Questions to Avoid (Until the Offer)

While it's important to ask questions, there are certain topics that are best not to broach during the early stages of the interview, as they may give the wrong impression or seem premature.

These topics are usually related to compensation and personal benefits.

Salary, benefits, vacation, flexible schedule (Unless initiated by the interviewer).

Avoid asking directly about:

• Salary: "What is the salary for this position?".
• Benefits: "What kind of health insurance do you offer?" or "Is there a pension plan?".
• Vacation: "How many vacation days will I get?
• Flextime or telecommuting: "Can I flex my schedule?" or "Is working from home allowed?".
• Use of social networks: "Can I use social networks at work?

Asking about these topics too soon can give the impression that your primary motivation is money or benefits, rather than the position itself or the opportunity to contribute to the company.

The exception is if the interviewer initiates the conversation on any of these points.

When it is appropriate to ask about these topics

The right time to discuss salary, benefits and other working conditions in detail is once you have been made a formal job offer.

At that point, the company has already decided it wants to hire you, and the conversation shifts to negotiating terms and conditions.

Asking questions at that stage is completely normal and expected.

Summary

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