The Best and Worst Questions To Ask During Your Next Job Interview

The best ﴾and worst﴿ questions to ask during your next
job interview
Erica Corbin 1 day ago
© ferrantraite / Getty Images professional woman conducting job interview
Job interviews are stressful. Between researching the company, picking

the right outfit and getting to the building on time, there’s a lot to
potential employer’s tricky questions is no easy task. So, it makes

sense that you’d breathe a sigh of relief when the interview starts to
wrap up.
Don’t let your guard down just yet! You’re still being tested. Before
you go, you need to ask your interviewer some thoughtful questions
to show that you’re invested in the role. Here are the best questions to
ask in an interview, as well as ones to avoid — unless, of course, you
want to be added to the dreaded list of interview horror stories.
Do Ask: What Is the Company’s Culture Like?

One of the easiest questions to ask in a job interview is about the
company’s culture. Getting to know a potential work environment is
important in determining if you’ll be comfortable there and gauging
expectations. If you’re applying to a zany startup that serves beer and
chicken wings every Friday and expects you to come on its annual trip
to PJ’s Petting Zoo, well, that would be good to know — especially if
you’re allergic to barnyard animals. If it’s a more reserved workplace
that values professionalism above all else, that’s also worth knowing.
Don’t Ask: Can I Have a Flexible Schedule or Work
From Home?
Though it’s tempting to discuss work arrangements — especially if you
have children or other important commitments — this is not a
question to ask your interviewer. By doing so, you’re sending the
message that you’re unable to meet the demands of the job,
especially if the job description has already listed the position’s hours.
If the interview goes well and you move on to the next stages of the
hiring process, you can consider bringing up work arrangements with
a recruiter or the hiring manager. That’s also the time to address any
days you need off due to a previously planned vacation.
Do Ask: What Direction Is the Company Headed in

the Next 5 to 10 Years?
A good question to ask in an interview is about the company’s short‐
and long‐term growth plans. It shows your potential employer that
you have a strong interest in being part of the company. This question
could also reveal whether or not there are opportunities for growth,
which is valuable information for you to have.
Don’t Ask: How Soon Do People Get Promoted?

If you want to improve your chances of getting hired, asking how soon
you’re likely to get a raise isn’t a good route. It projects a sense of
entitlement that could be off‐putting to an employer. A better job
expectations for the role. If you receive this information upfront, you’ll
know whether you’re meeting or exceeding the company’s
expectations after you’ve worked there for a while. You can then use
that knowledge as a yardstick for any performance evaluations or
promotion talks later on.
Questions to Ask ﴾And Not Ask﴿ in a Job Interview
h 00:27 01:01 i ĳ CC HQ g
Do Ask: Do Certain Personalities Succeed at the
Company Over Others?
Some companies like extroverts or people who aren’t afraid to speak
up and brainstorm aloud. Others value introspective, studious folks
who just want to keep their heads down and work. And, though most
companies tend to be a mixture of personalities, it’s worth finding out
if a certain type tends to succeed over others. If you’re an introverted
person who likes your alone time, you might not want to work at a
company that only promotes social butterflies.
Don’t Ask: What Will My Salary Be?

It’s extremely important to negotiate your starting salary. However,
that’s not an appropriate question to ask an interviewer. You’ll want to
save the discussion about salary for later in the hiring process — like
when an offer is being made — as that’s usually when you’ll do any
negotiating. Plus, your interviewer might not actually know the answer.
Talk about awkward.
Do Ask: What Is Your Favorite Part About Working

at the Company?
A good question to ask at the end of an interview is what your
interviewer thinks of the company. By asking about their favorite
aspect of working there, you’ll get insight into the culture and
demands of the job. If their favorite thing, for example, is the free
LaCroix in the company fridge, that’s probably a bad sign.
Don’t Ask: How Did the Company Start?

You don’t want to ask about the company’s origin story, competitors,
products or anything else that you could — and should — have
already researched. You’ll only come off as unprepared. In fact, you’ll
want to research ahead of time so that you’re able to identify any
strengths or weaknesses the company might have. By doing this, you’ll
be ready to talk about them should the interviewer ask.

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The best ﴾and worst﴿ questions to ask during your next

© ferrantraite / Getty Images professional woman conducting job interview

Job interviews are stressful. Between researching the company, picking

potential employer’s tricky questions is no easy task. So, it makes

Do Ask: What Is the Company’s Culture Like?

Do Ask: What Direction Is the Company Headed in

Don’t Ask: How Soon Do People Get Promoted?

Don’t Ask: What Will My Salary Be?

Do Ask: What Is Your Favorite Part About Working

Don’t Ask: How Did the Company Start?

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