Turning the tables at a job interview

By Mary Ellen Slayter The Washington Post

People often forget that a job interview is not only an employer’s chance to learn about them but also their chance to quiz potential employers. And asking the right questions can be the difference between starting the perfect job – or a perfect nightmare. So, what should you ask? Here are some useful questions to ask at your next interview:

Who are you replacing? Where is the last person who held this job? Obviously this won’t apply if it’s a new position. Otherwise, the answer can be very revealing about the job’s career potential. Did the last person get promoted? Move to a competitor? A related question: How many people have held this job in the past five years?

Is there any flexibility? How flexible are the work hours? If there’s an official policy that supports telecommuting and alternate work hours, do workers take advantage of it?

Why do I want to work here? What do you enjoy most about working here? Part of the interviewer’s job is to enthusiastically sell you on the employer, so if the interviewer has any hesitation in answering his question, probe more deeply before acceptingan offer.