Just as it's easier to talk about yourself when you've prepared in advance, it's easier to ask questions about their situation if you've given it some forethought. Any questions you ask on the initial interview should pertain directly to the job you will be expected to perform. DO NOT ask questions about vacations, money, benefits and coffee breaks; there will be plenty of time to cover peripheral issues later. Also, DO NOT ask questions designed solely to show how knowledgeable or well-prepared you are, as these are easily recognizable and may offend the interviewer. Questions encouraging the interviewer to talk about himself and the specifics of the job, especially early in the interview, are a great help in assisting you in formulating the role you want to play.