Job searching is not a cakewalk. In fact, several reports have found that 73 percent of job seekers feel it is one of the stressful tasks in their life. Undoubtedly, the interviewing procedure is quite possibly the most stressful part of the whole job search process. If you are searching for a job, here are a few things not to say in a job interview.
Nothing skyrockets the nerves like meeting interviewers and understanding your future career is hanging in the balance of a 30-minute conversation. Simple statements, phrases, and even queries can leave the interviewers question as a candidate. Do not let communication mishaps with your interviewer lose the chance of getting a great job.
Things not to say in a Job Interview
Sorry, I am nervous
It is quite normal to be nervous while attending an interview. But sharing it with your interviewers is not a great thing. It is one of the most important things not to say in a job interview. Instead, focus on being confident. Nobody wants to hire a person who lacks confidence. Flattery won’t win over the interviewers when it is focused on what they wear while coming for an interview. Potentially, it could be regarded as fake. If you want to share a compliment with your interviewers, you must focus on something related to the organization’s work that you admire and can talk about with ease.
I can do everything. I just need this job
You may be excited about getting a job, but desperation is not going to help you. Instead, you should share with your interviewers why you think that you are the right fit for the position. This could be anything related to your experience, skills, or even your personality.
I consider my perfectionism as my greatest weakness
As far as sharing the strengths and weaknesses are concerned, you should avoid these standard responses. It would be hard for the interviewers to believe this as they may consider as dishonest. An answer like this also won’t give any idea about your personality or working style to the interviewer. For instance, choose a weakness that is a strength in disguise or something you are working on actively or enhancing and have solid proof you can share with the interviewers.
My ideas helped the campaign attain maximum ROI
Interviewers won’t believe jargon or buzzwords. If an interviewer finds your answers are filled with these kinds of phrases, it means you are not giving them a solid example of your work. It is better to give more descriptive explanations when you share the best part of your work. One of the best examples would be to share the research that you had done to establish your campaign and receive high ROI.
I don’t have any idea
One of the major things not to stay in a job interview is never to say you do not know. This kind of reply is an easy slip-up. If you really don’t have any idea about the question asked by the interviewer then, spend some moment collecting your ideas. If nothing strikes your mind, let the interviewers know that you will get back to them in some time. Always keep in mind that it is not necessary to give the right answer in a situational interview. These questions are mostly about sharing your thought procedure and personality.
I did not get along well with my boss
You do not want to speak anything negative about anyone with whom you have worked in the past. Even if a previous manager could put the characters to shame, your interviewer is not aware of this and could think that you are the difficult one to work in a team.
It is mentioned on my resume
Here is the thing; I know it’s mentioned on your resume, but if I am asking you about a specific experience or job, I want you to explain it using more than a word. I am calculating your social and communication skills. Are you fluent? Should you face clients or are you someone who should be hidden in the basement? Says, experts. If a recruiter during the interview asks you about a certain skill, then do not ask him or her to refer your resume, and instead use it as an important moment where you can shine.
I believe in thinking outside the box
This is one of the most important things not to say in a job interview. Using buzzwords create many doubts in the mind of a hiring manager, and similarly, using clichés in an interview will not help you to reach far. So, it is better to skip such business phrases and define your abilities and skills using stories about your achievements in the company.
Do not use phrases like “I, like, etc.
Avoid filler words like “um” and “like” during your interview. These words make you look like you are not confident- or worse, the ability to clearly communicate on the job. Try to avoid such phrases from your vocabulary for all good reasons.
How many leaves would I get?
When you bust out with an instant litany of WIIFM (What is in it for me?) queries, you look both arrogant as well as unappealing. Guess what the interviewer wants to know when they first meet you? First and foremost thing, they want to know how you can help them. What are the things that you can do to make the organization earn more profit, enhance business processes, grow the company, and most importantly, make their lives simpler? Making you satisfied will be significant if they want to hire you, but you are not even going to reach that stage if you make your demands clear at an initial stage.
What is the process of promotion in your company?
A person asking this question may look arrogant. What is the better way to ask this? “I am looking forward to staying in one place for a while. How does career paths within your company look like?”
I am planning to start my own business
This is one of the crucial things not to say in a job interview. The ambition of becoming an entrepreneur is always great, but if you are applying for a job, you possibly want to restrain the fact that you are trying to arrange money for your startup. Most employers want to appoint people who will stay in their company for a while, and if they develop any doubt in their mind that you want the job just to earn money to start your own venture, then you possibly won’t get that job.
How much time will it take?
You should never show the interviewer that you are in a hurry. What could be a half an hour interview might continue for 90 minutes if everything goes well, and if you seem like you are in a hurry to go somewhere or have something more important than this interview, the interviewer will get easily turned off.
No questions
This is one of the important things not to say in a job interview. Not having any questions to ask the interviewer basically shows that you are not interested to know anything more about the company, process, or rules and regulations. Experts believe that it is always better to go prepared with some thoughtful questions. Try to make your interview sound like a conversation rather than a firing squad.