Our AI writing assistant, WriteUp, can assist you in easily writing any text. Click here to experience its capabilities.

18 Things You Should Never Say in a Job Interview

View Original View Raw

Summary

This article provides 18 things that job seekers should never say in a job interview. Examples of these red flags are apologizing for lack of experience, badmouthing a former employer, not being able to articulate answers, using business jargon, and not preparing thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer. The article also provides tips on how to answer questions and make a positive impression during the job interview.

Q&As

What is the No. 1 goal in an interview?
The No. 1 goal in an interview is to convey why you—above all other candidates—are the best person for the job.

What types of job roles are available on The Muse?
The types of job roles available on The Muse are Marketing, Sales, Data, Human Resources, Customer Service, Software Engineering, Product Management, Education, Design and UX, and Administration.

What are 18 things a job applicant should avoid saying in an interview?
18 things a job applicant should avoid saying in an interview are: "I didn’t have time to prepare," "I’ll do anything!," "My last company was so toxic," "I know I don’t have much experience, but...," "It’s on my resume," "I don’t know," reads notes word for word, "My greatest weakness has to be perfection," "I’d like to start my own business as soon as possible," "I’ll circle back on our strategic alliance to create synergy," "Um, you know, like...," "So, yeah—," "Sh*t, I’m so sorry," "If it makes you feel better, I never wash my bras," "And then my dad had to call the school…," "What’s in it for me?," "Do you want to see my references?," and "Thanks, but I don’t have any questions."

What strategies can be used if a job applicant is asked a question that stumps them?
Strategies that can be used if a job applicant is asked a question that stumps them are repeating the question thoughtfully before answering or saying (slowly), “Now, that is a great question. I think I would have to say…” and asking for what you need—whether that’s a pen and paper, a glass of water, or a quick minute to think.

What tips can a job applicant use to wrap up an answer and make a lasting impression?
Tips a job applicant can use to wrap up an answer and make a lasting impression are tying the story back into what the company’s needs are or the position they’re trying to fill, using language that everyone gets right off the bat, and using one of three approaches to perfectly wrap up your answers.

AI Comments

👍 This article provides an incredibly comprehensive and helpful list of things to avoid saying in a job interview. It is an invaluable resource to any job seeker!

👎 The advice given in this article is too generic and fails to provide specific examples or situations in which certain phrases should be avoided.

AI Discussion

Me: It's about 18 things you should never say in a job interview. It talks about how to prepare for an interview and what to avoid saying to make sure you don't give a bad impression.

Friend: Wow, that's really helpful. What kind of implications does the article have?

Me: Well, the article highlights the importance of being prepared for an interview and being mindful of the words you use. It also emphasizes the importance of not badmouthing your past employers, avoiding business jargon, and being aware of the language you use. It also points out the importance of being able to communicate clearly and effectively, and asking thoughtful questions. Overall, the article has implications for job seekers in terms of how to prepare for and conduct themselves during a job interview.

Action items

Research the position and company before the interview.
Practice answers to common interview questions without memorizing them word for word.
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer at the end of the interview.

Technical terms

Recruiter: A person who is responsible for finding and hiring new employees for a company.
Career Path: A chosen profession or field of work.
Transferable Skills: Skills that can be used in different jobs or industries.
Brand: A company's name, logo, and other elements that make up its identity.
Toxic: A situation or environment that is harmful or damaging.
Cliché: An overused phrase or idea.
Entrepreneurial: Relating to starting and running a business.
Jargon: Specialized language used by a particular group or profession.
Filler Words: Words used to fill pauses in speech, such as "um" and "like".
TMI: Too much information.
WIIFM: What's in it for me?