How to NOT Get the Job By Asking Your Interviewer These Questions

admin

4 years ago

You got the interview! Yes! But will you blow your chances of getting the job by asking the interviewer inappropriate questions? Do you know what questions to ask the interviewer?

How to NOT Get the Job By Asking Your Interviewer These Questions

Anything You Should Already Know (i.e., what are the responsibilities of this job?)

By the time you get to the interview, you should already know a lot about the job to which you are applying and the company. If you aren’t sure about the job, why did you apply? You should thoroughly read the job description and conduct informational interviews with the hiring manager, recruiter, or other personnel to fully understand the job before your interview.

So, you should avoid asking the interviewer questions about the scope of the role and key accountabilities. Instead, focus your questions on how to be successful once you have the job.

2. Anything about Salary & Benefits

Discussions around salary and benefits usually occur after an offer is made. Once the interviewer assesses your skills and fit for the role, he or she will make you an offer that would include this information. At that time, it is appropriate to ask clarifying questions or even negotiate for changes.

Asking about salary and benefits too early can imply you care more about those aspects than the job itself. This may be a red flag for the interviewer.

3. What are the hours? Can I work an alternative schedule or at home?

Usually, important information about work schedules and location is stated in the job posting. So, for example, if you’d need to work nights or weekends, that would be stated in the job description. Or, if the job was based at home (instead of in the office), that should be stated on the job description. Anything else would be an accommodation for you, which is not appropriate to discuss before you are offered the job. If you’d like to have alternatives to the standard hours or working environment, I suggest you wait until after you have an offer.

4. When would I get a promotion?

Asking about promotions before you get the job is putting the cart before the horse. By asking about promotions, you risk signaling to the interviewer that you care more about getting ahead than you do about succeeding in the role. Instead, you should ask questions like, “what is key to succeeding in this role?” Or, “what are the key drivers of success for the top performers?” That shows the interviewer where your attention is: on doing well once you get the job! Not, “when can I get my next job?”

If promotions are really important to you, I suggest asking any friends that you know that work there instead of the interviewer.

5. Anything Proprietary

Avoid asking questions that people outside the company should not be aware of. So, for example, if the company is launching a new product, do not ask about the details of that launch. While it may be exciting to you, that’s proprietary information that they cannot share. Asking about it puts the interviewer in a difficult position, which is not the feeling you want to leave them with.

I’d love to hear in the comments..what are your top questions to ask the interviewer??

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