Page 200 - John Kador - 301 Best Questions to Ask on Your Interview, Second Edition-McGraw-Hill (2010)

QUESTIONS FOR SUPERSTARS

energy by asking this very indirect question. You might get some
information the interview would not have otherwise volunteered.
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What’s the gross profit margin of the division I will be working in?

What percentage of the total profit from the company does it generate?
Is it increasing or decreasing?
It’s critical to know the contribution of your division or department

to the total profit of the organization. This is information that’s not
readily available, and the interviewer may be reluctant to give it to
you.
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What is it that motivates you to come in to work for this business? You
could use your skills in many companies, so why have you stayed with
(this company)?
Another attempt to start a conversation about the merits of the com-
pany and its values using the interviewer’s experience as something
of a baseline. Still another variation: In what ways is a career with
your company better than one with your competitor’s?
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Environmental sustainability is important to me, and I think it’s good
for the bottom line. What is the company doing to maintain environ-
mental consciousness?
Ask this question only if green issues are centrally important to you.
Ideally, it should be coordinated with other questions about sus-
tainability. Otherwise, you will be perceived as sanctimonious or a
phony.

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Without compromising confidentiality, can you tell me about any prom-

ising products (or services) that are in the development stage now?
The question shows respect for confidentiality of intellectual prop-

erty. It also solicits information that might make the interview more
productive.

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