Questions to ask for decision making

Step 1 is to realize that you have a decision. Step 2 calls for asking questions.

For example, if you are going to accept a job, you would ask these questions. You probably wouldn’t ask the hiring manager but you would need to find out:

Is this a newly created job?

If not, where is the previous incumbent? How many people held this job for how long? (If ten people held the job in two years, a red flag should be waving.)

What is the previous job holder doing now? (Ideally, they’re promoted within the same company)

Why are they hiring from outside instead of promoting from within?

Will my efforts contribute to the bottom line (ensuring job security)?

You probably won’t find these questions in job hunting manuals. They’re guerilla questions and you need answers. The idea is to look for clues that give answers to your real questions.

When I shopped for a mortgage, i should have asked (apart from rates):

Who will be my represenattive and advocate?

How many years of experience does this loan officer have?

How many loans closed on my type of property from this office? Did they close on time?

Can I talk to a reference who closed on a loan of this type? For example, if you are buying a condo, talk to another condo buyer.

What real estate agents are sending you mortgages? Can I call them? (And when you call: “How many times have you used this company?”)

Here’s a tip: Find someone who went through a similar experience and ask “What questions do you wish you had asked earlier?”