Questions to Avoid at the End of a Job Interview

Questions To Avoid At The End Of A Job Interview
Have you ever thought you aced an interview only to never hear back from the company? It may have been something you said. Here are some questions career experts say you should avoid asking when you're trying to get hired.
"What Exactly Does Your Company Do?"
Inexperienced job seekers tend to ask this question, but they should learn everything they can about the company before the interview. "If a candidate has thoroughly researched the company before a meeting, the questions should focus not on the company, but on the specific position," says career management coach Marti Benjamin.
"As a career coach, I advise interviewees to focus their end-of-interview questions on the hiring manager's priorities for the position, the greatest challenges expected in the position and what it would take to be viewed as a superstar in the position," she says. These questions show the interviewee's interest in being a good fit for the job.
Elle Kaplan, CEO and founding partner of New York-based investment firm Lexion Capital Management, also says interviewees should always be familiar with the company. "I can tell who has read the articles about my company and who has not. It is not something you can fudge and it weighs heavily when considering new hires," she says.
"What Happened to the Last Person?"
Some career experts recommend asking this question as a way to learn more about whether you're likely to run out of the building screaming after you've been working there for a month, but just as many experts say you should steer clear of it.
"This could bring up negative feelings that can get linked to you," says Ronald Kaufman, executive coach and author of the book "Anatomy of Success."
"What if the last person got promoted over the interviewer? What if the last person was fired and there's bad blood between them or possibly a lawsuit?"
Similarly, Kaufman recommends that interviewees avoid asking how the interviewer got his or her position with the company. This question is too personal and could put the interviewer on the defensive, he says.
"When Can We Start a Salary Negotiation?"
Candidates should focus on the opportunity, not the money, during the interview process. "Bringing up the money issue could indicate to the hiring manager that this person is only interested in dollars rather than helping this business be the best it can be," says Murshed Chowdhury, CEO of specialized staffing firm Infusive Solutions in New York. Chowdhury also says if the hiring manager thinks you're focused mostly on the money, he or she might be concerned that you'll jump at the next opportunity that comes along and leave the company with another costly and time-consuming recruiting effort.
"If you get a post-interview offer you will find out exactly how much you are getting paid, so avoid putting the cart before the horse and start out by first getting an offer," says Zachary Rose, CEO and founder of Green Education Services, a green jobs training firm in New York City.
Did I Get the Job?
Finally, don't ask overly eager questions. "If the employer wants to hire you, he or she will contact you," says Amit De, CEO and co-founder of CareerLeaf, a platform that helps job seekers search for jobs. "These questions come off as pushy and impatient, which are two qualities most employers are not looking for."

The Bottom Line
The questions you ask during an interview represent more than just a chance for you to gather information about the company and the position. They're also an opportunity for the interviewer to judge whether you're the right fit for the job. Ask the wrong things and you could ruin an otherwise great interview.
4 Essential Questions To Ask At The End Of A Job Interview
"I am always surprised how some interviewees tend to trail off towards the end of an interview instead of finishing strong and leaving a lasting impression," says Zachary Rose, CEO and founder of Green Education Services, a green jobs training firm in New York City. Whether you're a senior preparing for campus recruiting or a recent graduate still hunting for a job, here are the top questions experts recommend asking at the end of a job interview to leave a great final impression on hiring managers and establish yourself as a top candidate.

"Is There Any Reason Why You Wouldn't Hire Me?"
Kelsey Meyer, senior vice president of Digital Talent Agents in Columbia, Mo., says, "A recent candidate asked, 'If you were to not offer the job to me, what would be the reason?' This was extremely straightforward and a little blunt, but it allowed me to communicate any hesitations I had about the candidate before he left the interview, and he could address them right there."

"This one question is something I would suggest every single candidate ask," adds Meyer. It lets you know where you stand and if you need to clarify anything for the interviewer. "If you have the guts to ask it, I don't think you'll regret it," she says.
Rachel Dotson, content manager for ZipRecruiter.com, says, "All too often you hear about candidates leaving an interview and thinking they aced it, only to get a swift rejection email soon after. Take the time while you're face-to-face to ask about and dispel any doubts that the hiring manager has." Make sure a key asset of yours hasn't been overlooked.

"As an Employee, How Could I Exceed Your Expectations?"
Michael B. Junge, a staffing and recruiting industry leader with Irvine Technology Corp. in Santa Ana, Calif., and author of "Purple Squirrel: Stand Out, Land Interviews, and Master the Modern Job Market," says that one of his favorite interview questions is when a candidate takes the lead and asks, "If I were offered this position and joined your company, how would you measure my success and what could I do to exceed your expectations?"

"The question shows confidence without being overly brash, while also demonstrating that you have an interest in delivering positive results," Junge adds. What's more, the answer you receive can reveal what the interviewer hopes to accomplish by making a new hire, and this information can help you determine whether to accept the position if you get an offer.

"How Could I Help Your Company Meet Its Goals?"
Dotson also suggests job candidates ask the interviewer, "How does this position fit in with the short- and long-term goals of the company?" The response to the short-term side of the question gives you further insight into your potential role and helps you tailor the remainder of the discussion and your interview follow-up, she says. "Second, by bringing up long-term goals, you are telling the hiring manager that you're there for the long-run, not just another new grad that is going to follow suit with her peers and job-hop every six months," Dotson says.

Junge also recommends that interviewees ask, "What challenges have other new hires faced when starting in similar roles, and what could I do to put myself in a better position to succeed?" He says few students or new grads will ask this question because most haven't witnessed failure. To a hiring manager, this question demonstrates maturity and awareness, and if you're hired, the answers can help you avoid the pitfalls of being new.
"What Excites You About Coming into Work?"
Murshed Chowdhury, CEO of Infusive Solutions, a specialized staffing firm in New York City, suggests that candidates ask the interviewer, "What excites you about coming into work every day?"

"This is a role reversal question that we often suggest candidates ask," he says. People love the opportunity to talk about themselves, so this question provides an excellent chance to learn about the hiring manager and find ways to establish common ground. "This is also a great opportunity for the candidate to determine whether he/she is excited by the same things that excite the hiring manager to see if the culture is a good fit," Chowdhury adds.

The Bottom Line
Although it is important to provide a great first impression to a potential employer, as well as acing the basics of a job interview, closing the interview strong is just as important.

"Prove to your interviewer that you want this position and you are in this for the right reasons, not simply to fill your day with something to do," Rose says. Ask these questions before you leave, and leave your potential new employer with a great impression.