10 questions that’ll kill your interview
27/06/2023
10 questions that’ll kill your interview
You’ve applied for a job that tickles your fancy. The company likes the look of your CV. They invite you in for an interview. Everything’s going swell. That is, of course, until you ask one of these killer questions.
If you want to keep your good fortune flowing and land that coveted call centre position, then make sure you don’t reel off any of these 10 questions during the interview...
1. What happens if you don’t hit targets?
This just makes you look like you already don’t have confidence in your abilities, and your interview is all about demonstrating the exact opposite. This kind of detail can be found out on the job.
2. Do you offer incentives?
Your interviewers want to see that you’re keen and enthusiastic about helping the business, not that you’re already thinking about what else they’ll give you.
3. Who are your main competitors?
If you don’t know this by the time you turn up to the interview, you haven’t done your prep right. Asking this will make you look unprepared, which may lead the interviewers to question your genuine interest in the role.
4. What does the company do?
Again, this just screams lack of research. Interviews are your time to impress, and dropping in comments about the company and their competition should form part of this.
5. What’s your policy when it comes to annual leave requests?
Yes, knowing the company’s policy is important, but not too early on. It can make you come across as though you’re more interested in the perks and vacations than the role itself.
If you’re asking because you’ve already got a holiday booked, just drop this in instead, and ask them if it would be a problem if, hypothetically speaking, you got the job.
6. Are you quite strict on start times?
Always assume yes. No business wants their employees strolling in as and when they feel like it, and in call centres especially, ratios are really important.
7. Will I be expected to do overtime?
This can only come across negative. It’ll make you look like you’re not willing to go the extra mile and that you’re just there to do the bare minimum - not exactly traits employers actively look for.
8. Can I work from home?
If this was an option, it’d be in the job description. It’s not necessarily a terrible question to ask if you have good reason for wanting to work from home, but it’s just perhaps not first interview material.
Assuming you get the job, if you can, it’s probably best to wait until you’ve bedded into the business and have a better understanding of their stance on this kind of thing.
9. How long does it normally take to get promoted?
Although this might be a seemingly innocent question with the bigger picture in mind, it might leave the other side of the table thinking you’re not actually interested in the role you’re applying for.
Instead, consider asking something along the lines of “What are the growth opportunities at the company like?”.
10. What salary will I be on?
This isn’t a first interview question. If it comes up naturally and it’s instigated by the interviewer then yes, explore it, but if not, it’s best to wait until the second interview (if there is one) or when you’re offered the job.
Want to put your interview skills to the test? If you’re on the lookout for new and exciting call centre opportunities, check out our current vacancies!.