Never Ask These Questions During a Job Interview

By Dennis McCafferty | Posted 2016-11-03

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Never Ask These Questions During a Job Interview

You can take yourself out of the running for a job during the interview by asking the following 10 questions, which can make you sound lazy or disinterested.
"What's Your Role in the Company?"

You should research this before the interview. Get the names and titles of everyone you'll meet, and use LinkedIn and other resources to find out more about what they've done and what they do now.
"Who Is Your Competition?"

This is another area you should delve into before you go to the interview. Go online and learn about the company's industry and key competitors.
"Do You Expect Layoffs Anytime Soon?"

This is a legitimate concern, but you shouldn't put an interviewer on the spot. Try rephrasing your question this way: "What's your assessment of the state of job stability here?"
"How Much Does the Job Pay?"

Obviously, salary will come up at some point, but let the interviewer bring it up. Otherwise, it may appear as if money—not the position—motivates you.
"When Will I Be Considered for a Promotion?"

Promotions are earned on the job, not negotiated during an interview. A better approach is to ask how the company develops employees for professional growth.
"What Are the Hours?"

More companies are embracing flexible work hours, but let the interviewer open this discussion, so you don't come across as a clock-watcher.
"Why Should I Work for Your Company?"

Confidence is good; cockiness isn't. A better question is, "Why do people like to work here?" That should produce valuable answers.
"How Casual Is the Office Culture?"

While it's good to know how to fit in with respect to dress and general decorum, words like "casual" may give the impression that you don't take work seriously. Instead, ask "How would you describe the office culture?"
"How Did I Do?"

This makes you sound insecure or needing approval. Asking "What are the next steps?" should provide some feedback.
"I Don't Have Any Questions."

When you have no questions for the interviewer, you convey a lack of curiosity or interest in the position. Always have a few questions prepared before you go to the interview.
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In an earlier slideshow, we shared recommendations about how to make a good impression during a job interview by being prepared to answer key questions that are often asked by employers. But there are also ways to make a bad impression at interviews. For example, you can dress inappropriately, treat people rudely, show up late or ask to leave early. You can also take yourself out of the running by asking any of the following 10 questions during a job interview. The questions cover a wide range of common interview topics, including salary, advancement, corporate culture and office hours. These subjects are fine to discuss with a potential future employer, but there are right and wrong ways to bring them up. In some cases, the questions are clearly wrong: They will make you sound lazy, entitled, self-centered and/or disinterested. Other questions aren't so obvious, but they still convey a lack of preparation or insecurity. So we're offering more acceptable phrases or strategies to the unsuitable questions, which were compiled from postings from career-themed sites, including LiveCareer and Glassdoor.

Dennis McCafferty is a freelance writer for Baseline Magazine.