Want the Job? Ask these 4 Questions.

Most interviewees focus solely on their potential answers to interviewer queries when they prepare for an interview.

But it's really the questions you ask that can make or break your candidacy.

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At appropriate intervals during an interview, you should ask questions that communicate your interest in the position, highlight your capabilities and demonstrate your commitment to excelling in your career. 

Remember, since you’re competing (either with other candidates or against yourself),  by asking questions you are expanding your competitive palette from just answers to your answers and your questions.

“Based upon this interview, what doubts, if any, do you have about my ability to do this job?”

Tackle the interviewer’s doubts by first discovering them and then addressing them.  Some will be legitimate shortcomings but most will be misunderstandings. 

Either way, you should take your best shot at diffusing the interviewer’s concerns. 

Alternatively, the interviewer may respond that they have no doubt about your ability to handle the job.  And if they think this, you benefit from the interviewer stating it aloud. It helps strengthen their belief.

“I think I would fit in well with your company culture and values. How and how much does the company evaluate potential fit in its hiring decision process?”

“I think I would fit in well with your company culture and values. How and how much does the company evaluate potential fit in its hiring decision process?”

O.K., it’s a totally loaded question, but it is effective at getting the interviewer to think about your fit with the company. It also sets up a statement about how that fit should weigh favorably in the decision to hire you.

 More employees get let go for not fitting into the work culture than for any other reason. You should never fail to ask this question if you’re being interviewed by a potential boss.

“I know you must be talking to others about this position, and I may not be the lead candidate. Is there any additional background or information that I could provide to become the lead candidate?”

If you’re not the lead candidate, you should find out why. The competition may be too fierce and you should be looking elsewhere.  There are better and lesser people out there. The sooner you know that the competition is insurmountable, the better.

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Or you may be able to dispel the perceived superiority of the “lead candidate.”  Then again, you could be the lead candidate.  And if you are the lead candidate, the next question is critical...

“I really like this opportunity; I would like to ask for the job…”

Revel in a pregnant pause, ask for the job, and wait for the answer.  You could get it right there, especially if you’re the lead candidate. 

You may get a response such as “we have other people to see.”   To which you may respond, “Of course, I have some other interviews as well, but I wanted you to know that I would like this job.”  

Look, you should ask for every job you ever interview for.   Not necessarily because you want the job but you should never leave an interview completely uncertain of where you stand in the candidate ranking.

Asking for the job will provide you information about how you stack up against the competition and where the company is in the hiring process.

This post was originally published on BusinessInsider.com's Warroom .

Related articles

• Insights on company culture from Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh (bazaarvoice.com)
• Eight Interview Questions You Need to Ask (entrepreneur.com)
• A Google Interviewing Story (paultyma.blogspot.com)
• How to Hire With Fit in Mind (entrepreneur.com)