Going into a job interview can be nerve-wracking. You want to make a good impression and show the interviewer why you are the best candidate for the role. While you likely have questions prepared to ask at the end about the company, position, etc., you’ll want to avoid certain inappropriate or irrelevant questions. Asking the wrong questions could hurt your chances of getting an offer. So what should you never ask in an interview?
Questions About Salary and Benefits
One major mistake is asking about salary, raises or benefits too early. An interview is meant to assess whether you are the right fit for the role and company culture. Immediately asking about money and perks can signal that you care more about what the company can do for you rather than what you can contribute. It’s advisable to wait until you have received an offer before negotiating pay. Some other specific questions to avoid:
- “How much does this job pay?”
- “How often are raises given?”
- “How quickly can I get promoted?”
- “When does vacation time kick in?”
- “Do you pay overtime?”
- “What benefits do you offer?”
If the interviewer brings up salary expectations, you can give a reasonable range based on average pay for that role and your experience level. But let the employer broach compensation details first.
Questions That Show Lack of Interest
You want to come across as enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the company. Asking questions that illustrate you haven’t done any research is a big mistake. For example:
- “What does this company do?”
- “What products/services do you offer?”
- “How long have you been in business?”
These basic facts should be easy to find on the company’s website or with a quick online search. Asking them shows lack of preparation and initiative on your part.
Similarly, do not ask questions to which you should already know the answers, like:
- “What would my responsibilities be in this job?”
- “Who would I report to?”
- “What are the typical hours?”
These details are usually included in the job description. If you have additional questions about the day-to-day responsibilities and expectations, you can ask those specifically rather than appearing oblivious to what the role entails.
Negative Questions About the Company
Never ask questions that cast the company in a negative light, such as:
- “Why is this position open?”
- “Why have so many people left the company recently?”
- “Your stock price has dropped 20%, how are you addressing that issue?”
- “I’ve heard there’s a high turnover rate, is that true?”
HR is not likely to bad-mouth their own company or air dirty laundry about problems. You’ll just end up looking combative and critical. Focus on positive aspects of the job and keep questions upbeat.
Awkward Personal Questions
Never ask the interview personal questions about their age, political affiliations, religion, marital status, ethnicity, etc. It’s illegal for employers to discriminate based on these protected classes, so your questions could raise red flags. Keep the interview professional and focused only on the job itself.
Here are some personal questions to avoid:
- “How old are you?”
- “Are you married?”
- “Do you have kids?”
- “What religion are you?”
- “What nationality are you?”
- “What political party do you support?”
Likewise, don’t ask intrusive questions about their personal life like “Do you live nearby?” or “What does your husband do?” Keep the conversation centered on your professional qualifications and attitude.
Questions That Hint at Bias
Don’t ask any questions that could betray bias, even inadvertently. For example:
- “How many women work here?”
- “Is this a family-friendly environment?”
- “Do you celebrate holidays here?”
While these may seem innocuous to you, they could imply that you are biased about working with certain genders, people with families, or non-Christian cultures that celebrate different holidays. Tread carefully with any questions related to race, gender, religion, etc.
Pushy Questions
Avoid questions that put pressure on the interviewer or back them into a corner. For example:
- “When can I expect to get an offer?”
- “Are there any other candidates you are considering?”
- “Can you tell me right now if you think I’m a fit?”
It’s perfectly fine to ask about their timeline for making a decision if they haven’t provided one. But don’t push for an answer they aren’t prepared to give. You want to build rapport in the interview, not make demands.
Conclusion
While you should prepare thoughtful questions to show your interest in the company and role, you also want to avoid problematic questions that could ruin your chances. Stick to questions about the qualifications they are seeking, the team you’d be working with, avenues for professional development, etc. With the right questions, you can make a great impression and stand out from other applicants.