If you haven’t found that job yet, you’re probably faced with the question: Is it more important to find a good position at a company that’s wrong for you, or a position that isn’t right at the perfect company?

If it’s a company that appreciates your hard work, reflects your values and rewards success, take the latter option. In the long run, you’ll have more opportunities to develop your career.

For GenY, picking the right workplace is often more important than the position itself. (Click here to tweet this thought.) Picking the wrong company can breed dissatisfaction and restlessness, even if you like your job title. As a Millennial, you might take a more holistic look at your work environment and how it fits into your life.

But finding the right company is harder than you think and can require asking gutsy interview questions. Here are five questions you should be asking companies to help you figure out if they’re a good fit for you:

1. What do you think of my generation?

If your boss believes the bad press about GenY (they’re lazy, self-centered and narcissistic), there’s a good chance they won’t see you as an important asset. Find a workplace that sees GenY as an integral part of their growth strategy.

There are employers who realize GenY has had the valuable experience of navigating technological paradigm shifts — from the emergence of the Internet and social media to the transition to mobile platforms and the explosion of connected devices.

Your experiences have made you especially adept at thriving in the digital economy, and you deserve an employer who realizes that.

2. How do you approach work and community involvement?

Punching in and punching out isn’t enough for someone who’s community-minded and world-conscious. While making money keeps the doors open, it’s important for employers to realize they need to do more.

What’s your prospective employer doing to make the community and world a better place? Look for a company that doesn’t just pay lip service to giving back. How well is it engaged in charities and community organizations? What volunteer opportunities does it encourage?

3. Do you have a Millennial in your upper-management team?

If the only Millennials you see when you interview at a company are getting coffee or gophering for sandwiches, this is a bad sign. Look for a company with a young vibrant workforce and management that gives GenY big challenges and titles like VP, COO or CEO, not Assistant to the Assistant to the Assistant Regional Manager.

A company that believes in the potential of your generation will have your generation leading their teams and divisions.

4. Is there an office community, and how do you support it?

Your job will be a big part of your life. You want to excel and work hard to make yourself indispensable to the team. But you don’t want to be in this alone, and a vibrant work community is important to liking your job, feeling part of a driven group and being happy.

What is the company doing to make work a community? What events, potlucks, field trips, ugly sweater days and coaching or mentoring programs do they have?

5. Will I have the opportunity to advance and make money?

As much as we may not like to admit it, making money plays a big role in our decision about where to work. And even if you don’t care about it now, someday you may have a mortgage, medical bills or a family that’ll require money. Make sure there’s a path for you to advance and make enough money to have what you want.  

Many prospective employers want to hear this — they need to keep the revenue coming in to keep the doors open, and your desire to make money shows your drive to succeed.

It’s always hard to get everything you want from a job, but hopefully these pointers help you find the best job and fit for you. Remember to stay humble, but also realize that you’re a valuable commodity and you should be working for employers who recognize it.

Bobby Campbell is a successful entrepreneur with a deep understanding of how to leverage disruptive technology to drive business growth. He’s the founder of several leading digital media companies, including AdKarma and Division D. Connect with him on LinkedIn here.

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And what’s true of medical symptoms and romantic quandaries is also true of your job search. Typing “after an interview” into Google Trends reveals our escalating post-interview anxieties and lays bare all our worries about how and when to follow up.

Unfortunately, though Google is great at surfacing our concerns, it’s not always excellent at providing answers. Google search results often offer exceptional advice mixed with utter nonsense.

So, what questions are people secretly nervous about after their job interviews, and what are the best available answers to their concerns?

1. Should you mail a thank you note, email or call?

Even the greenest internship candidate hoping to schlep coffee to her first-ever office knows you’re supposed to thank your interviewer afterwards. But the popularity of search terms such as “interview thank you,” “thank you letter,” “thank you email” and “thank you note” suggests many of us are confused about what form this contact should take.

