As with any interview situation, the key to a successful job interview is being prepared. Know the company, anticipate questions, bring contact information, and prepare a list of your own questions, advises AECWorkForce in the new book Guide to Finding the Right Job in the Design & Construction Industry.

Here, reprinted with permission, are more than 30 suggestions of "Questions You Should Ask During an Interview" from which to choose.

• What is it like to work here?
• What are some of the firm's problems? What is being done to address these?
• What is the state of the firm's financial health?
• What are some of the firm's strengths?
• May I see the firm's business plan?
• Who are your clients? May I talk with one?
• Who are your competitors?
• What kinds of computers and programs do you use? Will I have my own computer?
• Is this a new position or a replacement? What happened to the person who held it previously? Is there someone already employed by the firm who thinks they should have this position?
• What are this position's daily responsibilities?
• What is the career path from this position? What's the next step and what would I need to do to get there?
• Who directly supervises this position? What is his or her background? What's he or she like? May I talk to other people who report to this person?
• How many people are in the department/group/studio? May I meet some of them? Do they want this position filled?
• What would I be working on immediately? What would be my role?
• What are the firm's expectations of the person assuming this role?
• How would my performance be measured?
• How are pay reviews scheduled?
• How long have you been here? Why do you like working here?
• Does this firm encourage continuing formal education? Do you accommodate class/seminar schedules? Do you pay for any portion of tuition/attendance fees?
• How is firm ownership structured? What are the opportunities for ownership?
• Will I have a written employment agreement?
• Does your company require that I sign a non-compete agreement?
• How many women and minorities hold management positions in your firm?
• Where do the other employees live? How far away are these communities? Can you describe them? What is the commute like?
• How many other candidates are you considering for this position? What can you tell me about them?
• What is your schedule for making this hiring decision? When you began this process, what was your target date for getting someone on board? What is the next step?
• When will I hear back from you?

Copyright 2002 The American Institute of Architects. All rights reserved.