Questions You Should Not Ask During Your Interview

Job interview is over, there were no problems. You were charming but reserved. You answered interview questions well. You nailed your prepared remarks. Comfortable but confident. You’re perfect. One question remains: “Do you have any questions for me?”

This simple question can ruin a great interview. The recruiter usually leads. This is your chance to lead and establish the tone. Questions reveal your priorities. Avoid these topics:

1. What does your company do?

Don’t ask Googleable questions. You should know before the interview. It doesn’t matter if you’re interviewing with a Fortune 500 or startup. Conduct pre-interview research. This question shows you didn’t bother to understand the basics.

2. What will my responsibilities be in this job?

Check the job description. You probably applied because the job description matches your skills. Instead of asking about “the job,” ask about specifics you want to know. For example, ‘I noticed the job description mentioned I’d be doing accounting. Please explain in detail’ . Focused questions show interest.

3. How often are raises given?

You haven’t got the job yet. Your starting salary isn’t even finalized. This is not the time to be asking about the nitty-gritty details of your pay. Worse, this question implies a sense of entitlement. The implication is you expect, rather than earn raises. That’s not the kind of tone you want to set.

4. How many hours will I be working?

You may appear work-shy if you ask how much work is involved. Avoid asking for overtime or weekend work. Instead, ask the company about itself. “What does an average workday look like?” “Describe [company] culture” and “Are there opportunities to work from home occasionally” are more enlightening inquiries.

5. What will my salary be?

Salary negotiations should be avoided during job interviews. You haven’t gotten the job yet.You should know if your salary requirements fall within your potential employer’s hiring budget. That’s it. Interviewing with a company that can’t pay is pointless. Asking for a number in a job interview is inappropriate. Negotiate once the company makes an offer.

6. How soon can I take a vacation?

Asking about taking a vacation before you’ve put in your first day of work is a definite no-go. You’re at an interview to showcase why you’re the right person for a job. Asking about how soon you can get away from that job doesn’t do much to inspire confidence.

7. What will my office look like?

Your office design probably has little effect on how productive you are. Making your office size a talking point this early in the game may appear entitled or shallow. You should still be concentrating your efforts on demonstrating your suitability for the position. This is not the time to start laying down a  list of diva requirements.

8. Will I have an expense account?

You might have noticed a common thread on this list. Many questions are about negotiating perks before you’re a shoo-in for the job. Asking about an expense account falls into this category. Until you’re in the midst of negotiating an offer, the answer to this question is none of your business.

9. Will there be a background check or regular drug-testing?

See the previous question. This query will raise an eyebrow even if you have done nothing wrong. Most people won’t ask unless they’ve had an issue in the past or expect to have one in the future. On new hires, most employers conduct a basic background check. They will also ask to talk with two to three references. Unless otherwise instructed, expect this.

10. Is internet usage monitored?

Asking about restrictions on internet usage puts up immediate red flags. Same goes for email and phone calls. Why are you asking? What are you planning on doing? Were you caught using company resources for personal reasons in the past? You might think it’s just a question, but interviewers won’t see it that way.

11. I heard this rumour about [company]. what can you tell me about it?

An interview is not the place for gossip. You’re in the building on business, no matter how juicy or attention-grabbing your story is. Act like it. Even if you believe the rumor is harmless, it is none of your business. If you’re gossiping now, your interviewer could wonder how you’ll act at work. Will you gossip about coworkers or cause unnecessary drama?

12. How did I do? did I get the job?

Interviewers feel embarrassed asking about your performance. They may interview other candidates. They may need team input before reaching a choice. This query rarely yields the desired result—hiring. Being excessively eager or desperate can sometimes turn off employers. Be proud of your work. After processing, your interviewer will respond.

Ending a job interview positively is powerful. Though “do you have any questions for me?” seems like a throwaway question, what you ask can reveal a lot! So ask about your best qualities.