Job candidates should use those
precious interview minutes to make some smart quer-ies, says
business consultant Gregg Stocker, right, author of Avoiding
the Corporate Death Spiral (ASQ Quality Press). Good questions
to ask:
What is the company’s
mission? Job seekers should be concerned about conflicting
or confused responses, or answers that stress profits or
shareholders. “That immediately tells me they don’t understand the
basics of business,” says Stocker. “Although shareholders are very
important, they are not the reason organizations are created.”
How does the company measure
success? Does management track customer satisfaction,
on-time delivery and employee morale? Be concerned if these things
do not get the same level of attention as do financial results.
How does the company develop
leaders? Have any internal candidates applied for this
position? Have at least some of the interviewers risen through the
ranks?
How would my bonus be
calculated? If bonuses are part of the compensation
package, ask whether the formula is based on your performance.