Page 56 - 201 Best Questions To Ask On Your Interview

QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD NEVER INITIATE

how much you are coaxed. This joke, for example, has made the rounds
of the HR chat boards.

Reaching the end of a job interview, the human resources person
asked a young engineer fresh out of MIT what kind of a salary he
was looking for.
“In the neighborhood of $140,000 a year, depending on the ben-
efits package.”
“Well, what would you say to a package of five weeks vacation,
14 paid holidays, full medical and dental, company-matching re-
tirement fund to 50 percent of salary, and a company car leased
every 2 years . . . say, a red Corvette?”
“Wow! You’re kidding!” the young engineer said.
“Yeah, but you started it.”

Five Rules for Using Humor

1. Poke fun at yourself only, nothing else.
2. Follow the interviewer’s lead.
3. Don’t force it.
4. No sarcasm at any time.
5. If in doubt, don’t.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE INTERVIEWER
Because individuals relate to individuals, it’s natural that applicants
want to know about the interviewer. The interviewer also happens to be
the most immediate representative of the company they hope to join. Is
it appropriate to ask questions about the interviewer’s history, opinions,
and experience?
Absolutely. People like to talk to people. Most applicants want to
know about the interviewer. One big question is how personal can you
get without crossing the line? “Asking questions about the interviewer is
fine if you keep the questions relevant and focused on the job,” says Bob

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