“Do you have any questions?”  Although this is a fairly common interview question, many candidates fail to see its importance.  After all, an interview is not meant to be an interrogation; rather an exchange of information that as the candidate, you should actively participate in.  The end of the interview is your last chance to make yourself shine in the eyes of the interviewer, and one easy way to do this is to ask the right questions when you’re given the chance.  If you’ve taken some time to research the company and prepare thoughtful questions in advance, employers will take notice.

The following list includes a set of questions that can help you not only learn more about the role, but stand out in the eyes of the interviewer.  Why?  They show the company that you are evaluating them just as much as they are evaluating you, thus showing you are interested, professional, and prepared.

• What do you expect me to accomplish in the first 60 to 90 days? – This question shows the employer you will be ready to jump into your role and make a difference immediately.
• What are the common attributes of your top performers? – Inquiring about the attributes that make employees top performers helps you evaluate whether you’re a good fit as well as show the hiring manager you are ambitious and strive to be a top performer.
• What are a few things that really drive results for the company? – During an interview, you want to convey to your interviewer, that if selected for the position, you will be invested in the firm’s future success.  This question will help you do that.
• What do employees do in their spare time? – This question helps indicate to your interviewer that you’re interested in the company culture and very willing to be part of a team.
• How would you plan to deal with…? – Asking the employer how they would manage a hypothetical situation gives you the opportunity to show them how you can think on your feet as well as how you can fit into their plans.
• Can you tell me a little about the day to day duties of this position? – This question demonstrates that you’re interested in hearing about what you would be doing if you were made an offer, while allowing you to assess whether the hiring manager has unreasonable expectations.