Page 35 - John Kador - 201 Best Questions to Ask on Your Interview-McGraw-Hill (2002)

THE RULES OF THE GAME

It makes you look prepared. That’s a good thing as far as interview-
ers are concerned.

KNOW YOUR KILLER QUESTION
Depending on how the interview goes, you may have time to ask only
one question. If that’s the case, make it a killer question.
Everyone has a different killer question. Ask yourself, if you could
present just one question, what would it be? Think about the brand you
want to present. You are that brand. Take some time to think of the ques-
tion that allows you to differentiate yourself from the crowd.
In many cases, the killer question has three elements:

• A statement that you appreciate the company’s challenges or problem
• An assertion that you can solve the problem
• A request that you be given the opportunity to do so

The thoroughness with which you prepare for this question goes
a long way in deciding whether you will be successful in getting a
job offer.
Formulating open-ended, penetrating questions gives you a leg up
on the competition. The right questions give the hiring manager a bet-
ter picture of your value proposition to the company, the only basis
on which you will be offered a position. The 15 rules that follow pro-
vide guidance to help you strategize about the questions you will take
into your job interviews. Now is the time to be intentional about the
interview, to take control, and to put your best foot forward.

15 RULES FOR FRAMING BETTER QUESTIONS

The art of asking questions is considering what responses you prefer and
framing the questions to maximize your chances of getting the answers
you want. Here are 15 rules for asking better questions.

1. Ask Open-Ended Questions
Closed-ended questions can be answered yes or no, and begin with
words such as “did,” “has,” “does,” “would,” and “is.” Open-ended ques-

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