We research all brands listed and may earn a fee from our partners. Research and financial considerations may influence how brands are displayed. Not all brands are included. Learn more.

4 Questions Not to Ask In a Job Interview

- Caiaimage/Agnieszka Wozniak—Getty Images
Caiaimage/Agnieszka Wozniak—Getty Images

You may have been told, perhaps in a classroom setting, that there is no such thing as a silly question. However, when it comes to interviewing for a new job, that is just not the case. Some inquiries could even cost you a job offer. So, before heading to your next interview, take a look at these interview questions that you should avoid at all costs.

  1. Can you tell me about the company?

It’s important to prepare for an interview. If you come in the door asking for an explanation of what the company does and how they do it, you’re letting everyone in the room know that you haven’t prepared. So, do the legwork ahead of time and ask more specific questions about the company’s goals for the future, or about the specifics of the position that is available. You’ll show that you’ve done your homework, and that you have a sincere interest in developing a better understanding of how you might support the company’s objectives.

Read More: Don’t Ask These 4 Questions at Your Next Job Interview

  1. What salary/vacation time will you offer?

It’s important to engage in conversations about your compensation before accepting a position. But, these talks are best reserved for after you’ve actually been offered a job. Once there is an official offer on the table, you should negotiate, but not before. Take it one step at a time. When you get there, use PayScale’s Salary Negotiation Guide to help you get the salary you deserve.

Read More: About 1 in 5 Workers Are Pessimistic About Their Employer’s Future

  1. Would you mind speaking with my mother or father?

According to an Adecco survey, 8% of recent college graduates said they’d brought a parent along to an interview. By all means, talk to your parents and other mentors in your life about your job prospects. Learn from them and ask for advice. However, it looks unprofessional and immature to involve your parents directly in your interview/hiring process. Handle it independently, through every stage, and you’re likely to get better results.

Read More: Working Constantly Could Be Costing You a Raise, So Burn Those Vacation Days

  1. How soon can I expect a promotion?

In most cases, promotions are not earned merely via time spent with the organization. More often, promotions are merit-based and not guaranteed at any stage. So, it’s not a good idea to ask when you’ll be promoted, because that depends on you and your performance

Tags