Land That Job: What Interviewers Really Want You to Ask Them

April 19, 2010— -- There have been bits of good news of late in the job market: 162,000 positions were added to payrolls last month, the biggest jump since the beginning of the recession. Hopefully we'll see those numbers continue to climb, which means more opportunity for job seekers to interview for new openings.

During every interview, recruiters always ask job seekers, "Do you have any questions for me?" The worst answer is "no."

When you ask questions, no matter how thorough the conversation has been, it shows you're genuinely interested in that particular company and position, not just desperate to get any job.

Plus, by asking smart questions, you can get some crucial intelligence into how the company works and what you can expect if you work there.

I polled some of my contacts at top companies to find out what they think applicants should ask.

Nikki Gordon, a talent manager at 7-Eleven, says she always likes when a candidate asks simply, "Why is this position vacant?"

You want to know why the position is vacant because it can give you insight into the nature of the job and the culture. Maybe it's newly created because the company is growing. Maybe someone was promoted from within. Both potentially positive signs.

But maybe it's vacant because of high turnover. You don't want to discover on Day One that you're the eighth person in six months to occupy that desk. So if the answer is about turnover, that's a clue to you to probe a bit more.

Pam Webster at Enterprise Rent-a-Car says she likes when candidates ask about the company culture.

Company culture means what is it like to work at that company -- the vibe, the atmosphere, the values, the work styles and preferences -- and what it's like to be immersed in that environment every day.

Success isn't only about performing your particular position; it's also about how you fit into that environment. They're sizing you up for cultural fit, and you should be doing the same with them. They want to know what makes you tick and what ticks you off.

And you'll want to know that their culture is one that you feel is conducive to your success. Is it one you'd be proud to be affiliated with every day? Are the company's values aligned with your own?