Former Google HR reveals what you should never ask in a job interview

In 2024, work-life balance is no longer considered to be a luxury. It is, instead, a priority for many workers and people tend to go prefer jobs that offer flexibility. Some studies have even shown that if give the choice, people will opt for a job that gives better work-life balance when compared to one that offers more money. Now, having a discussion about work-life balance during a job interview might seem justified to many employees. But according to a former Google employee, this might not be a good idea.

Nolan Church, a former Google recruiter and now CEO of the salary data company FairComp, told CNBC make it that when you're interviewing for a job, it's important to ask questions that show your prospective employer that you're eager to succeed and help you figure out if the job is truly right for you.

He suggested asking questions like, "What is the company’s main focus for the next 12 months?" and "What traits do your top performers share?" He said that these types of questions demonstrate your commitment to helping the company grow while giving you insight into what it's like to work there.

He also advised people against asking questions regarding work-life balance. Hence, according to him, people must avoid asking questions like "How does your company support work-life balance". He added that asking this during the interview can send the wrong message.

Church also explained that this question suggests you might be more concerned with avoiding hard work. Rather than focusing on the company's mission or how you can contribute to its success, you're essentially asking about the length of the workday. "It's a red flag," he said.