Be memorable with an actual paper note? Opt for convenience (and avoid the appearance of desperation) with an email?

Unless the interviewer showed up in a bowtie and monocle and called you sir or madam (or gave other obvious signs of being extremely old-fashioned), almost all experts agree that the speed of an email trumps the personal touch of a paper letter.

“I’ve gotten scores of emails asking the same question: Should I send a handwritten or electronic thank you note?” says Jessica Liebman, who handles all of Business Insider’s editorial hiring as Managing Editor. “While it varies depending on the industry, I’d strongly suggest going with the email.”

“For most employers, an email is an acceptable form of thanks because email is a part of everyday business life and arrives quickly,” concurs CareerBuilder Editor Anthony Balderrama.

2. What should your thank you note say?

Keep it short and sweet (and just a little salesy). Here’s what Liebman says you should mention:

• Thank you for meeting (or talking) with me.
• I really want this job.
• Quick plug about why you’re perfect for it.

And what should you leave out? Kevin W. Grossman, an executive at BraveNewTalent and author of the book Tech Job Hunt Handbook, recommends you leave out anything regarding salary or benefits.

“Seriously, that’s left to when you’re made an actual offer,” he says. “And unless it was already discussed during the interview process, refrain from editorializing too much about personal or other professional issues that could affect your job performance in any direction.”

3. What’s the best time frame to follow up?

Speed counts. No matter how memorable you were, the interviewer is no doubt incredibly busy. Her good impression of you starts eroding under the onslaught of day-to-day tasks as soon as you leave the room.

Some advice encourages job seekers to send thank you notes immediately after the interview. “Same day. From your laptop in the parking lot, if you really want to wow them,” suggests Forbes.

“You can send it the day of your interview to show just how eager you are,” agrees Liebman.

But after that speedy initial contact, it’s probably a good idea to sit on your hands. Again, this depends on the specific situation. If a hiring manager gave you his card and specifically said “call if you have questions,” he may be testing your gumption to pick up the phone — but generally, calls are annoying.

“The phone call is one of the easiest ways to sabotage your image,” says Balderrama. “Phone calls are a nuisance in a way that letters and emails aren’t.”

Still, to phone or not to phone is one of the toughest decisions. The best bet for next time may to be to shortcut the conflict by getting specific follow-up steps outlined at the interview. (Click here to Tweet this thought.)

“There’s no cut-and-dried script for inquiring about next steps,” says Glassdoor career expert Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter. “But the point is, if the interviewer doesn’t tie up loose ends neatly at the wrap of the interview, take the reins to inquire respectfully about next steps. With this information in hand, it will help you gauge how to handle your follow-up communications.”

Jessica Stillman is a freelance writer based in London. She writes a daily column for Inc.com, writes for Women 2.0 and has blogged for CBS MoneyWatch and GigaOM, among others.

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Moreover, when describing ourselves, we should approach our answers in an honest, candid manner. Even though some answers are laid out below, always ensure that you phrase these in our own words; authenticity is important.

To better give you some guidance, here are 15 ways to describe yourself for your next interview:

“I would say I’m…”

1. “Someone who has high expectations for my results. I am confident in my ability to produce, and while I prepare for the worst, I do the work necessary to tilt the odds so that the best will happen.”

2. “Someone who wants to be judged by individual performance and rewarded for my efforts based on my ability to execute.”

3. “Someone who wants to work for a successful company with strong leadership and vision, one that recognizes and rewards performers.”

4. “Someone who is consistently growing and takes the time to continue learning even though it’s not a direct requirement of the job. I find that many times, my professional growth is based on what I study, both directly and indirectly related to work.”

5. “Someone who is modest, hard-working and consistently sets firm goals for myself. Then, once I’ve defined my benchmarks, I take the necessary steps to achieve those milestones.”

6. “Someone who aims to keep lines of communication open and is concerned with clients’ needs—consistently asking questions to uncover the what the client truly wants and then making sure I’m able to meet those requirements.”

