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First off, I'm hoping to getting into a PhD program, hence I can only talk from an "outsider" point of view.
1) Main thing is that at least yours and the supervisor's interests are as close as possible. Other than that, I don't know how you can choose a supervisor that you are sure you like. I'm not sure how it is like for econs, but in some other fields of studies, you have 1 to 2 years before you need to choose a supervisor - hence you have some time to observe and work with diff people to see how is your chemistry with them.
2) Yes and no. Most schools would like their PhD students to remain in the academia - that is what they are trained for. However, for economics, I guess you have more options in the industry and ngo.
The general point to note is - if you want to be in the academia, you need a phd. But you don't have to be in the academia just because you have a phd.
The more important issue to consider is the opportunity cost. Does the career you desire requires you to spend 4 to 5 years getting a phd?
3) Most people who enter the phd program have a general direction their want to puruse. e.g. marco, miro, dev econ, etc. Some may have already have very specific questions that they want to address. e.g. "marco economic policies in south asia economies in the 20th century." This would guide them in the search for potential advisors as well as in the writing of the statements of purpose or personal statements.
However, most of the time, these directions and research questions would change once you enter the program... due to the supervisor's interest, focus, change of interest, etc.
Hence it doesn't kill you that you have no specific interest at this point. But it makes it difficult for you to identify schools to apply to and profs to work with.
my 2 cents' worth.
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