No matter how well prepared you might be, we can all slip and overstate our own talents, ambitions and plans during an interview in order to impress
Interviews can be nerve wracking, we get it. It’s not easy knowing that you’re under the scanner and that in order to obtain the job that you want, you’ve got to be better than all the other (capable) candidates that would have applied for the same role. At the same time, your primary goal at the interview should be getting through to your interviewer at a level that the other candidates cannot. They’ve got to see something in you that makes you standout from all the other people vying for the same position. So it’s important to put the nerves aside and do your very best to get your point across. Why would you be best for this job? Why should they hire you over everyone else? Your first response to these questions might be trying to oversell yourself, but stop and think. No matter how well prepared you might be, we can all slip and overstate our own talents, ambitions and plans during an interview in order to impress. It’s best to be conservative in what you say, rather than going for the overkill and putting your interviewer off. Focus on your skills and qualifications and keep details of your personal life out of the equation.
If you’re not quite sure what we’re talking about, read below to know the exact things never to say during an interview.
1. “I really just don’t get along with my current boss. He/she is an awful boss.” (You’re not supposed to be best friends. Also are you going to say this about you new boss if things don’t work out?)
2. “I have a vacation planned next month.” (Wait for the job offer before you declare vacation plans.)
3. “Do you mind if I take this call?” (In the middle of your interview? Yes, he/she minds.)
4. “It’s on my resume. I emailed it to you.” (Yes, but they asked you. In person. You’ve got to have a response.)
5. “I really hate my current job.” (Are you going to hate this job if they hire you? Think about what they might think before you speak.)
6. “What’s your leave policy?” (Don’t ask about benefits before you have the job. You don’t want to come across as someone who is already looking for time off.)
7. “I really need this job.” (Everyone who applied probably needs or wants it. You don’t want to risk coming across as desperate.)
