Every job interview, no matter whether it's the first one or the one after, is equally important to us and causes about the same amount of nerves and excitement at the same time. It is always important to remember to look impeccable and get enough sleep.
You should also care about having a high level of personal culture and, very importantly, to be prepared for possible questions you may be asked and think of what questions to ask at the interview yourself. And once you get to that point, once you know what questions to ask and what questions you might get asked, it's time to think about what interview questions not to ask and what questions from our prospective employer should set off a red light in our head.
Questions a job applicant might ask during a job interview
Well, there are dozens or even hundreds of questions you can ask, but it depends of course on the position you are currently applying for. However, we're not going to stratify by profession or career path, but instead focus on the questions you can and even should ask at any job interview.
1. What will be my responsibilities?
You will not always, or indeed almost never, find a full description of your activities and the duties of the position in the job advertisement you are looking for. It is therefore worth asking your supervisor exactly what this will look like, not only in order to familiarize yourself with your job, but also to avoid possible surprises and understatements.
2. What a working day will look like in this position?
As with the question above, we do not learn such information directly from the announcement. So it is good to find out what the hourly system is like, how many breaks there are or what the break is like, and much more.
3. What are the company's goals, and what are my growth prospects?
By asking about the company's objectives, you are showing that you are interested in its future and therefore showing that you are interested in a long-term relationship. In a way, the same applies to questions about self-development opportunities - by acquiring new skills, you support the company's growth and capabilities.
4. If the work takes place in a team, what does it look like?
Now that you have more or less got to know your supervisor, or even your boss, it is time to get to know your group of colleagues. You can take this opportunity to show off your team-working skills if you already have experience, so that you may be able to win over your employer.
5. What are the next steps in recruitment?
If you know that this is not the final stage of recruitment, ask how the next stage went. But don't ask if you will be invited to it or how you did, because that is not appropriate. Alternatively, when saying goodbye, say that you are looking forward to hearing back.
Question job applicant should not ask
Now that we have become more or less familiar with questions that are decent and even welcome at a job interview, it's time for some questions that are better not to ask. These are hardly the kind of questions that will make you lose your job outright, but they are better avoided for reasons of good manners and respect towards your manager.
1. What does your company do?
This question is a target shot at your own knee. Asking the boss of the company to which you are applying what it does will show that you have no idea why you came here. Never, under any circumstances, ask it!
2. When is, and how long is the holiday?
Questions about leave before work has even started are also not entirely welcome. You're not even working yet, but already want a rest? Your employer might see you as a lazy person or even a parasite, something we'd rather avoid.
3. Can I work in another job at the same time?
Although this is not a question that is likely to strongly offend the employer, it is also worth pausing at the very beginning of the relationship, let alone before it begins. You don't yet know what the prospects for salary, promotion and bonuses are, but you're already looking for extra income? The employer may also perceive this as less commitment to the company that he runs.
4. What do you dislike about employees?
This type of question again does not put you in a good light, although you may think otherwise. One of the issues is that it is perceived as an attempt to please you on the basis of a 'ruse', which is to find out what qualities your potential boss dislikes.
5. How did I do?
This is a very inappropriate and immature question. You will know when you receive (or not) feedback. The recruiter can't say that you did well, because that could give false hopes and cause anger and disappointment. Nor will he tell you that you performed so terribly that he hopes never to see you again. So don't ask such a question, as it will only cause mutual discomfort.
Questions to job applicant should not be asked
Apart from interview questions you cannot ask, there are also some questions you don't answer, that we can even call illegal interview questions. And these are not questions that are illegal under the law, but questions that are ethically or culturally inappropriate and just generally wrong. Every interviewer has a list of questions to ask employers, but they also should be acknowledged with ones that aren’t wanted and well perceived.
1. Marital status and personal life
This is one of the questions not to ask in an interview. While ones about interests or hobbies are used as questions to loosen up the stressed recruiter, questions about marital status, number of children, or planning for them are tactless. A job interview is used to select the best candidate for a position, not to ask about details from life, because those have nothing to do with your competence to work in the profession.
2. Sexual orientation
Once again, this is an unethical and inappropriate question that in no way relates to the employment. You don't have to, and shouldn't even answer this type of question. Your boss should not care who your partner is or what your preferences are.
3. Religion
Asking an employee about his or her religion, while not necessarily intended to do so at all, as with the question of orientation, can appear to be grounds for segregation and discrimination. This is, therefore, another one of the questions to avoid in an interview, to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings and the recruiter’s embarrassment.
4. Political views
When such questions are asked, the applicant has the right to interrupt and end the job interview. As long as it is not a job in politics, it is not an appropriate place to talk about this topic. Everyone is entitled to his or her own views and is in no way obligated to share them with the rest of the world.
5. No criminal record
Usually a current criminal record certificate is attached to the resume and cover letter, but it is not required. Asking questions about a criminal record on the part of the recruiter is therefore not advisable, because many people who have made a mistake in the past say so practically immediately, and in an office job with the right education even a less than ideal past is not always an obstacle to the job.
In conclusion, any questions about your private life, intimacy, or even issues regarding your appearance (tattoos, weight and the like), should not be of interest to your potential boss. So don't be afraid to refuse to answer, or even in the case of feelings of insult simply end the conversation, because you have absolutely every right to do so!
