DON’T BLOW YOUR INTERVIEW BY ASKING THESE QUESTIONS!

So do you have any questions for me?

At this point in your interview, the ball is in your court to find out as much as you can about the position as well as the company you are applying to.

On top of it all, you are still being evaluated for the kind of questions you ask... and if you ask the wrong question, you could very well bomb your interview even if you’ve been doing well before the question part.

The goal, of course, is to ask some smart questions that show you’ve been paying attention and have done your homework on the company. You want to at least ask one or two questions; not asking any is as good as saying you’re not interested in the job.

Then there are the questions you should never ask during your job interview, such as these four...

#1 Who are your competitors/What kind of work is the company involved in?
You obviously didn’t do your homework if you had to ask these questions that you should already know the answers to! When your interviewer hears this question, it tells him one thing – you’re lazy and not interested enough in the company to do some research beforehand. Also, that you are at the interview just for the sake of being at the interview. Show some initiative and learn as much as you can about the company to show you’re interested in a position there. Instead ask this! What ventures or projects will the company be exploring in the future that may require new talent now to be prepared for it?

#2 How soon will I be promoted and do you normally get a pay raise when this happens?
Whoa, talk about jumping the gun! You haven’t even been offered the job and you’re already talking about being promoted and a new salary? Sure, it’s great to be optimistic but let’s be realistic too. Get the job first, prove yourself then only ask this question during your evaluation. Nothing turns off a recruiter faster than questions about more money. Instead ask this! What are the opportunities like in the company in terms of upskilling and internal promotion?

#3 Do you offer flexi hours? Will I be able to work from home some days?
You want to create a good impression, not one that says you’re a slacker. Asking these questions show you might be difficult to manage and not one to conform to office regulations. Besides, these aren’t your typical interview questions; you’ll find out more about these when you’re hired or during your orientation. Instead ask this! What are some working arrangements that may be available for staff here or What’s the company culture like in terms of flexibility?

#4 Do I get my own office? Can I have a cubicle by the window?Do employees get their own laptop to work from?
The types of benefits you get can determine whether you want to accept a job or not... but asking for your own office or a personal laptop is pushing it. Assume that the job comes with your basic benefits (healthcare, medical card, travel allowance). Don’t go overboard with your requests. Even if the company does provide these perks, you need to be hired first and to prove yourself before actually being able to enjoy them. Instead ask this! What kind of benefits do your employees enjoy?

Photo by olga serjantu on Unsplash