Questions To Not Ask In An Interview

Interview Questions Hiring Managers Should Never Ask

10 Things to Never Say in an Interview | Interview Tips

Conducting job interviews appears to be simple. Asking some general questions about the candidate to get to know them better should be harmless, right? Well, it depends.

With discriminatory practices still being prevalent and more studies bringing light to such issues, fair recruiting and interview processes have become more of a priority. As a hiring manager, there are some lines you definitely shouldn’t cross, especially when it comes to interview questions. Not only can doing so be disrespectful, but one wrong move could also result in a costly lawsuit.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission uses a guiding principle to decide whether or not an interviewer should be asking a question: “Can the employer demonstrate a job-related necessity for asking the question?” The EEOC will use the intent of the question and the utility of the obtained information to decide if any discrimination has occurred.

The only times when discriminatory employment practices are permitted is when a person’s “religion, sex, or national origin is a bona fide occupational qualification reasonably necessary to the normal operation of that particular business or enterprise.” For example, hiring a female janitor to clean the womens bathroom.

However, hiring managers and recruiters must realize that something as seemingly innocent as a question on demographic information could end up with an impending costly lawsuit.

What Did You Like Most About Your Last Position

Knowing what you enjoyed about your last position can offer employers insight into your motivations, personality and whether you will enjoy the position available. To answer this question, focus on the positives and the work rather than the people, explain how it prepared you for this new position and the reasons why moving to this role is the right choice.

Example answer: It was a great entry-level position at a start-up agency. Not only was I learning more about marketing, but management was also very transparent, teaching us a great deal about owning a business. It was a very collaborative atmosphere, and the team and I worked together on almost every project.

Everyone’s weak point was countered by another’s strong point. I learned more working there than I ever did in college, and I’m excited to apply these skills to a new position.

What To Do If Candidates Share Protected Information

People overshare these dayson social media, in line at the grocery store, and during interviews, tooespecially when they are nervous and have a rush of adrenaline.

If a candidate accidentally says something like, Well, I beat breast cancer last year or Im having some problems paying off my debt, which is why I want a new job, you should follow these three steps:

Pause in your answer to them.

Make solid eye contact to ensure your point will get across if the interview is in person.

Say something like, Lets stick to the set of questions I have here we are short on time and move right to the next question.

If the candidate goes there again, you can be firmer and say, We unfortunately are going into personal details. Ill ask you to stick to answering the questions at hand, please. If the candidate still continues down the oversharing lane, it is advised that you end the interview as politely as possible. This indicates they arent listening or are looking for you to open an illegal can of worms. At worst, they could be a lawsuit seeker.

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Can You Explain This Gap In Your Resume

As an employer, gaps in a resume may seem concerning, but asking a candidate about them in interviews can be off-putting.

Consider this: Sometimes people take time off to raise children or care for a sick loved one. Sometimes gaps in a resume mean someone took off work to travel and see the world. Other times, there are gaps in a resume simply because an applicant left off irrelevant work experience.

When interviewing, dont focus on whats missing. Focus on the information you have and ask clarifying questions that dont make someone explain a time in their life that they left off a resume for a reason.

When Can I Expect To Receive A Promotion Or Raise

List of Interview Questions Not to Ask the Employer

It’s common etiquette to avoid questions about a position’s compensation or benefits until you receive an official job offer. Instead, ask questions about how the company measures employees’ performance and the metrics it may use to determine success. These questions can help you understand how you could excel in the position, which may provide opportunities for advancement or salary increases in the future.

Questions About The Company Culture

Questions about the company’s culture show how well the hiring managers get along with the rest of their team members. The more positive responses they give about their coworkers, the more likely they have a close relationship with them.

How would you depict the company’s culture?
Do you believe that this organization has a collaborative work environment?
What was the last company-wide team event you participated in?
What was the result of that experience with the rest of the team?
Do you have a favorite office event or tradition?
How often do you have lunch with fellow employees?
Do you meet up with employees outside of the office? If so, how often?
Are there joint events with other companies in the area?
Are there volunteering opportunities that employees can sign up for?
In what ways has the company changed since you began your tenure?

