1O QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD NEVER ASK AT THE END OF AN INTERVIEW
“So, what questions do you have for us” is the usual question you always hear interviewers ask job seekers towards the end of an interview.
And this always requires an answer because most recruiters agree that “I don’t have any question” is the worst response ever.
However, are you to just throw any question(s) at the interviewer; because you are mandated to ask, or to ask informed questions that would leave the employer with a good impression of you?
This article highlights 10 questions a candidate should never ask at the end of an interview:
1. “A ‘WH’ question beginning with why”. This sort of question tends to put the interviewer on the defensive. Rather, a job seeker or interviewee should rephrase the question.
For instance a question like “why did the company layoff a lot of employees last year”
Reposition it to “I read about the layoffs the company recently had, what is the company’s plan for a better future management”.
- “Did I get the job? Or how did I do in this interview.” On one hand, it is too hasty and on the other hand, it’ll make things feel uncomfortable. People usually don not like confrontational questions and they would not want to give you a face-to-face feed back; especially if you did not do so well.
Also, this sort of questions should not be asked by a job seeker, because it makes you look unconfident; needing constant approval or feedback.
A more impressive and smart question should be, “do you have any concerns about my qualification for the role?”.
- “May I arrive early or leave late as long as I work my hours?” This question indicative of a work-life balance may not go down well with the interviewers, because it insinuates your concern is more on your needs than that of the company.Though you may have legitimate concerns, and you’re hoping for a flexible schedule; recruitersadvice against this kind of question as it is not the most pressing issue for hiring a decision maker.
- “Can I work from home?” An interview isn’t the best time or place to be asking for special favors. Some employers might even find this a question portraying laxity.
This may however come later on when you’ve proved to be a productive staff or employee for the company.
- “Do I get an office to myself?” This is an uncomfortable question and quite relative. The issue of whether you are getting the job or not should be a priority; on your mind though, not the privacy of where you will work.
- “Questions relating to salary and benefits. These sought of questions should not be raised from the job seekers end; except the interviewer asked of course.
Company’s benefit enquiry can come after an offer has been extended but not before. This principle also applies to vacation and sick leaves.
- “How much support would I get?” This question for a potential junior employee is not all bad but, it is not what should come up at an interview session.
Moreover, this sought of question shows you are a needy fellow, and employers would not want to babysit any employer.
- “How often or quickly would I be considered for a promotion?” This naturally would expose or paint a picture that says you are not really interested in bettering the job or yourself, but just want to move unto something better.
- “Will you be monitoring my social media profiles?” This question suggests that you have something to hide (from your employers), so it is advised not to ask this sought of question at all.
It can raise red flags for the company and they may wonder if such a candidate may be a threat to their image.
- “Could you tell me a little about your company?” This is totally a no, no, no.
An interviewer will expect you to have done your homework and researched on the company before hand, so this question should not arise at all.
However, questions like this can be rephrased. For example, “when I was researching, I found out it is a, b, c; could you expatiate on B a little for me?”
Virtue Edoziem.
Virtue Edoziem is a Content Creator, Research Assistant and Social Media Associate at Talents and Skills Africa Consulting.
