Table of Contents

Foreword by Janice Bryant Howroyd

Acknowledgements

Introduction

• Raising the Ante for Job Seekers
• An Interview Between the Reader and the Author

Part I The Rules of the Game

Chapter 1

Why you have to question
Questions are not an option

• Vested in the Interview
• A Questioning Attitude
• Can’t I Just Wing It?
• Write Your Questions Down
• Know Your Killer Question
• Fifteen Rules for Framing Better Questions

Chapter 2

Questions You Should Never Initiate
Don’t go there

• Compensation
• Self-limiting Questions
• What about Humor?
• Make Fun Only of Yourself
• Questions About the Interviewer
• Yes, There Really Are Dumb Questions
• All-Time Deal-Killing Questions

Chapter 3

When to Question
No need to wait for an invitation

• Before the Beginning
• The Pre-emptive Question
• In the Beginning
• At the End

Chapter 4

Do Your Homework

• Know before you ask
• Start with Company’s Web Site
• Other Web Resources
• Business Periodicals
• Local Newspapers
• Local Business Journals
• Trade Publications
• Trade Associations
• What Information Should I Collect?

Chapter 5

Do You Mind if I Take Notes?
Why taking notes is critical

• The Arguments Against Taking Notes
• The Arguments for Taking Notes
• The Rules of the Game
• What about Electronic Devices?

Part II Interview the Interviewer

All Interviews Are Important But Some are More Important Than Others

Chapter 6

Best Questions for Headhunters, Recruiters, and Staffing Agencies

• Contingency and Retainer Agencies
• Twenty Five Best Questions for Headhunters, Recruiters, and Staffing Agencies

Chapter 7

Best Questions for Human Resources

• The Care and Feeding of HR People
• Ally with HR Interviewer
• Thirty Best Questions for Human Resources

Chapter 8

Best Questions for Hiring Managers

• The Hiring Manager Needs You
• 35 Best Questions for Hiring Managers
• 5 Best Questions about the Hiring Manager’s Management Style
• 10 Best Questions about Corporate Culture
• 25 Questions about General Business Objectives
• 5 Best Questions About Co-Workers
• 6 Best Questions about Customer Service
• 5 Best Questions for Company Founders and Owners
• Questions for Private Companies

Part III The Question Lifecycle

Four Questions

If the Culture Fits

Company Culture Survey

Chapter 9

Exploring Questions
Questions that demonstrate your interest in the job and the company

• 8 Best Questions about the Position
• 10 Best Questions About Information Technology
• 5 Best Questions for Sales and Marketing Positions
• Additional Exploring Questions

Chapter 10

Defensive Questions
Questions that let you know what you're getting into and protect you from making a mistake

• Fifteen Best Defensive Questions

Chapter 11

Feedback Questions
Questions that indicate and solidify your position

• Ten Best Feedback Questions

Chapter 12

Bid for Action Questions
Questions that clinch the offer.

• What Recruiters Think
• But Sales Jobs Are Different
• 10 Best Bid for Action Questions
• Creating a Sense of Urgency

Chapter 13

Questions for Superstars
Bone-chilling questions for when they know you’re the best

• The Company
• The Job and the Department

Chapter 14

You Got an Offer. Congratulations!
Now’s the time to ask all those questions you wanted to ask

• Compensation
• Benefits
• Restrictions
• Moving Expenses
• The Community
• Housing or Rental Costs
• Other Issues

Chapter 15

You Blew the Interview. Now What?
Leverage rejection into a questioning experience

• Understanding Rejection
• Cutting Through the Pretense
• Enlarge the Recruiter’s Territory
• Ten Final Tips for Asking Powerful Questions

Index of Questions

201 Best Questions to Ask On Your Job Interview

Index of Memorably Good Questions

Index of Memorably Bad Questions

About the Author

201 Best Questions to Ask On Your Interview is published by McGraw-Hill.

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