When you’re interviewing for a job, it’s important to choose your words wisely. There’s no denying that this can be nerve-wracking, but it’s important to think about it, as saying the wrong thing might just cost you the opportunity. Here are 20 phrases that could ruin your opportunity to succeed in a job interview.
“What’s the salary?”
There’s nothing wrong with discussing the financial compensation of a job, but don’t bring it up in the interview. This will make you seem more interested in the paycheck than the position itself. As Harvard Business Review points out, it’s likely that the interviewer will initiate this conversation during the interview, so be patient and prepare your answer in advance.
“I don’t know”
While it’s good to be honest, answering an interviewer’s question with “I don’t know” is a bad idea, as it can signal a lack of confidence or preparation. Instead, try to express willingness to find out more. For instance, stating, “I haven’t encountered that situation yet, but I am eager to learn and adapt quickly,” shows you are ready to tackle new challenges.
“I have no weaknesses”
When your interviewer inevitably asks you about your weaknesses, claiming to have none is a ridiculous statement. Everyone has flaws, and claiming that this doesn’t apply to you can come across as disingenuous or arrogant. Think about your answer to this in advance, and choose a real but minor weakness, discussing the steps you are taking to address it.
“I’m not sure if this is relevant, but…”
Self-doubt can undermine your authority and the relevance of your contributions during an interview, so be careful saying, “I’m not sure if this is relevant, but…” Just share your thoughts confidently, focusing on how they align with the job requirements. Reframing with “This may be beneficial because…” demonstrates your initiative and ability to connect experiences with job duties.
“I just need a job”
The easiest way to scare off a prospective employer is to tell them that your motivation for applying is that you need a job. Employers seek candidates who are passionate about their work and the company, so saying you need “any job” shows a complete lack of enthusiasm. Emphasize your interest in the specific role, even if it’s not your dream job.
“I’m a perfectionist”
One of the most common mistakes people make in job interviews is claiming, “I’m a perfectionist.” This is a corny and unrealistic statement that can make you sound clichéd, insincere, and even childish. Be realistic and think carefully about your areas for improvement before you enter the interview because claiming to be a perfectionist just isn’t going to cut it.
“My previous job was terrible”
Telling an interviewer that your last job didn’t go well is not smart; it’s the employment equivalent of saying, “My ex was crazy.” Speaking negatively about past employers reflects poorly on your professionalism, and the interviewer will likely assume that the root cause of the problem was you–not your past employer.
“It’s on my resume”
Even if it’s true, answering a question with “It’s on my resume” is a terrible mistake to make in a job interview as it comes across as dismissive and rude. Use this question as an opportunity to elaborate on your experiences and achievements. After all, it’s impossible for your prospective employer to read every detail of every candidate’s resume.
“I don’t have any questions”
As your job interview is ending, you’ll likely be asked if you have any questions, and stating that you don’t isn’t a good move. Even if you don’t have any questions, consider raising some sort of query regardless because not asking questions may signal a lack of interest or preparation. There’s no such thing as a stupid question, so ask away.
“I did all the work”
During a job interview, you might be asked about past projects from your last job, but don’t be tempted to claim all of the credit in an attempt to impress. This will only make you seem self-centered and unfit as a team player, so emphasize your contributions while acknowledging the efforts of your team.
“I haven’t had that experience”
When unknown territory is raised in a job interview, don’t make statements like “I haven’t had that experience.” Instead of focusing on what you haven’t done, highlight related experiences and transferable skills. Explain how those skills can be applied to the new role, demonstrating your ability to adapt and learn quickly.
“I don’t like working in teams”
The last thing any employer wants to hear from a candidate is, “I don’t like working in teams.” There are very few jobs out there that don’t require collaboration in some form, so even if you prefer working solo, admitting to that isn’t smart. Instead, frame it positively by discussing how you thrive with autonomy, but you also value and have experience in team settings.
“I was fired from my last job”
It’s smart to be honest in an interview, but admitting that you were fired from your last job is a step too far. If the topic arises, you should address it honestly, but focus on what you learned from the experience, not why the job ended. Explain how it motivated you to improve and grow professionally, and your prospective employer will be more likely to cut you some slack.
“I have a lot going on in my personal life”
Personal life details are generally inappropriate during interviews. Focus on your professional qualifications and ability to perform the job. If asked about availability or commitments, provide a clear and concise answer without divulging personal issues that may raise concerns.
“I don’t really have any long-term goals”
Employers love to hire people who have aspirations, so admitting that you don’t have any long-term goals isn’t wise. It can suggest you are not serious about your career as you don’t think about it much. Take some time before the interview to carefully think about this question, helping you to prepare an answer whilst also getting you thinking about your career.
“What does your company do?”
When you turn up for an interview, it is expected that you will have conducted some research on the company or at least read the job description. For this reason, you shouldn’t be asking the interviewer what their company does. Not knowing basic information about the company can reflect poorly on your preparation, so do your research beforehand.
“I’m overqualified for this job”
Some people claim that claiming to be overqualified for a job will leave an employer begging you to join the company, but this isn’t true at all. It shows overconfidence and even arrogance while also implying that you might leave the role if you find a better opportunity. It’s good to bring confidence to the table, but don’t overdo it.
“I don’t get along with my boss”
If you complain about your current or former boss in an interview, prepare for the session to be cut short. It looks very unprofessional, and the interviewer will assume that you are a troublemaker. Instead, frame your experiences in a positive light, discussing what you learned from challenging workplace relationships and what pitfalls you are looking to move away from without playing the blame game.
“I need a flexible schedule”
These days, many jobs provide flexible schedules, especially if they’re remote, but raising such benefits in an interview isn’t smart. You won’t have even received a job offer yet, so asking for flexibility already will come across as rather audacious. Wait for the interviewer to bring up availability, and even then, flexibility is only worth discussing if they mention it first.
“I’m a quick learner”
Believe it or not, telling an interviewer that you’re a quick learner isn’t advisable; in fact, it could even cost you the job. While being a quick learner is certainly positive, it’s a vague statement that can sound like a cliche. So, instead of being vague, consider providing specific examples of how you have quickly adapted to new roles, and the interviewer will be far more impressed.
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