Even professional recruiters experience dreadful interviews from time to time. If you want to make a positive impression in an interview, then there are plenty of things that you should never say or do. For instance, some candidates try everything from excessive flattery to lying about projects they’ve worked on to try and make themselves stand out. It might work for some people, but it’s better to stand out in this industry by sharing your soft skills, empathy, and emotional intelligence. Let’s review some of the most common questions that give recruiters a lousy impression of candidates.

  1. How much will I get paid? It’s not a stupid question, but there is a right and wrong time to discuss pay and benefits. Unless the interviewer brings it up first, it’s best to wait until after an offer has been made to discuss salary, paid-time-off, etc. If the topic does come up, show your willingness to negotiate by providing them with a range based on your experience and regional salary trends.

  2. Do you conduct background checks during the hiring process? Recruiters will wonder what you are trying to hide. Checking references and credential checks are standard operating procedures for most companies today. Remember that a growing number of employers are using social media to screen candidates now, too, so it’s essential to maintain a professional image online and offline.

  3. Can I arrive late or leave early? This question gives off the impression that you could be challenging to manage, and if it comes down to you and another candidate that doesn’t ask a question like this, most recruiters will choose the easier one to work with.

Employers use interviews to discover what you’re like to work with, how eager you are to learn and grow with the organization, and how much initiative you have. Here is another hint: recruiters want you to ask insightful questions because it helps show them your thinking approach. Then, you can leverage their answers to collect important information about the employer, such as the work culture and examples of how the company recognizes successful employees.

https://hbr.org/2019/07/3-questions-hiring-managers-want-you-to-answer

https://www.themuse.com/advice/10-interview-questions-you-should-never-ask-and-5-you-always-should

 https://www.job-hunt.org/job_interviews/avoid-asking-bad-questions.shtml

https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackfriedman/2019/01/10/job-interview-questions/?sh=2c06a3f95ddc

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