Questions to ask at interview

[evedawn]

i've got an interview tomorrow. I've had two others failry recently and get stumped when they say st the end of the intervie'd like to ask" ...i mean the last two interviews the interviewers have very succinctly conveyed the job etc...so i'm not left needing to ask a question...but any hints of "good " questions to ask would be helpful.

also - you know when they ask you to mention any "negatives or faults" one might have....I generaly say that if there is a fault it's that I tend to take ownership of too many things and have difficulty delegating as I believe if I want a job done i tend to do it myself....which is true...but any other hints at a "negative which I can turn into a positive" would be helpful.

[boxtops]

Good luck eve - what's the job you've gone for, same field as before, or different..?

[evedawn]

In five years time I wanna be ... Having more time with my husband, learn to play a musical instrument and be able to spend the wintertime somewhere sunny! But to do all that I'd need some money and to get some money I'll need a better paid job... And that's one of the reasons I went tothe interview. See: ... I'm nt ignoring you :-)

[4getmenot]

No I meant my post couple above this one. :-( people think I am a billie no mates

[evedawn]

Similar field box... Still in medical environment ... Only better role than I am doing now. Ta for wishing me luck ..

[evedawn]

Just for 4getmenot... Uv not been forgotten , ur not a billy no mates , uv not been sent tocoventry (unless u already live there?) I FOUND ur q and sent requested brownie points x

[Vagrant]

I've interviewed thousands of people for hundreds of jobs.
At the end, I always ask "Do you have any questions".
It's simply a courtesy - not a trick question - in case I've forgotten anything - the answer I prefer is "No" - it means I've done my job properly.

No interviewer worth his/her salt would ever ask you "What are your faults/weak points" - what answer do you imagine they're expecting? - "Oh, I steal things / Oh, I regularly get so drunk I can't get into work / Oh, I'm forever losing my temper and hitting people"!
If anyone asks you this, a good response is "I have terrible handwriting".

[Addy123]

Vagrant, you're right no good employer would ask someone what their faults are.

But a good interviewer will ask what someone considers could be an area for improvement, as it demonstrates how self aware a candidate is and that they are open to the fact they aren't superhuman.

Me for example, I do a demanding job, I'm classed as Senior Management (big fish but small pool, so not as grand as it migt sound lol!), and I'm pretty adept at a lot of things...but I'm lousy at formulas on excel?

I've been taught 4 times but I don't use it day in day out. So I might be a whizz with the basics, but once adding formulas comes into it, I'm cr*p. It took me a couple of stressful times before I admitted to myself it's not a strength, so I know to get help or delegate that one part of my role when it crops up.

If someone tells me there's nothing they could be better at then they are either not aware enough of their capabilities, or foolng themselves. I'm 47 and every day brings me something new to learn, about life, my job and myself.

[joko]

yes i'd agree...its fine not to have any questions, becasue in my experience they tend to cover most things...obviously if you genuinely have one, ask it...but no point in making on eup, just to have something to ask

i always say something like, not right now, i think you have covered everything i wanted to know...maybe say that you are just taking it all in and may have a question at a later time...

[evedawn]

right all - just to tell you i got the job!!!! Now i am in two minds whether to take it ....bit scared really if i'm honest ....it's a scary challenge. I probably will though but will weigh everything up. thanks all for advice re interview ...the feedback i got was"they were "extremely impressed" with my interview. thanks all

[4getmenot]

Oh my god thats fantastic news eve, you should go for it, there was a reason you went for it, a change and a challenge does evereyone good. I'm so pleased for you :-)

[evedawn]

thanks forgetmenot...and i will so be hoping for all the best when you hear on monday...thanks for your prev advice and for making me laugh

[4getmenot]

No worries. BuI I mean it grab the oppurtunity while you have the chance x

[redcrx]

and was it a http://seattlest.com/...avid2/GiantCelery.jpg

[4getmenot]

wow huuuuuuuuge celery

[Addy123]

Eve, I'm so delighted for you!!!!!

We need to have a cele(ry)bration!!!!!!

[Addy123]

And don't be scared. You wanted challenge and more importantly THEY think you are the right person for it.

That's a massive plus!!

I know how you feel (scared), I've just been told I am taking over my boss's job and will have 14 projects to oversee, some of which are ginormous. I'm scared witless..but very excited.

And my presentation went well (it's aimed at another part of the company) and may mean some exciting changes if it gets picked up.

So, be scared, it's natural, but be very proud of what you've achieved and throw yourself into it-we know you can do it, you know you can do it and they know you can do it-what more do you need?