Sometime during the conversation, you may find a lull occurring. This may be an excellent time to ask some of the questions that are on your mind. At some point, as the interview draws to a close, the interviewer will ask if you have any questions. Having well-thought-out questions will further impress the interviewer.

Your questions should show a sincere interest in this particular employer, and awareness of the employer's needs, and how you can fulfill those needs. What is a good question? In general, good questions are those which are concrete but not so basic that they lead the interviewer to assume you have not researched the employer. Ask the most important questions first. Recognize that the employer may be on a tight time schedule. The lesser questions can be dealt with in the follow-up interview.

An inappropriate question is one that deals with salary and fringe benefits. Remember, this is a screening interview. Both you and the interviewer are trying to determine if there is any interest. If there is, and a follow-up interview does take place, there will be ample time to discuss salary and fringe benefits.

The following are examples of questions students have asked:

1. What is the employer's management philosophy?

2. What is the nature of the training program and supervision given in the early years of employment?

3. Has your organization hired graduates from this school in the past? If so, what's the success record?

4. What will be expected of me as a new employee? 

5. Are there any negative aspects of the job?

6. How much backing does the employer give to teachers in regard to classroom discipline? To supervisors or personnel?

7. Is there a time set aside for annual reviews? How often?