What Kinds Of Questions Should You Not Ask An Interviewer

During a job interview, it’s important to ask thoughtful, relevant questions to show employers your professionalism and excitement about the new position. Asking good questions can help you leave a positive impression on an interviewer and improve your chances of receiving a job offer. Other questions, such as those centered on the job’s perks rather than performance, may affect the interviewer’s impression of your commitment to the new position. In general, here are some topics to avoid asking an interviewer:

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Why Do You Want To Work Here

Interviewers often ask this question to determine whether or not you took the time to research the company and think critically about whether youre a good fit. The best way to prepare for this question is to do your homework and learn about the products, services, mission, history and culture of this workplace. In your answer, mention the aspects of the company that appeals to you and aligns with your values and career goals.

Example answer: The companys mission to help college grads pay off their student loan debt resonates with me. Ive been in student loan debt myself and would love the opportunity to work with a company thats making a difference. Finding a company with a positive work environment and values that align with my own has remained a priority throughout my job search and this company ranks at the top of the list.

When Youre Balancing Multiple Projects How Do You Keep Yourself Organized

Top Interview Tips: Common Questions, Nonverbal Communication & More | Indeed

Employers want to understand how you use your time and energy to stay productive and efficient. Theyre also looking to understand if you have your own system for staying on track with the work beyond the companys schedules and workflow plans. Be sure to emphasize that you adhere to deadlines and take them seriously.

Discuss a specific instance when you stayed on track. Talk about the importance and urgency of the projects you were working on and how you allocated your time accordingly. Explain how you remain organized and focused on the job in front of you.

Example: Im used to juggling projects at my current job where Im often moving between coding one software program to another. I use the timeboxing technique to make sure theyre all on track, allocating time on my calendar for certain tasks. Ive found it really helps me prioritize what needs to get done first, and it holds me accountable for the more repetitive day-to-day tasks Im responsible for.

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What Not To Ask In A Job Interview

One of the final questions in many job interviews is a question every candidate should prepare for: Do you have any questions? If you dont have at least one good question, you may risk leaving the interviewer with the impression that you dont care, that you havent fully thought through the opportunity, and/or that youre not fully engaged in the process of competing for the job. Its helpful to have at least one question in mind. However, there are several categories of questions that are generally considered off limits in a job interview.

Bad Horrible And Worst Interview Questions

1. Where do you live? This could be cause for discrimination.Ask instead: “Are you comfortable with our location?” to ensure that commuting will not be an issue. Be sure to mention any commuting benefits like ride shares or commuter compensation your company offers.

2. What country are you from?What country a candidate is from should be irrelevant.Ask instead: Are you authorized to work in the U.S.? If that’s the country you’re hiring for.

3. What is your current salary?California and other states have enacted Fair Pay acts that prohibit asking this question.Ask instead: What salary or overall compensation package are you targeting?

4. What year did you graduate?This would highlight their age which is another protected class, so avoid any question that might force admission of specific milestones tied to years.Ask instead: What are you looking for in your career right now? or What are you looking for in your next position?

5. Are you pregnant? Are you married? Do you have kids you’ll have to pick up early from school each day?Their family planning and familial status is none of your business. Focus on their qualifications for the role.Ask instead: Do you foresee any issue with being here during work hours, traveling as needed, or fulfilling the job requirements?

7. Who did you vote for?This may sound obvious but political preferences should never be discussed.Ask instead: Nothing related to politics.

What Does Customer Service Mean To You

If youre applying for a public-facing role, an employer may ask this question to determine what aspects of customer service are most important to you. A good answer will align with the companys values, which you can glean through researching their customer service policy, understanding their products and clientele and reflecting on your own experiences as a customer. Your answer can either come from the perspective of a customer or a customer service provider.

Example answer: In my experience, good customer service involves taking responsibility when something goes wrong and doing what you can to make it right. For example, on a recent flight, I had pre-ordered my meal only to discover they didnt stock enough of my dish.

Instead of simply stating the facts, the flight attendant apologized sincerely and offered me a free drink or premium snack. To me, this apology went a long way in smoothing things over. The freebie was a bonus that made me feel valued as a customer and choose the same airline for my next flight.

Questions To Ask In A Job Interview

How NOT TO Answer 10 of the Most Common Interview Questions

The Indeed Editorial Team comprises a diverse and talented team of writers, researchers and subject matter experts equipped with Indeed’s data and insights to deliver useful tips to help guide your career journey.

Job interviews should feel like a conversation, with two people asking and answering questions. You should follow the lead of your job interviewer and prioritize giving them information about yourself but know that interviewers expect you to ask questions, too. When you do, it shows your enthusiasm and genuine interest in the job.

