🛑 Stop Asking These Questions!

PATH TO CAREER SUCCESS
Canadian Job Interviews 🛑 Stop Asking These Questions!

The questions asked at the end of an interview, can make you stand out, either in a positive or negative light. Below, we cover what questions to avoid and what to ask instead. 

❌ Don't Ask About Benefits, Pay, and Vacation Entitlements

• Why? Inquiring about these too early in the interview process may convey a focus on financial gain rather than genuine interest in the role and company culture. 

• Instead, ask something like: "Can you tell me more about the day-to-day responsibilities of this position?"

❌ Don't Ask About the Interviewer's Personal Opinion About Working at the Company

• Why? Directly asking this may seem overly familiar or unprofessional.

• Instead, ask something like: "How would you describe the company culture and values?" 

❌ Don't Ask About Promotion Timelines

• Why? Early inquiries about advancement may suggest a lack of focus on immediate responsibilities.

• Instead, ask something like: "What are the company's short-term and long-term goals, and how does this position contribute to achieving them?"

Remember, approaching each interview with confidence, preparedness, and genuine curiosity is key. Be proactive in understanding the company's goals and aligning your ambitions with theirs.

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Q: What can candidates do to prepare meaningful questions in advance?

A:  Thoroughly researching the company goes beyond a mere pre-interview checklist; it's a vital step in showcasing your genuine interest and readiness for the role. Here's how to prepare:

• Stay updated on recent company news offers crucial insights into its current status, future trajectory, and recent accomplishments or hurdles.

• Tailor your questions to fit the specific role and company showcases your diligence and authentic curiosity about how your expertise aligns with the organization's objectives and needs.

• Seek out employee testimonials, reviews on platforms like Glassdoor, or LinkedIn. This information can help you tailor your questions to address specific concerns or interests related to the employee experience.

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LEARN THE LINGO
✅ 3 Phrases to Sound More Confident 

Communicating confidently in a new work environment can be difficult. Maybe you come from a background where humility is valued and assertive communication comes off as boastful. Maybe you have been comparing yourself unfavourably to others and have a lack of confidence in your own ideas.

Here are 3 phrases that will not only help you sound more confident, but will ensure the fluidity of conversations and protect the integrity of your professional relationships.

Sharing Ideas in Meetings:

❌ "Maybe we could try this?"

✅One idea I have is…

💡Phrasing the suggestion as a question instead of a statement could potentially undermine the idea. Instead, start with "One idea I have is" to assert ownership and communicate confidence in its value. The idea is that your phrase is clear, gets straight to the point, and avoids unnecessary filler words.

Saying “No” Respectfully and Confidently:

❌ “I’m sorry – I’m already so busy.”

✅Currently, my focus is on [existing priority], so I'm unable to take on additional responsibilities at this time.

💡Over-apologizing can make the refusal seem insincere. Also, providing too much unnecessary explanation ("I'm already really busy...") can weaken the response. Instead, provide a clear and respectful reason for declining by stating that your focus is on an existing priority.

Seeking Feedback:

❌ “Um, I have an idea. I’m not sure if it’s very good.”

✅I have an idea that I believe could be beneficial. I'm interested in hearing everyone's thoughts and suggestions to enhance it further.

💡Prefacing the idea with a self-deprecating comment ("it's probably not very good") lowers the perceived value of the contribution. Starting with "I have an idea that I believe could be beneficial" asserts confidence in the value of the idea being presented. It communicates belief in the potential of the idea and invites others to contribute constructively.

Remember: no matter where you are on your career journey – your time, your perspective, and your ideas have value. Different points of view are needed to move projects forward and boundaries must be set to preserve relationships. Not only does communicating confidently, respectfully, and clearly benefit you, it benefits the teams as a whole by reducing friction in communication. 

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