Must-ask job interview questions

8. "IS FULL TIME THE ONLY OPTION, OR WOULD YOU CONSIDER A CONTRACT OR CONSULTING ARRANGEMENT?" "Most of the 50-plus crowd I have worked with want to work less and make

more," says career consultant Maggie Mistal. "By taking on projects or aspects of projects that play to their core genius, people can increase their hourly rate and avoid taking on

job responsibilities they don't really want." 9. "WHAT'S THE SALARY RANGE FOR THIS POSITION?" This is the proverbial elephant in the room. You want to know what the

job really pays and find out about benefits such as health insurance, child care, vacation and a 401(k) or other retirement plan. It seems impolite to bring this up in the initial

interview, but if you have the chutzpah, this question can work to your advantage. You probably don't need to go for the whole ball of wax, but getting a sense of the pay is key for

most of us. Preface it by saying that the reason you're intrigued by the job, of course, does not revolve around money, but you would be interested in knowing what the range might be.

Chances are, there will be a pause, but you will probably get a ballpark answer. And then it's up to you to acknowledge it, while holding on to your poker face. This is not a time to

make any verbal or nonverbal sign that it's copacetic. You want to save negotiating for when a formal offer is on the table. On the flip side, if the interviewer refuses to answer, that

says something about the company's guarded style that might not sit well with you in the long run. In truth, this kind of information should not be a mystery at this stage of your

career. Your best move, however, is simply to reply smoothly, without missing a beat, that you'll look forward to learning more details when the interviewer is free to share them in

your next discussion. Go for a firm handshake, look your interviewer straight in the eyes with a warm smile, and offer genuine thanks for his or her time. Finally, remember to write a

thank-you note to everyone you interviewed with that day. I personally like a handwritten one, but an email works if you shoot it off within 24 hours. In many cases, the immediacy is

welcomed and effective. It's not wrong to do both, particularly if there's additional material you'd like to share with the interviewer, or if there were any questions you

stumbled on or didn't answer well before you left. Use your correspondence to wrap up and leave a positive impression. _KERRY HANNON, AARP's jobs expert, is an award-winning author

and nationally recognized authority on career transitions and retirement. Her latest book is_ Getting the Job You Want After 50 for Dummies._ She has also written _Love Your Job: The New

Rules for Career Happiness _and_ Great Jobs for Everyone 50+: Finding Work That Keeps You Happy and Healthy…and Pays the Bills._ Hannon has spent more than 25 years covering all aspects of

personal finance for national media outlets. Find more from Kerry at _Kerryhannon.com.