Job Interview Questions

Ask for examples. If you want to be part of a nimble organization, this is a great way to ask.

Lori Cappozzi Questions for Superstars
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You plan to generate great intellectual property for the company. It’s fair to know how those assets will be managed.

Lori Cappozzi Questions for Superstars
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Superstars, the most highly sought after candidates, can afford to be picky. Even in today’s economy, the competition for the most talented contributors is brisk. For that reason, superstars can ask prospective employers questions that other candidates would have a hard time getting away with. “Superstars can interview the company with bone-chilling questions to make sure they select the best opportunity offered them,” says Dr. John Sullivan, professor and head of Human Resource Management at San Francisco State University. The following are the types of questions that the most confident candidates routinely ask, according to Dr. Sullivan.

Lori Cappozzi Questions for Superstars
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If you want to push the interviewer for a decision, you can apply some subtle pressure by using one of the questions below. You will create a sense of urgency that might prompt the interviewer to come back with an offer quicker than he or she might have. But it also introduces a lot of risk. The interviewer may feel pressured or even bullied. Do it only when you can afford to lose-if you in fact have other offers in the bank or you are comfortably employed.

Lori Cappozzi Bid-for-Action Questions
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Notice how confident the question is. It’s not “if” but “when.” The question deftly reminds the interviewer that just as the company is considering you, you are considering the company.

Lori Cappozzi Bid-for-Action Questions
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In general, as we discussed, it’s tricky to be too direct in asking for the job. But if you are applying for any kind of sales representative job, then asking for the job is not optional. If you don’t ask for the job in the interview, you probably won’t get it. The employer wants you to be able to close the sale. Why should the employer give you a chance selling his or her product or service when you can’t even sell yourself? Remember, the job of a sales representative is to ask for the order and to close the deal, not just make a nice presentation.

Lori Cappozzi Bid-for-Action Questions
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Asking for the job directly is tricky, and there’s some disagreement from recruiters and job coaches. Some consider asking for the job assertive; others think it cheeky or smacking of desperation. My personal preference is to err on the side of being assertive. The meek may, as the Bible says, inherit the earth, but they don’t necessarily get jobs. As always, you have to use your radar and trust your instincts.

Lori Cappozzi Bid-for-Action Questions
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Jobs interviews are sales calls. The product you are selling is yourself. Marketing 101 says that every marketing message needs a bid for action: a clearly worded request for the order. Pick up the phone. Send in the response card. Click on the link. Give me an offer.

Lori Cappozzi Bid-for-Action Questions
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If you get a sense that the interviewer thinks you are underqualified, here’s a question that might give you a shot at persuading him or her that you have what it takes.

Lori Cappozzi Feedback Questions
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Ed Koch, a former New York mayor, made famous this quip: “How’m I doing?” You should pepper your conversation with forms of this question as well. Feedback questions allow you to uncover and disarm an interviewer’s concerns.

Lori Cappozzi Feedback Questions
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