Questions to Ask at a Job Interview…and Those Not to Ask

In most interviews, the candidate is required to ask questions from the interviewer before the close of the interview. This is usually a big challenge for many candidates. The general advice we give is that, go with a question in mind, which you may derive from something that you find interesting while researching them. However, in the course of the interview, something more interesting may come up, you may decide to drop your planned question for the new issue that came up.

Also, you can ask question about any general thing you observed about the company. One of my friends, while interviewing with a popular indigenous oil major in Nigeria some years back, asked his question in the form of a comment.

His comment/question, paraphrased:

“I am really impressed with the strides of this company. However, I observe that your filling stations are not usually as neat and attractive as that of  ABC and XYZ, your competitor. This may be seen as a minor thing, but I think it goes a long way in customer attraction and retention. Is the company planning to do something about this?”

It was a very deep comment, and a honest feedback. The interviewers managed to respond to him.

But that question (feedback that even their sales people have not been honest enough to tell them)  got the company find a place for massive renovation of its key stations in in their corporate budget for the next year.

The tips below are originally published in About.com. We think it can be a helpful guide in framing your questions before going for an interview or during an interview.

General Guidelines for Asking Questions

Avoid “Me” Questions
“Me” questions are those that put yourself ahead of the employer. These include questions about salary, health insurance, vacation time, work hours per week, and other concessions. During an interview, you are trying to demonstrate to the employer how you can benefit the company, not the other way around. Once you are offered a position, you can begin to ask what the company can do for you.

Ask One Question at a Time
Avoid multi-part questions; they will only overwhelm the employer. Each question should have one specific point.

Avoid “Yes” or “No” Questions
Most questions with a “yes,” “no,” or other one-word answer could likely be answered by searching the company’s website. Instead, stick to questions that will create a dialogue between yourself and the employer.

Ask Questions About Multiple Topics
Avoid asking questions about just one subject. For example, if you only ask questions about your manager and his managerial style, the interviewer may assume you have an issue with authority figures. Ask questions about a variety of topics to demonstrate your curiosity and interest in all aspects of the position.

Nothing Too Personal
While it is a good idea to try to establish a rapport with your interviewer, do not ask personal questions that are not public information. For example, if you see a college banner on the employer’s wall, you can certainly ask if he went to that college. However, avoid overly personal questions about the interviewer’s family, race, gender, etc.

Questions NOT to Ask at a Job Interview

There are some questions that you should avoid asking, since they won’t present you in a positive light.

• What does this company do? (Do your research ahead of time!)
• If I get the job when can I take time off for vacation? (Wait until you get the offer to mention prior commitments)
• Can I change my schedule if I get the job? (If you need to figure out the logistics of getting to work don’t mention it now…)
• Did I get the job? (Don’t be impatient. They’ll let you know.)

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JARUSHUB INTERVIEW COACHING

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