July 24, 2014
How to create a bad impression with no effort at all.
By Cynthia M Piccolo for BioSpace.com
Here is a list of some actual questions that people ask which create a negative impression (especially during a first interview or before mutual interest is established). We have included a list of thoughts that may run through the interviewer’s head to help illustrate why the question is not a good idea.
| If the candidate asks ? | The interviewer might think ? |
| 1. How much sick time is there? | Do you have an underlying medical problem? Will we ever see you on the unit? Is that why you left your last job? |
| 2. How quickly can I become the charge person? | You think highly of yourself. |
| 3. How soon can I take vacation? | Is this person really interested in working? Perhaps you should take a vacation before beginning work. |
| 4. Do you check references from every place I’ve worked? | You’ve been working for many years and in many, many different places? You have something questionable in your background? |
| 5. I have a felony conviction. Is this a problem? | Hmm. He or she is sitting between me and the door. Just one? And the felony was...? |
| 6. What happens if I leave before I’ve completed my contract? | You mean, you’ve done this before? You mean, you’re planning to do this? |
| 7. Any question about money—if it’s the first question out of your mouth. | “Ask not what your country can do for you.” They’ll leave at the first sign of an extra penny elsewhere. It might have been nice if they’d asked about continuing education opportunities first. |
| 8. Do I have to work on weekends? | No, we close the hospital on weekends so everyone can do more interesting things than look after sick people. |
Check out the latest Career Insider eNewsletter - July 24, 2014.
