A recent survey by recruiting company, Robert Walters, found that Singaporean job applicants who successfully secure a job can expect to see a 15 to 20 per cent pay increment. Recruiting group Hays reported in its salary guide that 56 per cent of employees can expect a raise of between 3 and 6 per cent for 2014. After reading that, chances are high that you’re looking for another job right now, if not soon.

There are so many reasons you might want to jump ship. Maybe you hate your job, or your boss, or your colleagues, or the salary. The idea of having a fresh start appeals to you (once your bonus comes in, of course).

Don’t just expect to go into an interview and be asked all the questions. Make sure you do your due diligence and scour the best for yourself.

By asking the right questions in an interview, you gain a good idea of what exactly you are getting yourself into. It’s not called a job hunt for nothing!

But what are the right questions?

1. What are my prospects?

This question is especially important for people who seek career advancement and/or long term service in the same company. It is also often a question left out and left assumed. Not asking this question is dangerous, because if you find out your new job requires you to only write reports for the next 6 years, you know you need to look for another job soon.

2. What are the immediate tasks at hand that need attention if I should be hired?

This shows your interviewer you are ready to go and have their interests at hand.

3. Why are you hiring for this position?

This is your opportunity to suss out why the previous person, if any, left. This question also has the potential to give you insights into the company culture, or the career progression path the company has laid out for employees.

4. How will you measure my success after 1 year?

One of the best questions to understand and manage expectations of both parties, and also helps to broach the topic on salary and bonus without having to ask directly.

5. What have past employees done to succeed in this role? How can I improve on what they have done so far?

You know you want to show that the interviewer is making the right decision by bringing you on board. Addressing this topic shows hunger and a desire for success, bringing you that much closer to getting hired.

Like any meeting, you should go into an interview armed with a pen and notebook, ready to record down important points the interviewer makes. Nothing shows job readiness like bringing your actions to the table on Day 1.

Top photo from Grad Hacked.

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