Interview question

[capt. megadeth]

I cannot for the life of me think of what you ask an interviewer when they say "Do you have any questions for us?" I feel like if I ask them about the co. or future plans they will think I should know that stuff already. I don't want to not have any questions either. Any suggestions?

Also, any suggestions as to what the thank you letter should say besides for "Thank you for the opportunity"? Do you type it up or write it on a thank you card or what? I feel like a fool that I don't know this but I don't. Help!

 

[AZaviator]

I cannot for the life of me think of what you ask an interviewer when they say "Do you have any questions for us?"

A few that come to mind would be:

- What's the current upgrade time?
-What are some things you look for in a potential employee?
-What opportunities do you offer for your pilots in regards to being involved in your training department?; becoming a check airman?, etc, etc.
-Any plans for expansion into other cities?

Hope this helps!

 

[Riddle momma]

A friend of mine who used to do a lot of hiring just told me about these today:

1. What can I improve on to make sure I get this job next time around?

2. What did you like about me?

 

[New2Flying]

A friend of mine who used to do a lot of hiring just told me about these today:

1. What can I improve on to make sure I get this job next time around?

2. What did you like about me?

Why would you ask the first question? At this point you are not even being offered the job, so why ask a question that admits defeat? Further, most employers will not provide feedback as it could open them up to legal problems.

The second question seems to me to be a question that comes out of insecurity. Kind of like when a date goes bad!

I think AZaviators questions would be the best type of questions to ask. Also, you might read some company press releases from their website and take information from them and ask a question relating to it.

Example: SWA just recently announced they were starting service to PHL. If you know anything about SWA, their business plan has never been centered around going head to head with a major airline in one of their hub cities. You might ask a question such as "I have done thorough research on Southwest Airlines and the business model. I was surprised at the recent announcement that SWA is starting service in PHL. What was the reasoning behind that decision, since SWA does not have a history of going head to head with the major airline in their hub?"

The question accomplishes two things. One, it shows you have done research and two, you might get some information as to why they made that decision and if that will be the future direction of the company. The interviewer will most likely not be able to answer the question, as they are not "in the know" of decisions like that, but you will left a lasting impression.

 

[bobbysamd]

Interview strategies and etiquette

I cannot for the life of me think of what you ask an interviewer when they say "Do you have any questions for us?" I feel like if I ask them about the co. or future plans they will think I should know that stuff already. I don't want to not have any questions either. Any suggestions?

My $0.02 and sincere suggestion is to watch it!! I'm convinced I was rejected from a commuter job, at least in part, because I asked a question.

RJs were on the drawing boards in 1990 when I interviewed at Mesa. I had learned about them through professional pilot magazines. Grady Reed, who was a Vice-President at Mesa, conducted part of my interview. He asked if I had any questions. I asked if Mesa would be acquiring RJs. He said, "NO!," and his annoyance at my question was palpable. I felt that I asked a fair question. By asking the question I believed I was showing knowlege of future industry trends and exhibiting an interest in the company. I learned later that Mr. Reed was Mr. Beech 1900 at Mesa, and that Larry Risley loved 1900s because of their profitability at a very low load factor.

We all know, as Paul Harvey puts it, the rest of the story. Mesa has acquired CRJs and ERJs, and even hires MAPD grads (at 300 hours) into their right seats!!

I, personally, would decline the gambit, but don't go by my experience alone. We were counseled in our type rating class not to ask questions at interviews. If you feel you must ask something, ask a softball question. Stay away from anything that could be the least bit controversial, though, in reality, is completely reasonable.

Also, any suggestions as to what the thank you letter should say besides for "Thank you for the opportunity"? Do you type it up or write it on a thank you card or what?

Thank-you letters are another (limited) opportunity to sell yourself. Type (word process) your letter. Thank them very graciously for their time to interview you. State that after visiting with them you are very excited about the prospect of working for them. Reiterate, briefly, highlights of your interview and how and why your contributions would be valuable to their company. Sign it off by saying that you look forward to hearing from them.

