Page 143 - John Kador - 201 Best Questions to Ask on Your Interview-McGraw-Hill (2002)

THE QUESTION LIFE CYCLE

? Memorably Good Question

#14
What was the last fun thing that you did that wasn’t work-
related?

I had made it through a series of interviews for a position in
New York City that paid about $60,000 per year. After interview-
ing with the manager and owner of the company, I had a gut
feeling that they expected employees to work 14-hour days
plus weekends. How could I ask a question about work hours
without appearing lazy or like a clock-watcher? So at the end of
my third interview, I asked the manager that question. Her face
turned a bit sullen as she said, “Well, I had fun at the company
business party we had on our business trip to Canada.” From
that one question, I learned that if I accepted the position, I’d be
signing my life away to this company.
Bob Johnson
Director of Public Relations
St. Bartholomew’s Church
New York, NY

and are most likely going to be straight with you. You may ask these
people about the informal power structure, the unwritten priorities, what
it really takes to be successful, and what they most want to change.

15 BEST DEFENSIVE QUESTIONS

10-1
If I were a spectacular success in this position after six months, what
would I have accomplished?
This is a very bold way to understand the “dream list” of accomplish-
ments you will, on some level, be expected to fulfill.

10-2
Do you foresee this job involving significant amounts of overtime or
work on weekends?
It’s a fair question, so ask it straight.

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