It is as inevitable as the interviewer asking you what you consider your weaknesses to be, that at some point towards the end of your interview, you will be asked if YOU have any questions. "Uh no, I think you've just about covered it all" is not the correct answer. Making sure you have a few questions in mind to ask is as important as ensuring you have researched the company before arriving at the interview. It is important to remember that the whole purpose of the interview process is to find a fit between company and potential employee. Seeking as much information as possible is imperative to finding the ultimate match!

A few sample questions to ask your interviewer

Why is this position vacant?
Knowing the answer to this question can help you get a better picture of the type of workplace you are putting yourself forward to become part of. People leave their jobs for all sorts of reasons: travel, better pay, uneasy work environment, boss from hell, simply feeling the need for change. You've obviously left your last job for some reason or another, to be sitting in the hot seat at this interview. If you can decipher which reason the last person left the position you are going for, it may help you decide if this job is, in fact, for you or not.

You must keep in mind that your interviewer is there to fill a vacancy, and they would not want to scare off any potential candidate with the horror story leading to the departure of their last employee. This means you need to listen to their answer quite carefully and read between the lines. Another question to follow up with could be, How long did the last employee hold this position? If they were there rather briefly, this could be a reflection on their own inability to stay put, or it could be indicative of the environment. The other information you've learnt throughout the interview should help you figure out which of the alternatives fits best.

What sort of boss do you see yourself as?
This question is irrelevant if your interview is with HR and the boss is not sitting in on the interview. In which case you could alter the question slightly to, What kind of boss do you consider X to be? Think of this as interviewee revenge. Your turn to put them on the spot and give you a bit of an insight into their personality, even if their description of their own abilities turns out not to be entirely accurate. Remember that no person wants to willingly set out their flaws and so the focus of their answer will be on the positive ways in which they lead their department/company, rather than their downfalls.

The answers to these questions should arm you with some of the knowledge you need to make a more informed decision in regards to acceptance of this job, should the interview result in you being offered the role. On the other hand, it can also clarify if a position is not ideal for you. As they say, knowledge is power, and getting the lowdown on the quirks of a company before the first day can save months of workplace drama.