The job seeker should use the time as an opportunity to interview the interviewer. Its a two-way street!” So make sure that you have a question (or two) ready for your interviewer, and he’ll quickly see that you’re not only serious about the job, but the ideal candidate for the position! Looking to change careers? Start your job search here!