45 Questions You Should NOT Ask in a Job Interview
When an interviewer asks you if you have any questions during a job
interview, this is your opportunity to do three important things:
1. Collect information about the job and the employer that is important to you -- the things that will help you determine whether or not you will accept a job offer (if one is given).
2. Demonstrate to the interviewer that you have done some research about them -- that you are actually interested in the job, not just wasting time.
3. Demonstrate that you are a good fit for the job and for the organization and would be an asset, if they can convince you to accept a job offer.
Read 45 Questions to Ask in a Job Interview for suggestions on good questions to ask.
Don't Ask These Questions
Asking these questions -- or asking them too early -- in the interview process may indicate lack of interest, preparation, or intelligence. They may indicate potential problems that might disqualify you as a candidate, like lack of honesty or lack of integrity.
Asking these questions may also demonstrate that you aren't very interested in the job at all, which is a deadly impression to give an interviewer.
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You Are More Interested in the Employee Discount Than the Job
These questions seem to show that you are more interested in being a customer (or reseller) than in being an employee.
Some employers may be happy to have you be a customer, but some will think of you as a competitor (a.k.a. reseller):
• Do employees get discounts?
• Can employee discounts be shared with family and friends?
• Is there a limit to how much I can buy with my employee discount?
If the answers to these questions may cause you to accept or reject this job offer, consider whether you want a different job or to start your own business.
You Are More Interested in a Date Than the Job
Even if the job interview is for a job with a dating service, don't flirt. Questions like this are inappropriate and will probably kill your chances of getting a job (or eventually dating someone at work):
• Want to go out for drinks or coffee later?
• Is s/he married or have a significant other?
• Are all the employees here so "hot" (or -- much worse -- as hot as you are)?
Focus on questions about the job. These questions may feel like they're tension breakers or funny, but they aren't appropriate in a job interview. Unless you are interviewing for a job as a comedian, trying to be funny is not usually a good idea.
You Would Be a Pain-in-the-Neck to Work With or to Manage
Some environments may not be good for you -- too noisy, too hot or too cold, for example. So be observant when you are there for your job interview. While many of these issues may be very important to you, these questions are probably not appropriate for the first job interview without a good explanation of why you are asking:
• Is it always so noisy here?
• Is it always so cold (or hot) here? Can I turn up the heat (or air conditioning) when I'm working?
• I prefer working from my home. How often would you expect me to be here?
• Is it OK to arrive late or leave early if my work is done or if no one needs my help?
• Do you have a lot of rules about what you can wear here?
• I don't like Mac's (or PC's). Can I have a different kind of computer to use?
• I don't want a cubicle. Can I have an office with a window?
• Can I have the newest smartphone (or name of model) with the maximum memory, best camera, and unlimited usage?
Asking about telecommuting or flextime can be appropriate if asked carefully. After you've worked for an employer for a while, you may find that asking some of these questions are appropriate. Or, the answers may be obvious.
Consider requesting to see the "personnel manual" or other guide for employees about accepted (and unacceptable) behavior at work that could be shared with you if they offer you a job (and before you accept their offer).
Read more | job-hunt.org
1. Collect information about the job and the employer that is important to you -- the things that will help you determine whether or not you will accept a job offer (if one is given).
2. Demonstrate to the interviewer that you have done some research about them -- that you are actually interested in the job, not just wasting time.
3. Demonstrate that you are a good fit for the job and for the organization and would be an asset, if they can convince you to accept a job offer.
Read 45 Questions to Ask in a Job Interview for suggestions on good questions to ask.
Don't Ask These Questions
Asking these questions -- or asking them too early -- in the interview process may indicate lack of interest, preparation, or intelligence. They may indicate potential problems that might disqualify you as a candidate, like lack of honesty or lack of integrity.
Asking these questions may also demonstrate that you aren't very interested in the job at all, which is a deadly impression to give an interviewer.
Advertisement
You Are More Interested in the Employee Discount Than the Job
These questions seem to show that you are more interested in being a customer (or reseller) than in being an employee.
Some employers may be happy to have you be a customer, but some will think of you as a competitor (a.k.a. reseller):
• Do employees get discounts?
• Can employee discounts be shared with family and friends?
• Is there a limit to how much I can buy with my employee discount?
If the answers to these questions may cause you to accept or reject this job offer, consider whether you want a different job or to start your own business.
You Are More Interested in a Date Than the Job
Even if the job interview is for a job with a dating service, don't flirt. Questions like this are inappropriate and will probably kill your chances of getting a job (or eventually dating someone at work):
• Want to go out for drinks or coffee later?
• Is s/he married or have a significant other?
• Are all the employees here so "hot" (or -- much worse -- as hot as you are)?
Focus on questions about the job. These questions may feel like they're tension breakers or funny, but they aren't appropriate in a job interview. Unless you are interviewing for a job as a comedian, trying to be funny is not usually a good idea.
You Would Be a Pain-in-the-Neck to Work With or to Manage
Some environments may not be good for you -- too noisy, too hot or too cold, for example. So be observant when you are there for your job interview. While many of these issues may be very important to you, these questions are probably not appropriate for the first job interview without a good explanation of why you are asking:
• Is it always so noisy here?
• Is it always so cold (or hot) here? Can I turn up the heat (or air conditioning) when I'm working?
• I prefer working from my home. How often would you expect me to be here?
• Is it OK to arrive late or leave early if my work is done or if no one needs my help?
• Do you have a lot of rules about what you can wear here?
• I don't like Mac's (or PC's). Can I have a different kind of computer to use?
• I don't want a cubicle. Can I have an office with a window?
• Can I have the newest smartphone (or name of model) with the maximum memory, best camera, and unlimited usage?
Asking about telecommuting or flextime can be appropriate if asked carefully. After you've worked for an employer for a while, you may find that asking some of these questions are appropriate. Or, the answers may be obvious.
Consider requesting to see the "personnel manual" or other guide for employees about accepted (and unacceptable) behavior at work that could be shared with you if they offer you a job (and before you accept their offer).
Read more | job-hunt.org