Free cheat sheet · from
What not to ask in an interview, and what to ask instead
Not wrong questions. Wrong person, wrong time. Here’s what to say instead in your early rounds.
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Don’t ask this. Ask this instead.
Don’t ask | Ask instead |
Salary (to the hiring manager, in early rounds) | Ask HR, or after you get the offer. In campus placements, CTC is usually disclosed upfront. |
Leave and work from home policies | Ask HR, or once you have the offer. Lead with interest in the work first. |
“When will I get promoted?” | “What did people who grew fast in this role do differently?” Same information, and it shows ambition. |
“Do you have any hesitation in moving me forward?” | “Is there anything about my experience you’d like me to explain better?” |
“How did I do?” or “Am I selected?” | Don’t ask. Ask HR: “What’s the timeline for a decision, and what are the next steps?” |
Anything a quick Google search could answer, like “What does your company do?” | Do the research first, then go one level deeper: “I read about X. How does that affect this team?” |
The worst answer of all
“No, I don’t have any questions.”
It signals zero curiosity, and curiosity is the first thing I look for in a candidate. If your questions were already answered, pick something they said and ask them to go one level deeper.
About DefineCareer
Free career guidance by Sagar Gulati, Managing Partner at a Global MNC
Practical videos, cheat sheets and workshops on picking the right job, cracking interviews and growing after you join. Built from 10 years in the US and 1,000+ interviews, and taught at 180+ colleges.
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