Job hunting is a very responsible time in every person’s life, particularly, if you’ve been unemployed for a while and desperately need a new job. Due to the constant pressure, job hunters often feel a lot of stress, and a job interview is probably the most stressful step of the job seeking process. Last week we’ve covered the questions you need to ask your interviewer or future employer to make a good impression, and now we’ll cover the questions you should never mention on a job interview – not only will they make you look incompetent, but they can also damage your prospects of getting a job.
What does your company do?
Employers and recruiters really appreciate it when future employees are well prepared for an interview. Preparation includes not only honing your skills, but also researching the company and what it does. It will be much better for your chances if you demonstrate your knowledge about the company instead of asking the most basic questions that you could have easily answered if you looked up the company on Google. So, instead of asking what the company does, ask the interviewer what has been the latest big achievement in the company and what made that achievement possible.
What is the salary?
It’s considered rude to ask any finance-related questions during the initial interview before you get an official offer from the company. The salary and bonuses are usually not disclosed by the company to anyone, but employees, so in order to know how much you’ll be making you need to first be accepted to the position by the employer. However, if there is a minimum of money you want to be making, state that minimal amount in your CV or a cover letter, so that companies that pay less wouldn’t even invite you to interviews and waste your and their own time.
When can I get a vacation?
If you’ve been out of job for a while, you’re probably not thinking about going on vacation right now, but if you’re switching from job to job and you haven’t had a vacation in a long time, you’re naturally going to be interested in knowing when you can get some time off. However, instead of asking the interviewer directly about your future vacation, ask about the company’s policy when it comes to vacation – there you can find out that typically new employees can’t get any time off until they’ve worked for 6 months, a year, or even more, since every company sets those rules themselves.
Can I make my schedule flexible?
Usually, when the company offers remote work or a flexible schedule, it says so in the job ad, which is why your questions regarding remote work or schedule flexibility can be viewed as if you’re putting your needs above the company’s needs before you’ve even been hired. However, if you’re asking for a flexible schedule because of some legitimate concerns, like picking your kids from daycare, and not just because you like to sleep until late. So you better discuss your options with an employer, clearly stating your reasons – chances are they will accommodate to your needs if you’re a valuable employee.
How soon can I get a promotion?
Career aspirations are a great thing that demonstrates that you like to set goals and achieve them, especially, if this fact is supported by your CV where you often got promotions for being a good employee. However, if you’re being interviewed for an entry level position and immediately ask the interviewer about your promotion opportunities, it might seem like you’re not interested in the current position and are only looking to be promoted, which is not a good sign for any employee. If you feel like an entry level position is not really for you, but you’re feeling really ambitious, try interviewing for a better position from the start.
Is there overtime work?
Being concerned with your working schedule is perfectly normal, especially if you have a family or other commitments that need your attention right after work. However, it’s not a secret that employers prefer to hire workaholics, or people who can sacrifice a lot to keep their jobs. For this reason, your interest in the work schedule may signal the employer that you’re not too motivated to get the job. You can still find out if working overtime or on weekends is required, just rephrase your question – ask the interviewer what the typical workday is like.
