Don’t ask: How much will I be paid? Are there any benefits? How much time do I get off?
Don’t bring up things such as your salary, benefits, and paid vacation time until you have been offered the position. The only time it’s appropriate to talk about these things is if your employer brings it up. (And in many cases you should have a sense of the salary range of the position from the official job posting.) This makes it sound like you think you already have the job, which can turn your employer off. Here are key words and phrases you should always say in a job interview.
Don’t ask: Can I adjust my hours to leave early or come in late?
Asking this question—especially early in the interviewing process—makes your employer believe that you are going to put your own needs ahead of the companies. Your boss most likely understands the importance of work-life balance, but don’t outright say, “I need to leave early to pick up my kid from daycare.” Try subtly working facts about your life into your conversation with your employer instead. (Wanna laugh? Check out these dumb real-life job applicants.)
