‘Will This Salary Be Over Or Under the Table?’ And Other Questions Not To Ask On Your Next Job Interview

Job interviews can be tough. First, a stranger from Human Resources asks you dozens of questions about your work experience. Then she asks you if you have any questions.

It can be tempting to blurt out the first thing that comes to mind, like, “What should I eat for lunch today?” or, “Do you think my ex-boyfriend misses me?” But these questions won’t help you land your dream role.

The point of the questions you ask at the end of the interview is to make the interviewer feel weak, powerless, and afraid.

With that in mind, here are some questions not to ask at your next job interview:

• Will this salary be over or under the table?

While this question is one everyone wants the answer to, it’s very rare for companies to pay salaries under the table these days, and it might make it seem like your work experience has mostly been illegal.

• What kinds of pranks do people in this office pull?

Don’t assume that every office has a prank-heavy culture. If you’re interviewing at a company that does not hilariously swap out nut-free snacks for nut medleys, the interviewer might assume you will endanger lives and not be a team player.

• Do you drug test?

While this answer is incredibly helpful to know, it can also make the interviewer wonder if you do drugs, and, if so, if you’ll share them or hog them at work. It’s better to feel this out after you start working, and also cultivate a friendship with someone who has clean urine.

• Who is the biggest office bully? What are his/her hidden weaknesses?

While this answer is also helpful to know, it might make you seem weak and/or like a tattle tale.