So you’re at the big interview and you think you’ve aced it so far, thanks to the night you spent cramming on answers to any and all interview questions you could possibly be asked. But then the tsunami hits: "Do you have any questions for me?" asks the interviewer.

What oh what could they possibly expect you to ask about?

Believe it or not, knowing what questions to ask in an interview is just as important as knowing how to answer them. So here are a few ideas about the kinds of questions you should and shouldn’t ask, courtesy of the experts.

"My list of shoulds would include asking questions to assess the culture of the organization and see if it’s a fit for you -- for example questions like: ‘How would you describe the management style?’ of a particular department or ‘What types of training opportunities are available?’ or ‘What are the biggest challenges in this role?’" says Amal Kandar, senior manager for campus recruitment programs for CIBC. "Another good question to ask would be "What does it take to be successful in this role?’"

"It’s always good to ask questions about what the company is doing in order to learn whether its goals and values align with yours," says industrial psychologist and career coach Charles Handler. "That way you can determine how well you’ll fit in there." For example, you might ask whether a company has any involvement in energy efficiency initiatives, suggests Handler, adding much of this information is available on a company’s website.

It's also good to ask questions that demonstrate your knowledge of and interest in the company. "Candidates should always do research prior to their interviews and their questions should demonstrate that they know something about the company or the industry they’re interviewing for," says Kandar. "For example, if they’re interviewing for CIBC, they should have an idea of what’s going on in the financial market, and perhaps ask how it’s impacting the department they’re interviewing for."

"I might ask about how business has been or what the company’s business plan is for the next couple of years, but do it in a way that shows you’ve done research," adds Handler.

Asking questions also gives you the opportunity to stand out in a sea of applicants, Kandar points out. "I also look for candidates to ask unique questions rather than questions that sound scripted," she says. "As an on campus recruiter I often get asked questions that are very typical, such as ‘What would a typical day be like?’ No one can ever really answer that question because every day is different."

As to the don'ts? Well, personal questions are a no-no. For example, don't ask where the interviewer got her hair done or where he lives. "Keep it professional," says Handler. Questions that show you snooped about the interviewer online are also verboten. For example, asking them about something you found out about them on their Facebook page.

Also in the don’t-ask category are questions about events that may have embarrassed the company. For example: you shouldn’t ask the interviewer whether the company you’re interviewing for is still paying off a lawsuit. That’s just bad manners.
Avoid questions that demonstrate outstanding ignorance of the company. For example, don’t ask whether you’ll have to deal with customers if you work in a bank. You should have a pretty good idea of what you’re interviewing for before the interview. If you don’t, what on earth are you doing there?

Questions about compensation are a tricky gray area, the subject of much debate even among recruiters. While some say this question is downright rude, others will tolerate it under certain circumstances. "I don’t think it’s wrong to ask about compensation," says Kandar. "But I do think it’s not the only question or the first question a candidate should ask. If the candidate does ask, it should be done in a tactful way, that doesn’t imply the only thing they’re interested in is the money." Chances are this is the kind of information you can get online or from a career counsellor anyway. Just google salary ranges for the job you’re interviewing for. The actual salary question only becomes important when you’re offered a job.

Overall, keep in mind that in an interview it’s just as important for you to ask questions as it is for you to answer them. "Too many students see the job interview as a situation where they’re the supplicants," says Paul Smith, in career services at Queen’s University. "Take the opportunity to find out about the culture of the organization and its goals and see if they align with yours. Remember you’re looking for a match, not asking for a favour." jp