7. “Someone who thinks positively and can execute difficult tasks. I’m not an individual who needs to be micromanaged. Rather, when given a specific task, I can figure out the best ways to solve the problem in an autonomous manner.”

8. “Someone who is able to control a situation rather than allow a situation to control me.”

9. “Someone who has an unwavering resolve. I am determined to do well in my job and have a successful career, as well as to make the company I work for more competitive.”

10. “Someone with a need to produce results. I am the type of person who meets challenges head-on rather than sweeping them under the rug and hoping they go away. While I’m an optimistic person, I am also realistic about the current situation and how satisfactory or unsatisfactory it is.”

11. “Someone who has been able to not only meet my employers’ expectations, but has consistently exceeded those markers.”

12. “Someone who takes responsibility for their actions when things go wrong. I don’t look for outside forces to blame; rather, I’m someone who looks at what I can improve upon the next time around. Pointing fingers solves nothing.”

13. “Someone who demonstrates an unwavering resolve to do whatever must be done to produce the best long-term results, no matter how difficult.”

14. “Someone who is committed to building something larger and puts aside personal gain for the well-being of the group.”

15. “Someone who is mature, candid and believes in integrity. Every day I work to improve myself and my skills—that’s part of becoming better at what I do.”

How would you describe yourself in an interview?

Ken Sundheim is the CEO of KAS Placement Recruitment, an executive search firm specializing in sales and marketing staffing throughout the U.S.

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Except that while salary ranges, benefits and schedule flexibility are important details you deserve answers to, hiring managers don’t appreciate questions like these until at least your second interview (or maybe even after they’ve made you an offer).

During your first interview, the “impress me dance” is still in full swing. When a potential employer asks if you have any questions, they don’t want inquiries about parking validation; they want to see if you’re prepared, educated and inquisitive.  

Here are six questions to ask at the end of your interview that will help you master the twisted tango of getting hired:

1. If I were to start tomorrow, what would be the top priority on my to-do list?

The answer to this question will give you more insight into the current state of the position, while the question shows that you’re invested and interested in learning how you can start things off with a bang. The added bonus lies in the Jedi mind trick: now you’ve already got your interviewer picturing you as the position holder.

2. What would you say are the top two personality traits someone needs to do this job well?

The answer to this will be very telling. “Creative” and “intuitive” can be translated to mean you will be on your own, while “patient” and “collaborative” could mean the opposite. Not only will this question allow you to feel out whether you’re going to be a good fit; it will also get your interviewer to look past the paper resume and see you as an individual.

3. What improvements or changes do you hope the new candidate will bring to this position?

This answer can shed light on what might have made the last person lose (or leave) the job, and it also tips you off on the path to success. Asking this shows an employer you are eager to be the best candidate to ever fill this position.

4. I know this company prides itself on X and Y, so what would you say is the most important aspect of your culture?

This type of question is sure to impress, as it shows that you’ve done your research on the company and gives you a chance to gain insight into what values are held to the highest ideal.

5. Do you like working here?

This question might take interviewers back a bit, but their answer will be telling. A good sign is a confident smile and an enthusiastic “yes” paired with an explanation as to why. If they shift in their seat, look away, cough and start with “Well…”, consider it a red flag.

Regardless of their answer, employers appreciate getting a chance to reflect on their own opinions, and this turns the interview process into more of a conversation.

6. Is there anything that stands out to you that makes you think I might not be the right fit for this job?

Yes, asking this question can be scary, but it can also be beneficial. Not only does it give you a chance to redeem any hesitations the employer might have about you; it also demonstrates that you can take constructive criticism and are eager to improve—valuable qualities in any candidate.

What other questions would you ask to wow an interviewer?

Kelly Gregorio writes about workplace trends and motivation while working at Advantage Capital Funds, a small business loan provider. You can read her daily blog at http://www.advantagecapitalfunds.com/blog.

