1. Why are you looking for a new job?
Why are you looking for a new job? I can help you make it sound "good".
2. Do you have any questions for us?
I'd need to know what job you applied for... But the premise of this question is to see if you are in fact interested, your level of interest, and it proves that you are "internalizing" the idea of making the move if offered.
As a note, I interviewed for a job in Chicago recently (got a recruiting call, entered the process). When speaking with the recruiter I asked a few basic questions. Once I interviewed with the VP I asked a MILLION questions. Because, I wanted to make sure it was a worthwhile move for me.... It was a leadership position (Director of Opps for a big staffing firm)
Here are just a few that I can remember:
What is the projected revenue for the group in 2014?
What was the revenue last year? Year before?
How did profit percentage play out in all three years?
^^^ I asked that group of questions just to see if the "unit" was growing or sinking. And then, based on the profitability percentages each year (which were decreasing I asked "why"?
Another example of a question (or group of questions)
Tell me about the culture and personality types within the group?
Staff break down? (# recruiters, sourcers, account managers, managers, etc)
What is the "attitude" of the group? Is it what you want? What changes need to be made? (I ask this because sales people tend to have egos, and big egos can ruin a group).
What is the single biggest struggle you wish you could change within the group or about the group's dynamic?
^^^ This string of questions was to help me understand "As a 31 year-old, can I go in there as head of a department and be respected, known as a leader, and get off on the right foot"
Again, I asked all of these because I WANTED TO MAKE SURE IT WAS WORTH IT FOR ME.
Brian, I can cite 3-4 more examples. maybe we should take this offline and I can learn more about how I can help you.