All too often, working moms join companies only to learn the company is in financial distress.  They pursue a smaller company in the hopes of more flexibility or the ability to impact the business. However, they were either purposely misled during the interview or never told about the company's dire situation.  When joining a company, especially a small start-up or early stage venture, asking probing interview questions will unearth the company's true financial status.

Before accepting a job at a company where the financial status is suspect (not a public company where financial statements are publicly available), below are 10 probing interview questions to ask.  With each question, listen intently to the answer and ask follow-up questions.

Because the company is private, the financials will be harder to unearth but these 10 questions will provide valuable clues.

1. What was the impact of the company's financial results for its latest product to market?  If you get an answer that focuses on the new customers generated or improved branding, ask follow-up questions like the impact on sales? Profitability?  ROI? NI?

2. How has headcount changed over the past 5 years?  How many employees do you foresee hiring over the next year?

3. Other than this role, which role will you be filling next?

4. How involved are the investors in operating the business?

5. When was the last round of funding received?  Do you anticipate needing another round of funding? If so, when?

6. How large are the top 3 clients by sales - as a % of total sales?  Do they comprise the majority of the company's revenues?

7. What do you need me to do within the next 6 months to impact the bottom line most directly?

8. How does top management interact to make decisions?  Do business leaders work separately within their own groups or is it more of a team approach?

9. How long have the top 3 people been with the firm?

10. How does the company market or invest in marketing and branding?  What is its 6 month or 12 month sales strategy?

There are many more questions you could ask, depending on level and role, but these questions will pave the way for a productive discussion regarding the company's financial state.  Once you have accepted the role, you should ask to review the company's financials.