The interview process is a two-way street. The interviewer wants to find out about you and whether you will be a good fit for the position, but as a candidate up for the role, you should also be prepared to ask questions to figure out if the company is somewhere you want to work.
Prepping in advance and coming into the interview prepared to ask some essential questions is encouraged and expected by most companies, there are a few things you should steer clear of asking altogether.
Here are three questions you should never ask in an interview:
1.) “What does your company do?”
If you want the employer to kick you to the curb and disqualify you from the hiring process, this is the question that will do it. Companies expect applicants to do basic research about the company and come in with a general understanding of what the company does.
If you do research in advance of the interview, it shows that you’re willing to take initiative. It also proves that you’re interested the position and the company rather than just getting a job anywhere.
2.) “Will you check my Facebook page?”
If you’re worried about whether or not a potential employer is going to see your social media accounts, you’re probably already at a disadvantage. Chances are, the interviewer will check your Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn accounts prior to meeting you or shortly after the interview. By asking whether or not the company will check social media accounts, you’re already admitting to some kind of incriminating behavior.
If you are searching for a job, make sure to comb your social media pages in advance and remove photos, posts or interactions that may be detrimental to your job search. If you don’t want to delete items or accounts, set your privacy settings so that you have control over who sees what.
3.) “What’s the salary?”
Although the salary associated with a specific position is one of the most important things to consider when deciding whether to accept a new job, it is never a good idea to bring up money during a first interview. You want to avoid sounding greedy.
Most companies will ask you for salary requirements with your application. If you get a call back for an interview, the job likely fits within your range. Find out about the company first, make the interviewer aware of your credentials and what you would bring to the table and save the salary discussion for the second or final interview.
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