If you’ve ever been on the hunt for a new job, you’ve probably told people in your network that you’re looking; cue the horrible job search and interview advice. Everyone who gives you career advice means well, we know this. However, this advice can vary from downright horrible, to life-changing, and everything in between. Most of what you’ve likely read on the internet falls into the horrible category, while some articles have likely given you some actionable insights. We are going to give you 10 real life examples of things that have been said in interviews, that the candidate should not have said. You can use these as a “what not to do” list.
1.You don’t have anything nice to say about your last manager.
No matter how terrible your last boss was, resist the urge to give your interviewer every detail about your relationship. First, your interviewer is thinking that if they hire you, and you don’t get along, you could be talking about them this way to another interviewer in the future. Two, you’re making them wonder if there’s something you did as an employee to make your boss treat you this way. Both of these scenarios are bad. So instead of discussing why you’re leaving your bad boss, talk about what you’re wanting out of your next opportunity.
2.You tell the interviewer that you need six figures to continue the interview.
Salary requirements are tricky. Discussing them too early, before you understand what the company is willing to pay for a role can mean you might be leaving money on the table. Telling your interviewer that you’re not interested in continuing the interview unless the position pays a certain salary is not the way to get the salary you want. Generally, avoid giving your interviewer any sort of ultimatum.
3.You explain that you’re not very reliable.
You won’t directly tell the interviewer that they can’t depend on you, it will be through the examples you give. Make sure you are giving examples that emphasize your strengths, not the things you need to be working on!
4.You answer your smartphone during the interview.
The only time you might be able to get away with this is if you kick off the interview with explaining that you have a dying brother/sister/parent and may have to answer a call. Anything short of this, and you’ll likely be showing the interviewer that your phone is more important than they are.
5.You tell the interviewer that you’re not qualified for the job.
You literally tell the interviewer that you’ve never done the work before, and then don’t follow up with any potentially applicable experience. Remember, it’s your job to sell yourself, not leave your interviewer questioning whether or not you can do the job.
6.“I think this will give me great experience for my next job.”
You’re already thinking about your next job, and you haven’t even been offered this one?
7.You tell the interviewer you want the job because you’ll be able to have lunch with your best friend.
Do you actually want to work here, or just spend two hours with your best friend at lunch every day? That’s what your interviewer will wonder if that’s your answer to a question like, “Why do you want to work here?”
8.When the interviewer asks if you have any questions for him or her, you say no.
Did you prepare for the interview at all? If you have no questions, your interviewer will wonder.
9.“Well, I’m the best person for the job.”
So do you know the backgrounds and resumes of the other candidates they’re interviewing? There’s a huge difference between being confident and downright cocky. Make sure you’re sounding like you know you can do the job, not that you’re too good to take it.
10.You give 10 weaknesses.
It’s very, very likely that the interviewer will ask about your weaknesses. We’ve had candidates talk themselves out of jobs because instead of talking about one or two things they should be working on, they list ten.