We all know just how important it is for you, the interviewee, to ask questions during your interview. It shows you’re genuinely interested in the position, and want to get your head around some of the finer details as to what the job will entail. Questions such as ‘what would a typical day in this company involve?’ actually give the interviewer a chance to visualise you in that role, as they take you through the typical tasks and daily routine of the job. However, not all questions are created equal… and there are some questions which you should absolutely avoid if you want to seal the deal on that dream position!

Here’s a quick rundown of five questions to avoid asking in any interview if you want the success you deserve.

 

What does your company do?

You’d be amazed how many times questions like this come up. We know that when you’re job-seeking, you might get a flurry of interviews all at once… but there’s never any excuse for not doing your homework in advance, and brushing up on all you need to know beforehand. The key to success in interviews is focus, showing genuine interest, and attention to detail. Take some real time before the interview to read through the company’s website, and choose one or two of their achievements to ask specific questions on.

 

How much holiday pay / sick pay / other perks do I get?

Unless you’re asked directly about something relating to these sorts of things, it’s best to leave them well alone at the interview stage, and not bring them up at all until a job offer comes in. Showing interest in your absence from the company before you’ve even got the job doesn’t exactly show you to be the willing, dedicated, serious candidate you are.

 

Can I move into other parts of the business?

Want to look disinterested in the role at hand, and dash your chances of making the shortlist? Then ask a question like this. Now, it may well be that you see this job as a springboard to another position – we’ve all gone to interviews with this in mind – but it doesn’t mean you need to let the recruiter know this. Show some enthusiasm for the job you are applying for, and once you’ve got it in the bag, you can enquire about promotion possibilities.

 

What’s the company nightlife like?

It may well be that in your last job, Friday evenings down at the pub with your colleagues was an important part of the team-building process. However, there’s a time and a place for these sorts of things, and it seems somewhat inappropriate to bring it up at an interview. If you want to know something about how the team or office members bond together, you could ask instead what the best part of the ‘office culture’ is – just make sure you word your questions carefully.

 

How did I do?

We know it might seem like a funny, cheeky quip to pull out at the end of the interview… but your recruiter will have heard it before, and they won’t be impressed. Furthermore, they probably wouldn’t be able to give you an answer even if they wanted to.