Page 167 - John Kador - 201 Best Questions to Ask on Your Interview-McGraw-Hill (2002)

THE QUESTION LIFE CYCLE

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

THE JOB AND
THE DEPARTMENT

13-12
How many approvals would it take (and how long) to get a new $110,000
project idea of mine approved? What percentage of employee-initiated
projects in this job were approved last year?
Ask for examples. If you want to be part of a nimble organization, this
is a great way to ask.

13-13
How many days will it take for you (and the company) to make a hiring
decision for this position?
The superstar might as well have said “hours.” Organizations these days
know they have to move quickly to snag the best candidates.

13-14
Who are the “coolest” people on my team? What makes them cool?
Can I meet them? Who is the best and worst performer on the team,
and what was the difference in their total compensation last year? Sell
me on this team and the individuals on it that I get to work with.What
makes my closest coworkers fun or great people to work with?
A complicated question, but all focused on understanding the makeup of
the team you will be joining. These are the people who will determine
whether you succeed or fail.
13-15
What is your “learning plan” for me for my first six months? What
competencies do you propose I will develop that I don’t currently
have? Which individual in the department can I learn the most from?
What can he or she teach me? Can I meet that person? Does the com-
pany have a specific program to advance my career?
These questions pin the company down on resources for advancing your
portfolio of skills.

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