Interviewers like prospective employees to ask questions at the end of a job interview. They feel that if an interviewee doesn't care enough to have questions, they don't care enough for the job. Job seekers should always bring a list of questions to an interview and make sure to ask them--just as long as they don't ask how much it pays or when they will be getting a raise. Let's stay tasteful.
Questions and reflections:
1. What kind of challenges could I expect to face in a typical day in this position?
Reflection: I like to work jobs that not only allow me to stretch my creative wings, but I enjoy being regularly challenged. If the work is not challenging enough, I can get bored and boredom is a very bad thing for me. What I'm looking for in this question is to see what kind of challenges are most prevalent in the role and whether or not I will find the day-to-day work interesting.
2. I know this company handles a number of different kinds of projects. What kinds of projects would I be working on?
Reflection: I specifically want to be getting into making video game and/or movie trailers, which I know this company does do. Asking this will let me know if I will have the opportunity to work on the trailers as part of my regular projects or if I would only be working on commercials and nothing more. Either way would not mean I would not take the job if offered, but it would shape how I would want my career with them to proceed.
3. Are the creatives encouraged to be bold and try new things in their projects or does the company have a tried and true formula that they prefer to adhere to?
Reflection: I don't mind doing formulaic work sometimes, but I prefer a position that allows me to truly stretch myself creatively and formula work isn't usually terribly conducive to such a thing. I'm looking to discover what kind of a company it is. Those who don't mind giving their creatives some leeway are usually a lighter, more spontaneous atmosphere in which I thrive. Companies that like to use the same formula tend to be more subdued, less spontaneous, and might find me a bit more than what they are used to. As the sixth of six children, I'm used to controlled chaos and prefer a livelier atmosphere when I work. I get nervous when I have to work in a place that is silent. I only like the sound of silence when I'm surrounded by mountains; otherwise, I work better with some noise.
4. Why is this role available?
Reflection: This is a good way to find out some information about the ability to move upward within the company. I don't mind starting out at the bottom. I expect that. I just don't want to stay on the bottom for a long time. Once I've learned the job, I want the opportunity to move up. If there is no place to go, this is probably not the company for me.
If the position is a new one, they are probably a company that is experiencing some healthy growth which makes it a more stable place to work.
5. What would be your expectations in regard to my performance and skills within the first 12 months?
Reflection: I'm still learning this new career. Some companies will hire you out of school, yet expect their newbies to have the knowledge of someone that has been doing the job for years. Other companies are fine with your level of expertise, but don't want to bother with training you further. I don't even want to start at a company that has unrealistic goals for their employees, whether they're expecting too much from the new hire or too little.
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