Avoid Asking These Three Questions

Hiring managers expect you to be on top of your game from the moment you enter the office. Part of preparing for a job interview requires you to prepare interview questions. Asking questions during an interview shows you are prepared and interested in not only the position but also the company as a whole. However, there are several topics you should avoid to minimize the risk of offending potential employers.

1. Am I Hired?

While it is crucial for applicants to approach a job interview in a confident manner, an aggressive approach can make hiring managers uncomfortable. Interview questions that force the interviewer to make an immediate decision are just not appropriate while you are meeting with a potential employer for the first time. Candidates who assume the hiring manager is immediately impressed appear to be to blunt or self-serving. Your interviewer may assume you are fishing for compliments versus seriously inquiring about working for the company. Instead, ask about qualities and qualifications the company is seeking in the ideal employee. This provides you with the opportunity to discuss your own qualifications and qualities to show you are the ideal person for the job.

2. How Does Your Team Socialize?

Asking interview questions about the company culture shows you are willing to be part of the team and seeking an opportunity for personal and professional fulfillment. However, if you ask about happy hour celebrations and social activities outside of work, it appears you are looking for a job that offers more play than work. Instead, inquire about the dynamics of the company's employee base. Questions such as "What type of team bonding activities are available?" and "How do your employees work as a team?" show you are interested in working together with your potential co-workers, yet do not rely solely on social opportunities outside of work.

3. If I'm Not Hired, Can You Consider Me for Another Opening?

When asking these types of interview questions, you are assuming you are not going to get the current position available. This indicates you are not confident with your skill set or experience. Applicants who ask this question during an interview also put the hiring manager on the spot. Focus on the position at hand versus indicating you will take any available job within the company. If an interviewer is impressed with your skills and your professional demeanor, she may naturally consider you for another position. However, it is not appropriate to directly inquire if you can be considered for additional opportunities when asking interview questions.

Prepare a list of interview questions focused on how you can impact the company's success. Applicants who prepare questions that are professional and related to the industry without putting the hiring manager on the spot have the potential to make a positive impression.

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