A CEO shares the most impressive question a job candidate can ask

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Dave Kerpen

Dave Kerpen / Twitter

Dave Kerpen, CEO of Likeable Local.

There will come a time in every job interview where the hiring manager turns the tables and asks, "Now do you have any questions for me?"

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This is your opportunity to determine whether the job is a good fit, and your last chance to impress the hiring manager - so it's imperative that you ask the right questions.

Last year, Dave Kerpen, CEO of Likeable Local and author of "Likeable Social Media," asked a few of his friends at the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC), an invite-only organization comprised of the world's most promising young entrepreneurs, to share the one most impressive interview question applicants have asked (or that they wish applicants would ask).

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He published their responses in a LinkedIn post - which included questions like, "What keeps you up at night?" and "How did you get your start?" - along with his own pick.

Kerpen says the single most impressive question a candidate can ask is: How will the work I'll be doing contribute to the organization's mission?

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"This question tells me so much," Kerpen explained to Business Insider. "First, it says that the applicant is a big thinker. Second, it tells me that the applicant isn't just looking for a job - she's looking for something to believe in. I want these people working for us."

Finally, he said, it tells him that the person cares about his company's vision, mission, and plan - and wants to contribute from the start. "This question can lead to a great discussion and a quick determination about whether there's a mutual fit," Kerpen said.

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