Interviews definitely make people nervous, but in my eyes the hardest part is at the end when the interviewer asks, “Do you have any questions?”
It is here you try to think of something to say, and you must be careful of what you say. The wrong type of questions can ruin a great first impression, so here is a list of ten things you should avoid asking:
1. What does the company do?
Asking this question shows you didn’t put in a little time and effort to research, meaning you aren’t prepared and perhaps even lazy.
2. Does this job offer any benefits?
This isn’t the time to ask about benefits; you want to avoid asking nitty-gritty details such as these before even being hired. At this point, the questions should only be about the job and company.
3. Can I leave early on certain work days?
Do not ask for special treatment, especially before you get the job. Employers will only end up assuming you’ll regularly ask for exceptions.
4. Does the company perform drug tests?
This obviously can raise some red flags about your extracurricular activities. It is best to avoid this, as you will find out soon enough about a drug test.
5. Are there employee discounts?
This makes you seem like you’re only interested in what the company can do for you.
6. How long is my lunch break?
This implies that you only care about getting away from work.
7. Do you check references?
Asking this implies you either lied or have something to hide. It is best to assume the company will check.
8. How did I do during the interview?
This question can put pressure on the interview because a legitimate interview will take a few days to decide on the proper candidate.