Fair Interview Questions You've waited in line, approached a recruiter, presented your CV and given a persuasive-yet-friendly pitch for why you'd be the perfect employee for Company X. Then the recruiter asks you that ominous question: "Do you have any questions for me?" You sweat. You stumble. You panic. You blew it. Companies want employees who are active and selective. And asking recruiters smart questions is a good way to make yourself memorable to them. Here's a quick list of potential questions to ask a recruiter at a career fair. Naturally, you're not going to ask all of the questions below -- you've only got a couple of minutes. But this list will get you on the right track and help you stave off the sweats and stumbles. Questions that focus on what you can offer an employer:  • What kind of person are you seeking for the position?  • What kind of educational background do you prefer?  • What employment experience is required?  • What additional skills, like languages or computer skills, are particularly valuable?  Questions that focus on what an employer can offer you:  • What do you like about working for your company?  • What kind of benefits does your company provide?  • What kind of advancement opportunities does your company provide?  • Where does your company hope to go in the next few years?  • Is there anything else I should know about your company?  • How can I contact you if I have a few questions later on?  As you talk, remember to:  • Be friendly and conversational.  • Stay positive and stay on topic.  • Speak clearly and speak confidently.  Stick to the questions above, and perhaps you'll soon hear the question you've been waiting for: "When can you start?" I have some good news," the recruiter says. "We would like to extend you an offer of employment as a research fellow. Your base compensation will be $35,000 annually with benefits and an option grant of 1,000 shares." You've got some decisions to make. Namely, you can: 1. Politely refuse the job  2. Gratefully accept the position  3. Request more time to think over the offer  Remember, it's not only the decision you make, but how you communicate it. An Offer You Can Refuse  If you decide to refuse the job, let the recruiter down gently. Take the time to thank him for all his hard work and apologize for the unforeseen circumstances that prevent you from accepting the "wonderful offer." Communicating your reason for refusal politely and with finesse leaves open the possibility of a counteroffer. If a company wants you badly enough, they may sweeten their offer, adding vacation days or additional money to the overall compensation package. (Of all the things you'll encounter in your job search, counteroffers are perhaps the most fickle. There's simply no way of knowing whether a company will extend one.) Replying to a job offer with a curt "I'm not interested," can destroy your chances of working for the company in the future. After all, Companies -- like people -- hold grudges.