The best interview is one conducted
as a two-way professional conversation. You are not only there to prove
yourself to the company, but further, to determine if you can do your
best work there, if your goals are aligned with those of the employer,
and if your career objectives can be accomplished through the
organization.
At the end of your interview, you should anticipate being asked, “Do you have any questions for me?” [b]Never decline.
By
refusing to pose a question, you show the interviewer you have not done
your homework and are uninterested in the company’s initiatives. Do not
pass up the perfect opportunity to prove your inquiring mind and
potential role within the company. However, be careful what you ask!
We’ve come up with 20 questions to avoid asking.
Tell me more about what your company does?
It’s
your job to do your homework before the interview. Research the
position ahead of time and NEVER ask a question that can be answered by
Google.
[b] If I’m hired, when can I start applying for other positions within the company?
If you haven’t even settled into a position with the company yet, how could you be looking to move already?
How quickly can I be promoted? How long before I get a raise?
Your
salary conditions have yet to be discussed and you’re already looking
for more power and more money. You may think this tells the employer
that you’re eager but, in reality, it makes you look money-hungry and
unwilling to prove your way to the top.
I heard (gossip gossip gossip). Is it true?
Don’t
ask questions about rumors, such as “Is it true your CEO was fired
because she was having an affair with her assistant?” That will tell the
interviewer you’re more interested in gossip than you are about how
your qualifications fit the job opening.
How often do we get paid?
This
makes you sound desperate, not eager. Are you interested in the
position or the paycheck? At least during the interview, show how
interested and excited you are about the work you’ll be doing.
What happened to the person before me in this position?
Maybe
they got hired, maybe they got promoted – but you don’t know. You’re
not renting an apartment and trying to figure out why the previous
homeowners left. During your job interview, it’s best to stay away from
questions like that unless the information is offered freely.
Tell me more about your background?
Asking
your interviewer about their background can be considered too personal
for some. Avoid offending or making them uncomfortable by skipping this
question.
How lenient are your workday hours?
Anything
similar to “How late can I be?” or “How many hours a week am I expected
to work?” is foul territory. You haven’t been hired yet – these things
will be learned once you’ve gotten the job.
How many vacation days do I get?
Again, you’re not even an employee yet and you’re looking for a getaway on your company’s dime?
How long is lunch?
Not only is it odd that this is already on your mind, it’s extremely irrelevant to the job position.
Do you monitor Internet usage or work email?
A
company isn’t interested in someone who’s worried about these sorts of
things. You’ll come across as someone who spends hours on Facebook
during the workday instead of a person who uses their time effectively.
What’s the starting salary?
This
is a make-or-break question for many people, and it’s undoubtedly
important. However, surely that information is already provided
elsewhere or it’s negotiable — upon being offered the position, that is.
As tempting as it is to ask, wait!
How many sick days do you allow?
This
tells your employer that you either get sick often (which isn’t good
for business or their health insurance coverage) or that you’re looking
to see how much hookie you can play. Either way is a lose-lose.
What does your organization do?
You
shouldn’t ask questions about the company that you could learn by just
doing a little research, such as “What kind of products do you
manufacture?” Before an interview, your job is to learn as much as
possible about the company by perusing the company’s website and reading
journal articles and news reports about the company.
Can I work from home if need be?
You’ve hardly been hired and you’re already looking to escape the office?
Will my work follow me home?
Obviously
no one likes to leave the office, go home and do more work. But by
posing this question, you’re implying that you are lazy and unwilling to
go the extra mile to complete quality work – no matter how long it
takes.
Am I expected to work weekends?
Again, this makes
you sound lazy and unavailable. Employers want to know you’re an open
book, excited and ready to dive in head first.
What kind of health package/benefits do you offer?
You’re
not an employee yet. Although this is important information to know, if
you move along in the interview process as a serious candidate for the
position, benefits will be discussed with you. Wait until you’re offered
the position before you start asking about benefits. See human
resources for these kinds of inquiries, not the interviewer.
Will I have to take a drug test or do a background check?
The
red flag has officially been raised. Suggesting there could be a
problem with your criminal background or that you’re apprehensive about
taking a drug test as a condition of employment will be detrimental to
your interview.
Do I have to be at work everyday?
Anticipate that the answer is yes from the time you interview until your first week of work.
Conclusion
Since
you’ll now be avoiding the above at all costs, try something safe like,
“While researching your company, I learned that ________________. Can
you tell me more about that?” Or show genuine interest in a recent
project they’ve taken on that you would like to hear more about. Do your
research, prepare and be yourself — you’ll nail it.
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