Almost every interviewer will ask if you have any questions towards the end of your job interview. Like it or not, the questions you ask matter just as much as your answers before the tables turned. Each question you ask reflects on your interest in the position you applied for, knowledge of the company, and attitude.

The good questions are obvious, such as “When can I expect to hear from you?” or “What are some of the challenges I might face in this role?” But the turn-off questions aren’t always easy to distinguish. It might seem innocuous enough for you, but it may raise a red flag to your interviewer.

Below are some questions you should never ask an interviewer, and a short explanation on why you shouldn’t ask these questions.

“Is there a downtime for this job?”

This question makes you look lazy, as if you will only do the bare minimum work required or you might quit when things get hectic.

“Can I leave early or arrive late, as long as I render the required number of hours?”

You may be looking for a flexible schedule because you have family responsibilities or other important errands, but these concerns aren’t as important to an employer. Asking to come in late gives the impression that you’re unreliable, and that you value your own needs over the company’s goals.

“How often are employees reviewed?”

You may be looking for a raise or promotion, but a suspicious interviewer may see this as fear of critique. Avoid this question until you’re negotiating the job offer.

“Did I get the job?”

Asking this question puts your interviewer on the spot. It’s also presumptuous. Ask about the next steps of the hiring process instead.

For instance, you can ask, “When can I expect to hear back from you?” or “Do you have other candidates to interview?”

“Will you review my social media profiles?”

Yes, the interviewer or someone in the HR team will likely check your social media profiles. It’s better to assume this instead of asking them directly. The interviewer will think you have something to hide, so he might flag your profile for a thorough check of your profile and timeline.

“How long will I have to wait to earn a promotion?”
This is another presumptuous question you shouldn’t ask. Asking about a promotion when you haven’t even started working also shows that you’re not 100% interested in the job, you’re just waiting for a better opportunity.

Interest in getting promoted is not bad per se, just be careful how you say it. Ask about available training opportunities and career opportunities for your position instead, not how long it would take to get to those positions.

“Can I work from home?”

Remote, telecommuting or work at home opportunities are advertised as such, so if the job you applied for doesn’t mention it, that means working from home isn’t really an option. Asking about a work at home arrangement, when it’s not clearly offered, shows an unwillingness to collaborate with a team.

Prepare for an Interview

Need more tips to prepare for a job interview? Here’s how you can avoid pre-interview jitters and look more confident during the interview using your body language.