[beanbag]

when your recruiter invites you to a second and final interview and says "come prepared with questions," what exactly does that mean? what do you ask? what do you not ask?

i've been googling and asking other contacts like crazy and i've gotten some answers (and some conflicting answers) so any input/ideas/advice you guys have would be great, particularly those who remember pretty clearly the process they went through for their first or most recent entry-level job.


if you need relevant info: this is for an entry-level corporate sales support position. if you want to know how corporate: i have to wear stockings to my interview. =|

[onebrickshy]

I've always been told that you should be well informed about the company and your questions should be directed at things you wouldn't necessarily be able to find out outside the company(i.e. benefits, opportunity for advancement...) I have also been told to be cautious when or if you hit negotiation for salary and such.

I have never really had an interview that would fit in to your category so keep checking and consulting with others. But I though I would added what I have been told.

[MtlMom]

Ask about things that you know are important to the company - mission, vision, and values. Ask about opportunities for advancement and what they are looking for as characteristics for their employees. If appropriate, you might ask if there are opportunities for cross-training to other roles so that you can better understand the corporation as a whole.

[Gustin]

Mrs M covered most of them (advancement, company values etc)... Try to make it a point to ask specific questions about the company.. stuff that shows you know about the company and are interested in its future. For example: "I saw last year your company started such-and-such a program, would this position be involved in the future of that program?"

One question I've used towards the end of the interview is: "Is there anything that might prevent you from hiring me that I can address right now?" It forces the interviewer to think hard about you as a candidate and if there's nothing to address, it solidifies in their mind that you are a good fit for the job. If there is something to address, it gives you a chance to do that (where the interviewer might of previously not gone into it and just ruled you out). The couple times I've used it the interviewers always seemed pretty impressed.

[OiBoyz]

I don't have anything to add, but good luck!

[beanbag]

thanks everyone.

gustin--thanks especially for that question. i hadn't thought of that one. i'm not sure if it's applicable to my situation or not (i think i'll be shadowing a current employee. it's like a two hour deal or something like that, and i'm not sure if they actually have hiring power, or just make recommendations based on our interaction.) but it can't hurt to ask.

[OiBoyz]

Well?

[beanbag]

haven't heard anything yet. =\

[OiBoyz]

Here's hoping no news is good news.

[beanbag]

thanks. =)

i can see the pros and cons both of getting the job and of keeping my current job, so right now i'm in a place where i just have to trust that God will show me what He wants for me. if i'm offered the job, i've already said i'll take it, but i am still so conflicted about it! i guess this is why it's always better just to trust God and let Him make the decisions.

[beanbag]

i got the job!

i cried today when i told my coworkers i'm not coming back next year. =\

[Gustin]

Congratulations!!

[beanbag]

thank you! =)