Use your research to provide content for your questions. Start a question by asking, ¡§Since your company has sold its ABC division, what direction do you see the company moving in the next 1-2 years?¡¨ You know the division was sold because you did your homework researching the ABC company. Whatever you learn in the research phase of your job search you can put to good use in the interview. Good questions will set you apart from the other candidates.

Some ideas for effective, open-ended questions to ask include:
č Where do you see the industry moving in the near future?
č Where do you see your company headed in the next few years?
č What about this department/this job?
ƒç What are the business¡¦ priorities?
č What is the critical responsibility of this position?
č How is this organization different from its competition?
č What are the challenges facing someone in this position? How would you like to see them managed?
č Define success in this organization?
č What are the most important things you look for in a member of your team?
č Why is this job available now?

If the interviewer seems annoyed with any of these questions, use your good sense to stop asking them.

Be prepared for the interviewer¡¦s questions, too. A good interviewer will ask situational questions. Situational questions tend to get an honest answer far more often than direct questions. For example, if you¡¦re asked whether you work well with other team members, the answer will always be OF COURSE. A much better question is: "Tell me a time about a difficult team situation and how did you handled it.¡¨ Be careful with situational questions - answer honestly, but not with too much detail that might show you in a bad light.

The more you prepare ahead of time, the better your interview will be. Do this by thinking of questions that you want the answers to, of course. But also think (and even write down) your major accomplishments so that you¡¦ll be ready to tell some stories about your achievements when asked. As in many things, the more prepared you are the better you will perform. An interview is one of those times to shine because you¡¦re prepared.

Since 1994, Jan has been a career advisor, helping individuals and groups with career decisions and job search techniques. Her practical approach helps client find the jobs they want and then offers techniques to find them. She also teaches courses on entrepreneurship, small business marketing, career decision-making and networking, among others. Her practice is nationwide. You can contact Jan at: Cannon Career Development, Inc. via their toll free number: 888 550 4544. Please visit www.cannoncareercenter.com.

Recommended Resources:
Resume Distribution: EmailRecruiters.com
Resume Posting: ResumeRacer.com
Resume Writing: CareerProResume.com