Asking questions during a job interview will achieve several things.  It will convey to the employer that you have a sincere interest in the role and the organization.  It will also indicate that you take your career seriously and that you want to make an informed decision about your future.  And it will provide you with important information to help you decide whether the role is right for you.

During the interview, you will likely be able to collect a lot of information about the role and the company, but often some very pertinent details are not brought up. Asking intelligent, relevant questions is an important element in successful interviewing.  Here are some examples:

1. What is the history of the job? If the position is being newly created, this may indicate growth in the organization.  Also, it may mean that the job description hasn’t been clearly defined, leaving room for the successful candidate to contribute to this process. On the other hand, if it is an existing role, it may be interesting to know why the person is leaving.

2. What is the potential for advancement in this company? This question shows ambition.  Also, you should know if this position will potentially lead you to your long term career goals.

3. Who does this position report to?  Is it an individual or a board of directors?  Having a boss that is in the same office every day is quite different from reporting to a committee with whom you only meet on monthly basis.

4. Is there an established method for trading information and ideas within the company?  Some companies have open door policies wherein you can bounce ideas and information randomly, whereas other organizations have a specific structure of regularly scheduled meetings for things like brainstorming.

5. How will your performance be evaluated?  Depending on the nature of the job, you may have targets to meet, or you may be required to submit daily or weekly progress reports.  It is important to know that you will be evaluated, especially if pay is tied to performance measures.

6. How will the orientation or training period be structured?  Some employers take new employees through a comprehensive training program, while others prefer a hit-the-ground-running approach.

7. What will the benchmarks be in the first six months of employment?  The first year?  Know your employer’s expectations.

8. What is the company’s history? You want to get an idea of how well established this organization is, how long they have been in business, and what their reputation is.

9. What is the turn-over ratio? Look for the “revolving door” syndrome. If employees are frequently leaving or being replaced, there are probably very good reasons. 

The job interview is as much a fact-finding opportunity for you as it is for the employer. Asking questions will not only impress the boss, it will equip you with the facts you need to make an informed decision abut your professional future.