Questions

Typical scenario:

Job interview. In business clothes with binder of resumes. Sitting in office with interviewer.

They ask questions. They pause and read notes on your resume. Look up and ask questions.

You sit politely and answer. You practiced your answers. You are trying hard not to fidget and think about the electric bill which is due today. Or whether or not your turned off the iron at home.

You say nothing other than answer the questions posed to you.

Wow - one dimensional at best.

Try this: Go to your next interview. Dress correctly, be on time, the usuals.

When the interviewer comes in let them lead with a few questions. Then start asking more questions as part of your answers.

For instance:

Interviewer: You have here at your last job that you brought in and maintained several key accounts. Who for instance?

You: From my network I came in with Pepsi, John Deere and Pacific Gas and Electric, all of whom I successfully transferred over to our system and services. How do you work that here? If I bring to the table certain accounts of that type, will I continue to maintain them? Will they be my accounts or will they be handed over to a more senior member of the staff? Will they become house accounts? Is there any consideration for the caliber and depth of an account with your company?

Keep it up. Ask lots of questions. Ask about the company. Ask anything. You may go to work for this company for five years. Why aren't you asking the real question "Will I be able to do my work the way I need too?".

Finally, never, ever, ever end an interview without asking the interviewer - "What do you like about working here and what excites you about coming to work every day?". If the interviewer cannot answer the question, politely excuse yourself and leave.