Congratulations! After spending days, weeks or months job searching, you just landed an interview with that company you’ve been coveting. You have identified your “dress for success” interview attire, practiced interview questions and researched the company Web site. But did you remember to prepare your own questions? Interviewing for a job is two-way street.

Taking a new job is a big change and you want to be sure this is the right fit for you. Asking the right questions of your interviewer will help you to determine that, as well as impress your future boss. By asking questions you are letting your employer know that you have done your homework and you are interested in this position not as a job, but as a career. 

For example, inquiring about a company’s long term objectives indicates you’re committed for the long-term and interested in the future success of the organization as a whole. Questions posed about training and development tells your prospective employer that you want to grow and develop with them. You also find out how much they plan to invest in you as an employee and what advancement opportunities are available.

Some of your questions may be answered in the course of the interview or on the company Web site, so be careful not to ask something that’s already been addressed. Also make sure to keep your questions relevant to the job and the company you are interviewing with. You probably want to know about salary and benefits, but you should let the employer raise this subject first or wait until a second interview. Some other questions you should ask are as follows:

1. What is the company’s organizational structure and how does this department fit in?
2. Can you describe your corporate culture?
3. What type of training do you offer, and are there ongoing training or continuing education classes available? 
4. What kind of advancement opportunities exist within the company?
5. What are the day-to-day responsibilities of the job?
6. What is the management style and how do you approach problem solving?
7. Can you describe your ideal employee?
8. Is there any other information I can provide you?
9. How many steps are there in the interview process?
10. When do you expect to reach a decision?

Remember to remain proactive, ask for clarification if needed and keep a positive focus during your interview. Don’t forget to thank the interviewer for their time, get a business card and follow up. Most importantly, make sure you leave the interview with a good sense of whether you’d fit in well, with both the job and the company overall.