It’s true, there are no such things as silly questions, but despite your excellent efforts during the interview, certain subjects could prove risky!

We don’t recommend the following:

GENERAL COMPANY INFORMATION
If you haven’t looked for information about the company before the interview, now is not the time to do it. You can get details prior to the interview in the press, on social networks or on the website, but don’t take the risk of asking for it in an interview. However, to show your interest, nothing prevents you from referring to or bouncing back on company news that you have seen recently.

Similarly, for the company’s values, if you ask the recruiter about such essential points when they appear, at length, on the website, the recruiter will deduce a lack of preparation, curiosity and commitment on your part.

PERSONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RECRUITER
This concerns questions about the recruiter, but also about the team or the reputation of the manager. If the person you are talking to may appreciate your curiosity about their career with the company, they will no doubt be less interested in questions about their marital status. It is important to keep the right distance.

Yet again, use the information you can find on the internet. The person you’re talking to went to the same school as you did, you have mutual relationships on LinkedIn, they have been quoted in the press or recommended by an acquaintance? Highlight this valuable knowledge in a subtle manner.

QUESTIONS ABOUT PAY
There is nothing wrong with talking about earnings. On the contrary, it is a question that must be asked. However, it is always preferable not to mention it during the first interview unless the recruiter raises the subject.

Beforehand, prepare yourself and think about how much you could expect, depending on the position, your experience, the market and the company’s sector of activity.

We still advise you to wait until a second interview to discuss this. The same applies to all requests concerning working hours, holidays, health insurance, bonuses and other benefits. Even if all this information is important, avoid spending the opening minutes of the first interview finding out whether Whit Monday is a working day. You’ll have plenty of time to discuss all these details in subsequent interviews.