Hope that helps. Good luck with your interview.

 

[saabcaptain]

Many people just use that time to express final thanks for the interview and restate just how much they want to work for the company.

 

[350DRIVER]

A very simple and sincere thank you and that you have no further questions since you have spent quite a bit of time recently researching the company in detail. It does not hurt to mention that you are grately looking forward to be part of such a winning team that is both rich in tradition as well as pride (or something along those lines). Be very careful on what you intend to ask, if you so choose to ask questions I would surely be on the cautious side and stay away from the controversial topics that may not be appropriate for the interview. It also depends a lot on who is conducting the interviews and the "mood" of how it is going, some are more relaxed and laid back versus others.

3 5 0

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

Another thought...

I've been to interviews where I asked questions based on information I gained while researching the company. Remember as you research the company for which you are about to interview, those questions that come to mind as you read. Think about each one of them and try to think of how many different ways it could sound dumb to ask them. If you can't think of how it would sound dumb, ask a friend or two how they sound. As others have previously stated, keep them benign. I've asked questions when I've had good ones, and another tack I've taken is to use that time in the interview to turn it around and say something to the effect of: "I've spent a lot of time looking into this company, several of my friends work here and enjoy it, they tell me I would fit in well here and from what I've seen and heard, I agree with them. No questions come to mind at the moment, but I would like to thank you for your time and for inviting me here today to have a chance for you to get to know me. I hope you feel I'd fit in well here." Something like that.

I had a moment similar to Bobby's recently regarding future aircraft. I really laid an egg by asking the question I did...it seemed like it anyway. The good letter came later, but I still wish I hadn't asked the one question I did...even though I thought it was pretty benign, the reaction I got from the panelists indicated that it was a sore subject. The thing about it is, I did learn a LOT by asking that question...more than I really thought I would. if you have researched a company to the point where no questions come to mind, then it's not a sin to not have a question. Just thank them for having you. Good luck.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

Oh yeah....

lots of folks send thank-you letters, but I truly believe they have zero effect on whether or not you get hired. I personally have never sent one, and never not been offered the job. It's hard for me to imagine the scenario either way, where a thank-you note or lack thereof would alter the outcome of an interview. Either way, don't leave that interview room without thanking them in person!

 

[bobbysamd]

Thank-you letter ineffectiveness

I truly believe they have zero effect on whether or not you get hired.

I agree. I'd bet they're never even seen by their recipients. But, better safe than sorry. I would still send thank-you letters, but wouldn't spend much time on them. You could create a general form with general boilerplate and customize it to specific situations.

 

[bobbysamd]

Interviewing them

1. Ask the interviewer what they like about the company

2. Ask them what they don't like

3. Ask them what they would change about the company

In essence, you become the interviewer and they are the interviewee. They want to see if YOU are a good fit for their operation. Why not turn it around and determine whether THEY are a good fit for YOU.

I love it, but airline interviews are very tricky and you have to walk a fine line with what you say and how you act. They want people who are submissive, yet assertive when necessary. Playing both roles takes some fancy footwork. You might come off as a smartass by asking these questions, albeit a very astute smartass.

It might work at non-airline interviews, and maybe for instructing jobs.

 

[capt. megadeth]

Thanks for all the input.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

I know this may not work in a pilot interview but I've used it for office jobs and has been recommended by several HR-type resources:

1. Ask the interviewer what they like about the company

2. Ask them what they don't like

3. Ask them what they would change about the company

In essence, you become the interviewer and they are the interviewee. They want to see if YOU are a good fit for their operation. Why not turn it around and determine whether THEY are a good fit for YOU.
SF

Don't even think about it. They hold your fate in their hands. Alienate them even slightly and you run the risk of blowing a perfectly good interview. In a day and age where jobs were a dime a dozen, that might work. Not today. I have a buddy who went to an American interview a few years ago after a successful United interview. They told him when he sat down that their mission was to steal him away from United. That tactic would have worked great there. It won't work today.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

Good luck