Everyone gets a little nervous before an interview and nobody wants to stand out for the wrong reasons.
You might wonder if there is anything you could possibly say to absolutely kill your chances at an offer. To avoid throwing out red flags, here is a list of things you should avoid saying to your interviewer.
1. “I didn’t like my previous job because….”
You could work for a universally hated organization, but that doesn’t mean you need to focus on it. Never speak poorly about your former employer. Even if you’re right, it doesn’t deliver a good impression. Don’t give the interviewer a reason to believe you’ll be a negative presence in the company.
2. “I want your job.”
They might inquire about your long-term objectives or ask, “Where do you see yourself in five years?” They’ll want to understand where you envision yourself in the future. PRO TIP: Don’t tell the hiring manager that you’re trying to take over their job. It happens more often than you think.
3. “What does your company do?”
If a recruiter is calling you up, this is a great time to ask these sorts of questions. Once you’ve made it past the phone screening and you’re speaking to management, you should’ve done your research. This is a surefire way to ensure you’re not getting the job because the hiring manager will assume you’re unprepared and unenthusiastic about the company.
4. “I don’t know.”
This isn’t the worst answer, but it’s not a great one. You should avoid saying “I don’t know” to questions about your future career goals, your reasoning for applying and your motivation for joining the company. When faced with a question you’re not sure how to respond to, take a moment to consider what details the interviewer might want you to share. Speaking your thoughts out loud might also help you digest difficult questions.
5.”&#%!@?”
It’s not a good idea not to swear in an interview… even if it’s in a casual (not so-professional) environment. Keep it PG during the interview process as you don’t want anything held against you.
6. “I’ve been switching jobs because I haven’t found the right fit/I’m not challenged enough”
This will prompt the interviewer to ask themselves, ‘Why would this role be any different?’
Hiring managers are afraid of hiring job-hoppers. Don’t give them a reason to fret unless they ask about specific job gaps.
7. “I’m nervous”
Don’t call attention to it. This is one of those instances where you want to “fake it till ya make it.”
8. “I don’t have much experience in this, but…”
An interview is not the time to be humble. The problem is that when you apologize for lack of experience, you’re essentially saying that you’re not a good hire. You don’t want them to think that you’re not quite the right fit for the role, or that you’d be starting from scratch. Don’t undermine your experience.
At the end of the day, interviewing is tough and nobody is perfect. It always helps to practice a bit before your interview to make sure you don’t slip up.