In this article, we take a look at some smart questions you can ask during your interview and answer frequently asked questions about this part of the job interview.

Key takeaways:

Before a job interview ends, the interviewer will likely ask, Do you have any questions for me? or something along those lines, and its important you have an answer.
Prepare at least three questions to ask at the end of your job interview, and if already answered, consider asking a follow-up question.
Avoid asking questions that sound like youve already been hired, like a question that brings up perks or the companys

Recommended Reading: What Are Good Things To Say In An Interview

S To Avoid Illegal Interview Questions

The best way to avoid asking illegal interview questions is to be prepared. The best-prepared employers use a system to structure their interactions with candidates.

First, write a simple and professional job description that minimizes potential risks from the start. When it comes time to run the actual interview, we highly recommend following a structured interview process where you prepare a list of questions and ask those questions to each candidate.

Follow-up questions should be asked but keep them clearly focused on the topics at hand. Deviations from the list and asking vastly different questions of different candidates can lead to claims of discrimination and further legal troubles.

Questions Not To Ask An Employer During A Job Interview

Toward the end of an interview, almost every employer will ask, “Do you have any questions for me?” This question may seem like nothing more than a polite gesture. However, its one of the most important parts of a job interview.

Ask the right questions, and youll leave the interview with a much better sense of the job and the company. Ask the wrong ones, and you might wind up putting yourself out of contention for the job.

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What’s The Worst Thing About Working Here

While asking insightful questions during an interview is helpful, avoid asking questions with a negative focus. These questions may impact the employer’s perception of you as a candidate. Instead, ask in-depth questions about a company’s challenges and successes. For example, you may ask the interviewer why they feel proud to work for the company. These questions can help employers view you as a potential positive addition to the workplace.

What Are Some Interview Questions Not To Ask

Avoid Asking these Questions in a Job Interview

Hiring managers should understand which interviewing questions not to ask in order to avoid legal issues. While most managers know to avoid questions about age, race, or religion, sometimes questions that seem innocent can cause trouble. Understanding what can you not ask in an interview is an important skill for successful hiring managers. Here is a list of a few questions not to ask a candidate in an interview:

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How Many Kids Do You Have

This question often comes up in the small talk portion of the job interview or if you take your candidate out to lunch. The children subject is often brought up by the interviewee. She’ll see a picture of your kids on your desk and comment, and the polite thing to do is to ask her the same question back.

Except, in a job interview, you want to let that question go. The proper questions are related to the ability of your candidate to do the job. You can say, This job doesn’t have good flexibility. We’re pretty rigid about our hours. Will that work for you? You especially don’t want to get into plans for future children, as pregnancy discrimination violates the law.

What Are Your Salary Expectations

Before you walk in for your first interview, you should already know what the salary is for the position youre applying to. Check out websites such as Glassdoor, Fishbowl, or Vault.com for salary information. You could also ask people in the field by reaching out to your community on LinkedIn.

Employers will always ask this question because every position is budgeted, and they want to ensure your expectations are consistent with that budget before moving forward.

Remember that its often better to discuss a salary range rather than a specific number during the interview and leaving room for negotiation. Its also better to err on the side of caution and quote a slightly higher number as its easier to negotiate downward than upward. As a general rule of thumb, I advise not bringing up the questions about salary until your interviewer does or bringing it up too early in the process.

Example: Based on my skills and experience and on the current industry rates, Im looking at a salary around $____ .

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Current Compensation And Salary History

In a number of US states, it is illegal to ask applicants about their current compensation or salary history. This is because salary history has been used to discriminate against people whose previous salaries are judged to be too high or too low and because it can reinforce pay disparities for women and minorities.

Job Interview Question Categories/examples:

What Questions Are Not Allowed To Ask In An Interview

Hopefully Ive now convinced you why its good to ask good to ask questions in your interview.

Now here are some ideas for questions you can ask

1. Questions about the specific job:

Is this a newly created position or did somebody previously hold this position?
Will anyone report to me, and who will I report to?
What are some of the greatest challenges that this person will face?
What type of training will I receive to help prepare for this role?

2. Questions about the company:

What type of person thrives in your companys culture?
What type of growth and learning opportunities does the company offer?

3. Questions about the future:

What is the typical career progression for somebody in this role?
How do you envision this person progressing over the next 2-3 years?

If you want more ideas of what to ask, we have a list of the top 105 questions you can ask in an interview HERE.

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