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Interview Tip: Ask Questions
Preparing and reviewing answers you will give to potential questions is a very important job interview preparation step. However, the best interview will be a dialog where you not only answer questions, but you ask them too. In fact many employers say they learn as much from a candidate's questions as they do the answers they give to the interviewer's questions.
So it is also important to plan a few questions to ask the interviewer. Questions demonstrate a greater depth of interest in the organization and the job, along with an added demonstration of your preparedness.
Open ended questions about the organization, job responsibilities, and job selection process are among the most appropriate to ask. Include ones about the culture of the organization. This will give you information about the ministry's strengths and weaknesses. Learning about the culture will help you decide if it is an environment where you would be satisfied. Also, if you are looking to advance in your career, you may want to ask about opportunities for personal and professional growth. This will also give you a clue about how the organization values its people.
When asking questions about job responsibilities, you might probe for more specific details about the job. For example, ask specifically about the three or four most important tasks that the ideal candidate will be expected to perform. You may also ask how and when the person in this job will be evaluated. Also, ask about those with whom this worker will interact and collaborate and how that process is expected to function.
As the interview concludes, ask when a decision will be made about the position and if you should plan on interviewing with any others in the process. Finally, ask if you may contact the interviewer if you have any additional questions. This opens up an opportunity to follow-up with the employer to remind them about yourself and your qualifications.
Adapted from ChristianJobs.com 4/8/08