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The interview is fraught with stress; you have to be on your best behavior, you only have one chance to get it right and you know you’re putting yourself up to being judged by complete strangers.

But there’s one silver lining: most interviews, no matter where you are, follow a rough standard in terms of what’s asked and what’s expected from your answers. This means that you can use our study guide to prepare to answer these questions to the best of your ability—with less stress and more confidence. And hopefully you’ll land that job!

The Introduction

When you walk in, shake the hand of the person in charge of the fate of your employment. Then sit down and get ready for the first batch of questions. The introductory phase is broken down like so:

Tell me a little about yourself. Your chance to talk a little about your education, experience and what you enjoy doing that’s relevant to the job.

Why are you looking for a new job, and why did you leave your last job? Tell your interviewer why you’re looking for a new job—and keep it positive. Even if you were fired from your last job, put a positive spin on it.

What do you know about this company, and why do you want to work here? You’d better do your research on the company before you go for the interview! Make sure you can discuss highlights of the company, things you like about it and then tie it to why you want to work there. For example, if you work in medicine and the hospital has made great strides in improving technology and practices in your field, mention that and then tie it to how you want to be a part of those efforts.

What experience do you have? Talk about the relevant experience you’ve had in other jobs, volunteer work and life in general—and how it could help you in this job.

What would previous coworkers say about you? A trick question! Don’t fully disclose everything, but stay positive and cite carefully chosen examples of what others have said about you.

Have you done anything to increase your breadth of knowledge? Education, hobbies, sports…anything you do outside of work that in some way could be relevant to your being a good employee should be mentioned here.

Where else have you applied? Don’t go wild, but mention a few other places you have had interviews. The interviewer wants to know you are seriously looking for work and are keeping your options open.

About You

The next portion of the interview will get into the meat of you: how you would fit in, what kind of worker you are and why you are worth hiring. This part is important because it helps the interviewer understand why you’d be a good fit for the company—so do your best to put a positive spin on everything.

How do you work under pressure? You should always answer this in the positive. You can say you work well under pressure, you thrive under pressure, you LOVE it! Don’t say you fall apart, even if that’s the truth. Learn to love pressure, just in case.

What is your motivation to do a good job? No, it’s not money. You want recognition. You want to do better, you want to help others, you want to lead. (And you want money, but shhhh, don’t say that!)

What is your greatest strength? Again, be positive and talk about a strength that is work-related. Are you highly organized? Are you a hard driver? Do you inspire others?

What is your biggest weakness? A bit of a nasty trick question. You don’t want to be 100 percent honest here or you could kick your own butt to the curb, but if you try to say “nothing,” you look like an arrogant idiot. Give a small, work-related flaw that you’re trying to improve, such as learning to focus on the big picture or working to update your tech experience. In short, show a weakness, but also how you are compensating for it.

What kind of salary do you expect to make? Another nasty one! Make sure to do your research into what kind of money you should be making at a job like this with your experience. Go for that range or even pick a higher number and see what can be haggled out. It’s a delicate balance between what you want and what the employer is willing to pay. This is an art in itself, so make sure you’re prepared.

Can you work as part of a team? Yes, you can. You’ll learn to work in a team. Always say yes.

Tell me about a suggestion you have made that was implemented. This question is asked so the interviewer can see how you actually made a difference in your job. Discuss an example in which you actually made a difference in a previous job and how it improved the workplace.

Has anything ever irritated you about your coworkers? Sure, but you don’t talk about it. Say that you’ve always gotten along just fine in spite of differences.

Is there anyone you simply could not work with? No, you can work with anyone. Right?

Have you had any issues with previous bosses? No. You’ve never had any issues. EVER.

Do you prefer money or job satisfaction? This is a nasty question because we all need and like to have money, but your employer wants you to consider the job itself to be most important. Job satisfaction should win out here (and really, for many people, it does, because enjoying the job makes life a lot easier).

