10 Questions You Should Never Ask in a Job Interview

Reader Comments
Back to blog

"10. How did I do?" - I recommend that candidates ask "Is there anything about my experience that gives you second thoughts about hiring me? If so, I would like the opportunity to address it if I can."

MulderFoxx of TX 2:15PM November 15, 2011

I personally get a few of these answered by asking one of my interviewers, usually one of the employees not a manager, what a typical day is like.
This gets them talking about whether they have flexible schedules, is a pressure box or not, lunch breaks, things like that.
I have gotten answers that tell me things like "most people come in around 9 and work until 7 or 8." That told me I was not going to fit, since I have a family and like to arrive early and leave early.

Bill of CO 10:27AM November 15, 2011

I'll have to disagree with that last one as well. To me it seems to serve at least 2 purposes.
1) It will bring out any obvious concerns they interviewer may have and that I may be able to resolve.
2) If the answer is that I am a good fit, it seems that the interviewer would hesitate slightly in choosing another equal candidate over me so as not to have to retract that statement if only in his mind.

Mike S of MA 8:03AM November 15, 2011

I politely disagree with the last one. I actually used this tactic on a gentleman who closed the interview by saying that he was forthright, honest and doesn't beat around the bush. I had built a rapport with him and wanted to ferret out any concerns he might have, so I blatantly asked him "how did I do?" He expressed one concern, which I could do nothing about and wasn't a showstopper. I got the job.

RB of IL 9:12AM November 14, 2011

one wrong question to add to the list is how soon will i be able to move to another job within the company, this would very much raise red flags on whether the candidate is really interested in the job s/he is applying for, or any job!

Aseel 8:08AM November 14, 2011

As a retail store manager, I like when people ask what kind of a discount we offer. A lot of the time it shows passion for the product and I love to see their excitement, which I don't get when they aren't actually interested in the company and just want a job, any job. That said we also hold group interviews that are informal which makes it slightly more appropriate.

Kat of MT 2:57AM November 11, 2011

Alec, I'm a big fan of asking, "What are the next steps and likely timeline?" Otherwise you're going to go home and stress about when you're likely to hear something -- way better to find out that info while you have the chance. Also, if that timeline passes and you haven't heard back, you have a good reason to follow up with them.

Alison Green of DC 10:35PM November 10, 2011

What are your feelings on asking, 'What the next steps are?'
Thanks,
Alec

Alec Evans 5:58AM November 10, 2011

Thanks, Alison!

Victoria of NY 3:48PM November 09, 2011

Victoria, I'd wait until you have a job offer before asking about whether a training period is paid. (It should be, by the way! If it's not, that's a red flag.)

Alison Green of DC 2:16PM November 09, 2011