You are at the interview and the potential employer asks: `Do you have any questions for us?`
You say `YES!`

That`s the easy part of the interview. Always answer with ‘yes’. If you ask them questions you show them you are interested and not just that, you also have the chance to show them how well you know the domain in which you are willing to work. More importantly, it can differentiate you from other candidates.

Here are some questions you can ask in different stages of the interview:

The recruiter: first interviewer
It`s their job to identify the best candidates. Think of them as a generic character. They can answer to general questions about the department.
Here are some examples:
- How would you describe the company`s organizational culture?
- What kind of employees are the superstars in the company?
- Can you tell me more about the interview process?

The department manager: your future boss:
This is probably the person who will supervise you, if you get hired. He knows more about the job and its requirements. You should ask him specific questions about the work place, responsibilities and the future tasks.

Here are some questions you can ask:
- What are the most important qualities/assets a candidate should have for this particular job?
- How would you describe the ideal candidate?
- What are the career perspective for an employee in this position?

The manager/CEO: the most important person
If one of the company`s managers/CEOs is attending the interview, most likely he knows about the latest news/developments in the industry. You can also ask them specific questions about the job, but focus on asking about the future of the company and also the industry. It is your chance to show off your knowledge.

Here`s what you can ask:
- How do you see the industry in the next 5 years?
- What are your company`s advantages over the competition?
- What is your biggest challenge? How do you plan on overcoming it?

The colleague: speak frankly
Some interviews may also include a potential colleague – most likely to let you know how`s on the “inside”. Still, do not expect detailed information. And, don`t ask for it!

A few questions:
- How would you describe a typical day in the department?
- What can you say about the work environment in the company?
- What is the most pleasant part about your job? And the most difficult?

Good luck finding the right job for you!

Best,
CeeVee Team

What is the first step in getting a job, the interview?
No, it`s getting through to the person making the CV selection, the recruiter.

Recruiters are usually the first contact with a potential employer. And many times they decide if your CV will reach the HR manager`s desk or archive room. It is important to have an idea about what recruiters do, but must also know and what they do not. After all, you do not want an inappropriate request to ruin your chances of an interview. So avoid the four things that you should never expect from a recruiter.

Don`t be too friendly with them

Certainly, some recruiters are usually friendly and helpful. After all, their responsibility is to guide you through the recruiting process. But, they are professionals and it is crucial to remember that. Think of the recruiter as a well respected colleague and treat them accordingly. Be friendly, but not too familiar. It`s wiser to keep personal conversations, jokes and physical contact to a minimum. Don`t do/say anything that you wouldn’t do/say to your boss (or your mom).

Don`t expect career coaching

A recruiter`s objective is not to help you get a job, but to guide you through the recruitment process at a certain company. They are not professional career trainers. Don`t bother asking them for help in creating your cover letter or your CV, or how to plan your career. You can ask them about the company or the industry in general, try to ask questions related to the job you applied for. Save your best questions for the hiring manager, the person you have to impress the most.

Don`t ask for inside information

There is only one candidate for the job, that you have to worry about: YOU. Although it may be difficult, try not to ask questions about the other candidates. Usually, you won`t get an answer from the recruiters. And you asking specific details about your competition, may create an impression of uncertainty from your part. Still, you can ask questions about the recruitment process or about the job. Here are some examples of questions you can ask:
* Do you have anymore candidates scheduled for interview?
* How many candidates have applied until now?
* How would you describe the ideal candidate for this job?
* Is there something I can change/improve in order to be a better candidate?
The best way to remove competition? Make sure you are perceived as a competitive candidate.

Don`t ask for special treatment

Although you wish to be, you are not the only candidate for the job. And, although the recruiters are willing to help, their goal is not to be your advocate in front of the HR manager. Their goal is to find a person for the job. Don`t ever ask a recruiter to put in a good word for you. If they will consider you a good candidate, most likely they’ll do it by themselves.
Also, don`t ask them to send a message from you to the HR Manager. Instead of saying, `Tell him … it was nice meeting him`, you`d better send a thank you note. Speaking for yourself shows that you are capable, confident and conscientious.

Remember, if you give the proper respect to the recruiter, he will do the same to you.

Best,
CeeVee Team

When work becomes the sole reason of your existence, the only thing on your mind and the only thing that makes you happy, it`s time for a little intervention. A warning: `Work addiction is bad for your health`. To determine your level of `concentration` at work, we would like to suggest you take the following test, to which you will have to answer with `yes` or `no`.

1. You arrive early, stay late and do more than you are required
2. You rarely take days off or holidays
3. You don`t know how to delegate responsibilities
4. You are a perfectionist
5. You can not relax
6. You work at a fast pace and get angry when others do not work ‘hard’
7. You can not see things in perspective and you can not tell what is important
8. You can not define the boundary between work time and time for relaxation, work has taken over you
9. The relationship with family or friends is distant and cold
10. You think only of what you did at work
11.You lost your sense of humor
12. You are convinced that work is fun and that you can stop at any time, while others think you have to cut it down a bit
13. You tend to please your superiors
14. You are showing signs of impatience and hostility when you are dealing with your subordinates
15. You have no hobbies and no social life

If your answer is `yes` to 10-15 questions, you should start considering to what extent your life is governed by work, to prevent a deterioration of family relationships and your overall health.
If you answered `yes` to 3-9 questions don`t think you are out of the woods yet, because you tend to let work take over you. With little support and certain changes you can prevent negative effects.
If you answered `yes` to less than three questions, you’re not a workaholic. Maybe you work hard, but you did not become addicted. You don`t have to worry that your work style will affect you or others.

Best,
CeeVee Team