The 5 Worst Things You Can Say During an Interview

Posted by in Career Advice




Going to an interview is a really stressful experience. If you aren't careful, you can drive yourself crazy before you even arrive. Between preparing for commonly asked question to selecting the perfect interview outfit, it's enough to push you over the edge. The key is to take a deep breath and remind yourself over and over that this is just a chance to find out more about the job opening and show the hiring manager what you have to offer. Sure, it's a high stakes game, but nothing worth having comes easily.



The most important thing you can do to keep your nerves at bay is to be prepared for the interview. First, you should have an idea of how you will answer some of the most common interview questions. Knowing what to say is important. Also, it's important to know what not to say.



Here are 5 things you shouldn't say during an interview:

 


  1. "My last boss was a jerk" - While it's important to be honest about why you left your last job, honesty doesn't equal trash-talking. Even if the reason you left your last job was because you hated your boss, don't say that during an interview. Instead, mention how the job wasn't a good fit for you and what type of job you think would work better.
  2. "What does your company do exactly?" - Before your interview, you should research the company and have a general idea of what they do. The only time it's allowable for you to not know very much about a company is if you are going to an interview where the name of the company hasn't been disclosed. However, this is rare and when it happens, it should be a red flag that the job opening may not be a legitimate one.
  3. "I'm going to need to take these days off" - We all have lives and obligations and a new employer will understand that. Perhaps you have a family vacation planned or a sister's wedding. It's happened to me that I have been out of work, made plans far in advance and then ended up getting a new job just a couple of weeks before the date. I've had to explain my situation and work out the time off. However, the time to bring this up isn't during the interview. It will only come off as presumptuous. Instead, wait until you are offered the job and are discussing start dates and so on.
  4. "Do you attend church regularly?" - Or, do you support Little League or whatever. While it's important to try to establish rapport with an interviewer, it's equally important to not pry into their personal lives. You might think that you are just showing an interest, it can come off as just plain creepy. Avoid asking personal questions about family obligations, religious affiliations or anything that strays too far from the professional realm.
  5. "You know what I really hate..." - When answering questions, be careful not to go on a rant, especially a negative one. Even if the interviewer smiles and nods, as if they agree with you, don't take it as a sign of encouragement. It's more likely to be the case that they are just nodding to see how far you will go. When you complain or rant, even if it's justified, you just come off as someone who is negative or bitter.


Hopefully, these tips will help you when you go to your next interview. If nothing else, maybe they can make you smile while you're waiting for the interviewer.








 

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  • Melissa Kennedy
    Melissa Kennedy
    Thanks for all of the really great comments. I think everyone has their favorite tip or trick for making interviews a little easier. Of course, as one commenter pointed out, you can do all of this and still not get the job. But, since you can't control the final outcome, all you can control is what you do. Put your best foot forward each time and hope for the best.
  • Ishwar
    Ishwar
    I went through a similar experience a few years ago, but luckily I found a new position before my new manager could terminate me.When looking for work I focused on my skills, my good work performance and stressed that my current company was going in a different direction -- which on some level they were.But the experience of getting pushed out can be Earth-shattering on one's confidence.  Just convince yourself that good reviews aren't just given out.
  • Stella M
    Stella M
    thanks for the tips!and i could not agree more on the issue of religion.its such a sensitive area...... how do you answer to this question "how much do you expect as salary?" because you don't want to quote an outrageous figure and yet you wouldn't want to feel underpaid!
  • Charlie m
    Charlie m
    very well spoken
  • Kevin M
    Kevin M
    I agree never bring Religion up,& for God sake stay Positive ( always)
  • Ronald E
    Ronald E
    I tend to stay business during an interview and I don`t have any questions because doing my home work before the interview is more important for two reasons to find out if I can do the job and to see if I can be beneficial to the co.
  • Sara R
    Sara R
    This was very useful, I have been searching for a job for about the past 3 months & its been a long road. I've literally been on at least 12 interviews that I can count! I knew never to be negative but reading through this did help, thanks!!
  • Patrick T
    Patrick T
    When I say that there are days and hours that I need off, either, on the application or in an interview. I'm being up front and honest instead of coming off as if I am lying.
  • Adegbolu A
    Adegbolu A
    Thanks it really helps but I need to build my resume fast
  • Randi W
    Randi W
    What is a good answer when they ask what is your weakest trait?  I am never comfortable with this question.  Great article though,  Helps with the worst part of finding a job.
  • Brianna B
    Brianna B
    I find interviewers to be awfully free to ask personal questions which makes me uncomfortable. I try to steer the conversation back to the opportunity but it does not always work.  
  • kamile m
    kamile m
    Thank you so much these 5  tips  help help me it has broaden my vocabulary too
  • Andrew J. P.
    Andrew J. P.
    I found these five comments to make great sence. It never pays to mix your personal life and veiws with your work or  buisness life.
  • Debra R
    Debra R
    I maybe somewhat guilty of this one. I was not happy with the company and after 12 years it grew. I really liked the people I worked with but management was over the top with spending. While in the mean time the worker bees were getting laid off Quarterly.  Reduction of work force. Best and worse day of my life
  • Shahzad M
    Shahzad M
    I agree with Debra.But the tips are good and still so many job seekers do the said mistakes during interview.Intelligent people never do these mistakes believe me
  • modeste b
    modeste b
    It is a very good article to help everyone to do a perfect interview. I like this, fantastic and wonderful for my firt time to meet the article of this kind can allow me to be able understand what to say and don't try in interview.
  • Debra R
    Debra R
    Preparation is always a must, however, if the interviewer does not like you or feel that you are a good fit for his/her company, it doesn't matter how much you've prepared, you still may not get the job.  However, don't let that stop you.

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