Are you prepared to ASK intelligent questions, to position yourself as someone extremely interested in the organization?

After all, the interview process is all about you and the company assessing each other for good fit. As I said, this is part of your due diligence. Now is the time to find out if this job and company are really right for you.

It’s okay to bring a written list with you for reference, but review your questions several times in advance. If you can ask some of them without referring to your written list, you’ll come off as well-prepared.

Here are some typical questions to ask interviewers:

• What does your best-fit candidate look like?
• Why is the position open?
• What responsibilities in this job are really going to define success for this person?
• What skills and qualities will be most important in this position?
• If there’s a job description, may I see a copy of it?
• What will my first assignment be?
• What are the prospects for growth and advancement?
• [If this is a short-term consulting gig] How long do you expect the project to last?
• Any major changes coming internally that I should know about?
• Where do you see this division/company in the next five years?
• How can I demonstrate that I’m a good fit for this position?
• What do you (the interviewer) like and not like about working here?

Read more in my article, Executive Interview Questions: What Should YOU Ask?