Dear J.T. & Dale: I was working for a title company and was laid off. It was a blessing, because the office I was working in was a toxic environment – two manic-depressive women with no life who are bitter and angry. Now that I am out there applying for jobs, I am getting discouraged because I am not getting any offers, just interviews. Are there any suggestions you can give me in regard to helping with the interview process? – Stephanie Dale: First, let me say something to all the people who read Stephanie’s description of a toxic workplace and nodded sorrowfully in recognition. If you hate your job, it will hate you back; you will end up getting fired or laid off. Don’t wait. Start your search today. Call in sick if you need to, but start today.

J.T.: As for you, Stephanie, have you gone back to the hiring managers and asked for feedback? Most won’t take the time, but if you can get even one of them to spend a few minutes on the phone, it could make all the difference. Keep it short and positive and simply ask, “Can you tell me where my skills and experience fell short?” and “Is there any feedback you could share on how I might improve my skills?”

Dale: It’s worth a shot, but the time for asking questions is during the interview. Here’s my killer question: “What kind of people do best here?” That question sets you apart as someone who wants to be among the star employees, while giving you clues as to what to focus on in the conversation.

J.T.: But the real issue, Stephanie, probably comes down to what not to focus on. No matter how much you want to talk about the ladies at your last job and their atmosphere-ruining antics, bringing them into the conversation hurts you terribly. Instead, show your interest in the new job and company. Every manager looks for a person who is interested in his or her industry and how the firm fits into it. So, instead of saying you are interested, demonstrate it with questions like, “How did you come to join this company?” and “What do you believe are the company’s best attributes?”

Dale: Then, near the end of the interview, ask how your skills and background fit the job, and how you stack up against other candidates. This gives you a chance to counter any perceived shortcomings immediately, as well as in your follow-up.

J.T.: Be sure to send a follow-up e-mail. Ask for e-mail addresses during the interview, or get them from the receptionist or human-resources manager. In your message, be sure to highlight something you spoke about in each interview to show that you were listening and cared about your conversation. It’s these little touches that can separate you from your competition.