Page 127 - John Kador - 201 Best Questions to Ask on Your Interview-McGraw-Hill (2002)

INTERVIEW THE INTERVIEWER

about whether it’s a good fit for you. If you want to make the best deci-
sion possible for yourself, there is no alternative but to ask. The more
senior the position you are applying for, the more expected it is for you
to ask the hard questions. Many of the questions in this book are appro-
priate for public and private companies, but the following questions are
targeted for private companies only:

• Is the company profitable?

• How is the company funded?
• Who are the investors?
• How are corporate decisions made?
• How is the company organized?
• What is the company’s burn rate?

• How much money does the company have in the bank?
• What are the growth opportunities?
• Has the company considered filing for an IPO (initial public
offering)?
• Is private stock available to me? What about stock options?

• Has the company been approached for a merger or takeover?
• What was the company’s reaction to the merger or acquisition
overture?
• Has that attitude changed?
• Where do you see the company (or function) going in the next
three years?
• Can you tell me about the company’s roots?

As former president Ronald Reagan would say, “Trust, but verify.”
Asking these questions is just the first step. Confirming the accuracy
of the answers is the second.

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