Life, the universe, and Windows - most likely users’ errors

Questions your interviewer may not want to hear

Job interview has changed dramatically in the past few years; as a matter of fact it has evolved. Job interview is no longer a work of art; it’s a work of science. I remember when I came to America in 1999, my interview at Win-Dixie was simply a business meeting where I expressed my interests in the job and what I can do for the company. Nowadays, not only you are required to perform excellent (anything else is mere garbage considering the current economic slowdown) at the job interview, but you are also required to perform additional computer tests at the company’s discretion.

These computerized tests are drafted by computer science professional who holds PhD in psychology and the tests are nothing more but a bunch of predetermined questions that come with a boat load of predetermined answers; all of which are made to find out if you are a good “fit” for the company. Worse, most companies even use the same algorithm from the computerized tests in their interview questions. What does this mean in plain English is that most of your questions and answers, and probably all of them will be evaluated not only by a human being, but also by a stupid computer.

I do not discourage you on asking questions at the interview, I only suggest you to not ask the wrong questions. Nervously enough, you are making conversation with your interviewer, a person who you never met in your life, should you not only speak your language but also theirs?

So please be intelligent at the interview (unless you aren’t), but also be smart, you are playing their computer games now. If you have to ask the following questions, think twice before doing so:

1) How many days off do I have?

This may sound like a valid question since it is related to the benefit section. However, your hiring manager may think you like to stay home more than to stay at work. Especially when interviewing for busy call center job such as Technical Support Rep or Phone Support Rep that requires 24/7/365 availability of all its operation, this question will really push you off the cliff.

2) How much do I get paid?

The validity of this question will appear bolder when you propose the question later on in the interview. Imagine asking this question right in the beginning of the conversation, you will appear no more than a blood sucking money will do anything for money corporate white collar.

** More questions coming up tomorrow -

** If you think this post has spelling and grammar errors, try this draft below

job_interview_do_not_ask.