Are there stupid questions?

We are now in the full swing of fall recruiting. For those involved in interviewing, there may be nothing more daunting than when the interviewer turns to you and says, "Do you have any questions?" Here are a few tips to help you prepare for that moment.

• ALWAYS HAVE QUESTIONS READY
• Ask 3-5 well thought out and insightful questions
• Areas such as their pro bono committment, associate training and mentoring, requirements for making partner, what is a typical day for the interviewer, and how much client contact will I have are always appropriate.

Are there questions you shouldn't ask? The answer is a resounding yes!! The big one - anything about compensation and the firm's long-term financial picture. While you may be especially concerned right now about hitching yourself to their future, you won't find the answers in an interview and you won't score any points with the interviewers. Not only is the interviewer probably not privy to that information, they wouldn't share it with you if they were and potentially scare you off. If you have questions, do your research and ask any personal contacts you may have. Keep "candid" questions out of the interiew.