At a job interview, the employer takes the lead in asking questions about your experience, education, skills, attitude, and so on. But, at some point the interviewer will turn to you and ask if you have any questions.

This is your chance to shine. The decision on whether to hire you depends as much on the questions you ask as on the ones you answer. Here are some winning questions:

1. What is it that you need this person to do right now, to help you out?
2. Why was this job created?
3. What are the main tasks during the first six months?
4. What is the most urgent or hard part of the job?
5. How much freedom will I have in getting the job done?
6. What does the supervisor expect?
7. Can you tell me about your performance appraisal system?
8. Tell me more about how my work would fit into the big picture.
9. Why did the previous person in this job leave?
10. When will you be making your decision to fill this job?

On the other hand, on the first interview try to avoid self-serving questions, such as:

1. What about fringe benefits?
2. When will I get a raise?
3. What about seniority rights?