Not all questions leave a good impression in a job interview. The wrong questions can make you seem unprepared, uninterested, or even unprofessional. To make the best impression, it’s important to know which questions to avoid and why they could hurt your chances of landing the job.
Why Asking the Right Questions Matters
When it comes to job interviews, employers aren’t just evaluating your qualifications, they’re also assessing your curiosity, preparation, and professionalism. Failing to ask questions or asking generic ones can make you seem indifferent or unprepared.
By taking the time to craft insightful questions, you not only gain valuable information about the job but also leave a strong impression on the interviewer, increasing your chances of landing the position.
Questions to Avoid Asking in an Interview
1. Questions That Show Lack of Preparation
One of the biggest mistakes you can make in a job interview is asking questions that reveal you haven’t done your homework. These include:
"What does your company do?"
"What’s your company’s mission?"
"What are the basic responsibilities of this role?"
Why These Hurt Your Chances:
These questions suggest you didn’t take the time to research the company or carefully read the job description. Employers expect candidates to have a basic understanding of the organization and the role before walking into the interview. Asking about information that’s easily available on the company’s website, LinkedIn page, or job listing shows a lack of initiative.
What to Ask Instead:
Show that you've done your research by asking more specific, thoughtful questions like:
"I saw on your website that your company recently launched [a product/project]. How does this role contribute to its success?"
"Can you tell me more about the team structure and how this role fits into upcoming projects?"
"What qualities do successful employees in this role typically have at your company?"
These questions demonstrate that you’re genuinely interested, well-prepared, and ready to contribute.
2. Questions About Salary, Benefits, or Perks Too Early
While salary, vacation time, and remote work options are important factors in any job, bringing them up too early in the interview process can send the wrong message. Examples of questions:
How much will I get paid?
How much vacation time do you offer?
Can I work remotely right away?
Why These Hurt Your Chances
Immediately asking about salary and perks gives the impression that you’re more focused on what the company can do for you rather than how you can contribute. It also gives a signal of lacking interest in the job itself and makes you seem impatient because you discuss salary and benefits at the wrong time. Asking too soon can make it seem like you’re rushing the process before establishing your qualifications.
When and How to Ask These Questions
Instead of asking these questions in the first meeting with the interviewer, you should consider the time and situation first before coming up with these questions. This is when and how you should ask:
Wait until the employer brings it up — Many companies will outline salary, benefits, and remote work policies as the interview progresses.
Ask in a strategic way –– Instead of leading with salary, you could ask, “Can you share more about the total compensation package, including benefits and growth opportunities?”
Research in advance –– Gather information about salary ranges and benefits in job descriptions or on sites like Glassdor
3. Negative or Unprofessional Questions
While it’s natural to be curious about company culture, leadership styles, and workplace policies, framing your questions in a way that sounds skeptical, intrusive, or overly critical can create doubt in the interviewer’s mind about whether you’re a good fit. Questions you shouldn’t ask:
What’s the worst thing about working here?
Do you monitor employees’ emails or internet use?
Do you like your boss?
Do you want to get coffee after this?
Will you check my background or references?
Do you monitor employee performance closely?
Why These Hurt Your Chances
Asking about the worst aspects of a job can make you seem overly skeptical or suggest that you’re expecting a bad experience and may assume you’re worried about being micromanaged or concerned about past issues coming up in a background check. It also means you have cross professional boundaries
Better Approach: Keep It Positive and Professional
Instead of asking questions that create doubt or discomfort, reframe them in a way that keeps the conversation constructive:
What are some of the biggest challenges employees in this role face, and how does the company help overcome them?
How does the company ensure a culture of trust and accountability among employees?
How does the company provide feedback and support for continuous improvement?
Explore: Red flags to watch for when researching about a company
4. Questions Suggesting You’re Not Interested in the Role
Employers want to hire candidates who are genuinely excited about the position they’re interviewing for. If you ask questions that suggest you’re already looking for another role within the company, it may raise concerns about your commitment. Some questions give sign you are not interested:
Are there other positions available here?
When can I apply for a different job within the company?
Why These Hurt Your Chances
Questioning about other positions gives signals that you are not interested in the role or see this role as a stepping stone rather than a position you truly want. Recruiters will think that you are eager to switch jobs immediately. And asking this question can make it harder for the interviewer to envision you succeeding in the position.
Better Alternative: Show Enthusiasm for the Current Opportunity
Instead of focusing on other roles, express genuine interest in the job you’re applying for and how you plan to contribute. If you’re interested in long-term growth within the company, phrase your question in a way that aligns with career progression:
How does this role contribute to the company’s long-term goals, and what opportunities exist for growth within this department?
What opportunities for career development and internal advancement does the company offer over time?
5. Questions That Assume You Can Change Job Terms
It’s important to show that you respect the role as it’s defined. Asking if you can change fundamental aspects of the job, such as the schedule, office requirements, or responsibilities before you’ve even been hired can raise red flags for employers. Questions shows unrespectful:
Can I change my work schedule?
Can I skip working in the office?
Can I adjust the job responsibilities?
Why These Hurt Your Chances
These questions make it seem like you’re not fully committed to the role and recruiters will be hesitant to hire you. Starting off by requesting changes signals that you’re unwilling to adapt to the company’s needs and employers might worry that you won’t be reliable or fully engaged in the job.
Better Alternative: Ask How the Team Works to Understand Flexibility
Instead of assuming you can change job terms, ask open-ended questions that give you insight into how the company operates and whether there’s room for flexibility:
How does the team typically structure their work schedules? Is there flexibility based on project needs?
What is the company’s approach to remote work and in-office collaboration?
How do roles and responsibilities evolve over time as employees grow within the company?
Read further: Best questions to ask during an interview
Ready to Nail Your Next Interview?
Knowing what not to ask can be just as important as knowing the right things to say. Avoiding questions that show lack of preparation, focus too much on perks, or come off as unprofessional helps you stand out for the right reasons.
At Jobier, we believe that preparation and thoughtful communication are key to landing your dream job. Want more interview tips and insights to help you succeed?
Join Jobier today and let our AI-Interview Assistant help you avoid common interview mistakes and showcase your best self.
