Unique Strengths

• Just as an employer will likely ask for your strengths for a position, you should ask about the hiring company's strengths in its industry, relative to competition. The website Unidev suggests, "What makes this company different from its competitors?" as a straightforward question approach. The response gives you insight into what is different about a career with that particular organization relative to others.
  
  

Objectives

• Following leaders without goals and vision becomes frustrating for most employees. Before taking on a job, it is helpful to know that the organization's leaders have a plan for the future. You can ask, "What are the company's objectives for the year?" You can stretch the time frame a bit with, "What are the company's goals for the next three to five years?"
  
  

Replacement Curiosity

• CareerBuilder.com Editor Kate Lorenz suggests the question, "What happened to the last person who held this job?" in her article "The Best Questions to Ask in the Interview." This is a great way to get a sense of your potential within that position. Did the last person move on to bigger or better things, or bail on the job after a few months of agony?
  
  

Department Opportunities

• If career growth is important to you, Lorenz also suggests the question, "What are the career paths in this department?" Some organizations may have growth opportunities, but those jobs may not apply to a linear career path in an area like finance or marketing. If a company has small staff and limited growth in these areas, you might take that into consideration.
  
  

Challenges

• Just as you are likely to hear a question about your weaknesses, you should inquire about the challenges of the employer or department you would enter. A response indicating the company or department faces no challenges is likely untrue. A candid response about challenges shows whether the company is pushing itself further or is mired in a downward spiral.