Asking appropriate questions demonstrates your interest in the job. It also gives you the opportunity to lead the interviewer into your strongest areas. Your questions and the interviewer’s answers shouldn’t exceed 10 percent of the total interview time. Questioning must be done naturally at opportune times, and in a non-threatening manner. No question should be asked unless you are certain the answer will make you appear interested, intelligent and qualified. Don’t ask personal, controversial, or negative questions of any kind. Stay away from asking anything that will lead into sensitive areas.

Here are examples of benign questions that have a favorable impact.

1. How many employees does the company have?

2. What are the company’s plans for expansion?

3. How many employees does the department have?

4. Is the relationship between the department and senior management favorable?

5. What is the supervisor’s management style?

6. To whom does the supervisor report?

7. How long will it take to make a hiring decision?

8. How long has the position been open?

9. How many employees have held the position in the past five years?

10. How many employees have been promoted from the position in the past five years?

11. What does the company consider the five most important duties of the position?

12. What do you expect the employee you hire to accomplish?

What about questions related to benefits?

You have the right to ask but the key is to know when to do so. Under no circumstances do you want to spring these questions on the interviewer early in your conversation; doing so will make it seem as if you were more interested in what the company can do for you, when at this juncture what you want to get across is what you can do for the company.

The best advice for raising these questions is to have them firmly in mind so that you can ask them at the appropriate times during the interview.

1. What type of medical insurance benefits program does the company offer?

2. What is the extent of the coverage of the program?

3. Is there any vacation benefit for this position?

4. Does the company have a profit-sharing plan?

5. Will the company arrange for and pay for my moving expenses? (if you need to be based at a place different from your current residence)

Source Allen, Jeffrey G. The Complete Q&A Job Interview Book 238-242. John Wiley & Sons, Inc, 2004