Many people find job interviews to be awkward and anxiety provoking. It is very important to make a good impression. You have probably heard that asking questions in a job interview is a good idea, because it shows that you are engaged in the discussion, genuinely interested in learning more about the position and prove that you place a lot of attention on detail.
All of these points are true, but asking inappropriate questions can actually work against you. It is best to make a list of questions beforehand and make sure that they are likely to paint you in a positive light.
Avoid Asking Bad Questions in an Interview
You have probably heard the phrase “there are no stupid questions except those that aren’t asked.” This idiom should be thrown out when you are preparing for a job interview. Some questions can paint you in a bad light, which is not what you should be going for in any job interview. Here are some questions that you should never ask when applying for a job.
Questions about the Company’s Business Model
You should do your research on a company before applying for a job. The job interview is not the time to ask that information. The interviewer will assume that you either aren’t intelligent enough to grasp the concept or that you simply didn’t care enough about the position to do the research beforehand. You will also have a hard time convincing them that you are a good fit if you don’t even understand how you fit in the organization.
Questions about Telecommuting
The job description will state whether or not you can work from home. If it doesn’t state that then you should expect to show up in the office every day. Asking whether you can work from home can lead the interviewer to believe that you aren’t a team player, are uncomfortable with authority or don’t want to get caught slacking off.
Questions about Salary
This is one of the biggest mistakes that people make on interviews. You should never discuss your salary until after you have been awarded a position. The purpose of the first interview is to convince the employer that you are going to benefit them. Wait until you have been offered a job to discuss salary and other compensation.
Questions about Time Commitments
You need to avoid asking anything about the amount of time that you will be expected to work. You should also avoid asking questions related to taking a vacation right before the job. These questions can make it sound like you are trying to do as little work as possible, especially if you are working in a job that pays a salary. You want to convince the interviewer that you are eager to start working.
Asking Whether You Got the Job
You should never ask whether you got the job. This puts the interviewer in the awkward position of telling you that you need to interview other candidates. It also makes it look like you are inpatient and insecure.
About the author: Kalen discusses trends and current issues in finance, the workplace the economy. He shares tips for other young people looking for their first professional career.
