

There finally comes a day when all the studying, testing, and waiting comes to an end. Of course, the day after that is when the serious job hunting begins. In anticipation of a job interview, it is common to think through questions (and answers to those questions) that an interviewer may ask. While this is a good practice, it isn’t the whole process.

A job interview is a conversation between two people in the hopes that a mutually beneficial arrangement be made. As such, you – the job seeker – have the right to ask some questions as well… the purpose of which is to 1.) Help determine if a given job is a good fit for you, and 2.) Show the interviewer that you’re thinking about your future and theirbusiness. Here are five important questions you should ask in just about any interview:

1. What hours of work does the job require?

Medical coders by and large are very fortunate, in that their position is an administrative one and the work week is ordinarily no more than forty hours. Nevertheless, an open position may require shift work, including working on weekends. As the applicant, it’s important to keep your outside obligations (e.g. school, day care, etc.) in mind when applying for a job.

2. What is the nature of most of their billing?

Much of this can be discovered simply by reviewing the companies website, and any additional information you can find online; however, it’s a good idea to get the answer directly from an employee. For example, you’d want to know what types of patients they typically see – inpatient or outpatient?

3. What is the routine volume of activity?

It’s safe to assume that there are no seasonal cycles, but there should be some idea of the flow of activity that the employer experiences on a routine basis. The answer to this question may also shed light onto how organized and efficient the business is, as well as how they are doing financially.

4. What is the work area like?

This should go without saying, but you’re going to be spending a large chunk of your life in the work setting. It’s important to make sure you’ll be working in a comfortable atmosphere – both in terms of the facility and the people occupying it. If it’s possible to have a tour of the space, ask to have one.

5. What are the future plans for the facility or office?

Look for a clear description of the company’s 12-month and perhaps even 3 – 5 year plan. This is a good way to determine what opportunities could be available in the months and years to come. It also shows the interviewer that you’re thinking about the future, and plan on sticking around for a while.

Additional Interview Tips

It is not a good idea to ask about salary information in the first interview. The interviewer may not have an idea of what the offer is going to be and at best can only give a range. Figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics give a pretty good idea of what the range will be. It’s worth noting that a job interview is not an interrogation and neither side should act as such. Asking questions in a polite and genial manner will score definite points with any employment recruiter or future manager. Courtesy is one of the best tactics to employ when applying for a job.

Asking questions at a job interview helps you evaluate whether or not a position is a good fit, and will help you better determine if the opening is one to be pursued or ignored. The above questions should get you started, but be sure to research the company beforehand as well.