Would you rather be liked or feared? What a silly question! But it’ll come up in one form or another. The answer is “neither”; what you want is to be respected. Being respected means you motivate the team, you can hit deadlines and you get everyone working together. That’s what a company wants.

Would you put the interests of your company ahead of your own? Oh, so mean! You don’t want to say “yes” because it makes you look like a jerk, but the company won’t want you to say “no” because it means you might just ditch them. Answer in the affirmative, but make sure it’s clear that’s because you want to help the business along, not because you’re a doormat.

Conclusion

The last couple of questions will tie things off and bring the interview to an end. This is your chance to make a strong lasting impression.

Why should I hire you? It’s time to sum yourself up. Tell your interviewer the talents you have that match the job description and why you’ll be a good fit. Don’t talk about anyone else; just focus on yourself.

Do you have any questions to ask me? You probably should. Although you should have already done some research into the actual company, you may want to ask about things like benefits, how soon you would start, what you’ll be working on and how what you’ll do affects the company. Ask questions because a blank stare never works.

No matter where you interview, most interviewers will follow this format. So know the answers to these questions, and you’ll be well on your way to a new job!

Lena Paul is a medical school graduate who is an enthusiastic blogger and holds an editorial position at Prepgenie, a test prep provider that offers exam preparation courses for UKCAT, GAMSAT, PCAT, UMAT, LNAT and HPAT.

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Yet it’s important to take the time to think carefully about whether the job is really the right fit for you in terms of professional and financial goals. Whether you’re unemployed or looking to switch jobs, making a move without asking the right questions could be a big problem.

Although you probably asked some questions during the interview process, they were most likely about the actual position—duties, managers, staff and responsibilities. It’s just as important to know the right questions to ask after you’ve been given an offer.

Here are five questions to ask before signing on the dotted line of your acceptance letter:

1. Can I review the benefits package?

Benefits include everything from retirement and health insurance to stock options and vacation time. Every company has a unique package, so it’s important to prioritize what matters most to you in terms of the benefits offered.

Not all benefits start on your first day, so consider when they’ll start (especially health insurance coverage) when planning your transition. For example, if it’s a month before your health insurance policy starts, you may have to think about budgeting for COBRA coverage until it does.

2. Does the company have a 401(k) plan?

A 401(k) plan is simply one of the best financial investments you can make for your future. It allows you to put tax-deferred funds (money that is deducted from your paycheck before taxes) into a savings account and is only taxed when withdrawn for retirement.

Although it’s a popular retirement option, this may not be the plan your company offers. Understanding different plan options, and what kind of retirement you will be able to have as a result, is necessary for long-term planning.  

You should also ask what percentage of your contribution, if any, is matched by the company, as that will also help you figure out how much you should be putting toward it from each paycheck.

3. Does the company have a tuition reimbursement program?

Tuition reimbursement benefits become especially important if you’re planning to continue your education. Keep in mind that the amount of reimbursement may be limited or there may be eligibility requirements (i.e., you have to work there for a certain amount of time, pursue a degree within a program related to your field or maintain a certain GPA).

Knowing whether you’ll qualify for tuition reimbursement will allow you to plan financially for your future degree.

4. Am I eligible for bonuses? If so, is this offer base compensation only, or does it include bonuses?

Not all companies offer bonuses, and not all employees are bonus-eligible. Make sure you understand what your total compensation package entails. For example, if you receive a base offer, ask if you are eligible for bonuses and what is required to be considered.

Bonuses can be contingent upon a number of factors, such as employee or company performance, so be sure to know your bonus type and how you might be able to control it.

5. Am I eligible for company work devices (cell phone, laptop, etc.)? If not, can I get reimbursed for them?

Getting reimbursed for your cell phone bill could save you up to $100 a month or $1,200 annually—and that’s not small change! Before joining a company, ask whether you’d be eligible for company devices or reimbursement for either devices or a data/cell phone plan—and which portion of the bill you can expect the company to pay.

Finding a position in the right field, with the right company and for the right salary can be a tough process for anyone to navigate, so when that job offer comes in, accepting right away might seem like a no-brainer. But by asking a few key questions about what you’re entitled to, you’ll be able to say yes with a clear head and nothing but excitement for the next chapter of your career.

Doug Arms is Senior Vice President at Accounting Principals, a staffing company for accounting and finance jobs. He leads the Southeast division of the Ajilon/Accounting Principals and Parker & Lynch Brands and is also responsible for the national strategies of Training and Recruitment.

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Headed to a job interview and worried about bombing?

First, remember that someone has always done worse.

Second, and by far more important, remember this: HR pros often ask questions knowing you might screw them up.

In fact, trying to make you screw up is the whole point: I’ll just throw this little hand grenade and see if she can defuse it before it explodes.

How to train for combat? Rather than preparing generic answers to the same old questions everyone can expect (“What are your weaknesses?” “Why did you leave your last position?”), the savvy interviewee—that’d be you!—should have both ears open for questions that are designed to throw them off their game.

Here are a few to watch for, and how to handle them shrewdly:

1. The most innocent-sounding doozy? “Tell me about yourself…”

As many as 80% of all interviews begin with this breezy landmine. It often leads to the most common interviewing faux pas: revealing too much.

So what’s universally accepted as too much?

Sometimes it’s a seemingly inconsequential bit of information that conflicts with your resume.

Or it’s a lack of preparedness.

Or a simple inability to express yourself clearly.

When the interviewer says “tell me about yourself,” what he or she is really doing is checking to see if you’re articulate and professional. The way you answer is as important as the things you say.

Tips:

• Keep your game face on; don’t get too personal.
• Give them the facts, not your life story.
• Do your homework, know what they are looking for and design your answer accordingly.
• Ask questions and generate conversation. It’s a two-way street.

2. “Tell me about an instance where you failed or did something you are ashamed of.”

Whatever you do, don’t get defensive. And avoid confessing something you regret—feeling ashamed is a shade different than talking about an error in a calm, unemotional way.

While it’s important you be prepared for this question, it’s equally important to appear perplexed by it. A touch of theater, perhaps—but true, unfortunately. You want to send the signal that thinking of a mistake requires a bit of rummaging through mental files otherwise stuffed with successes.

Start by touting your ability to work peacefully and effectively with coworkers or clients, then pause, have a think and tell the interviewer about your philosophy of dealing with regrettable situations in a timely manner so you don’t have to harp on them for years to come.

Tips:

• Keep your emotions firmly in hand.
• Resist clichéd or generalized answers such as “I’m a workaholic” or “I’m too hard on myself.”
• Be honest and address the interviewer as a colleague, not a therapist or buddy.

3. The last tricky question is a non-question. It sounds a lot like this: Silence. Cough. Ahem.

Maybe it’s the dreaded silent treatment, or maybe it’s just a deliberately awkward pause. Either way, that quiet lull in conversation has ruffled many feathers, and it’s designed to reveal how you react under stress.

Not all interviewers will play quiet to see if the applicant will launch into nervous, oversharing chatter—but that’s how most people respond.

Luckily, you know better than to ramble.  You’re cool and calm. You’re relaxed and relish the chance to catch your breath. Perhaps you even grab the opportunity to ask a question of your own.

Tips:

• Look the interviewer in the eye. Don’t fidget.
• Resist the urge to fill the space unless you have something important to say.
• Ask your own questions.
• Be cool as a cucumber. Because you are.

Tough questions are a great opportunity to flex your muscle and show the employer you’re resilient, solid and made to last. Be professional, be genuine and be ready.

Amy Knapp is a business blogger for InsideTrak. Educated in Law and the Fine Arts, her work champions the marriage of the creative and the corporate.

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