Going For A Job Interview? Avoid Saying These Things

The job-searching process can be filled with rejection after rejection but every once in a while, you may get approved and land the interview. The struggle isn’t over just yet. Interviews are nerve-racking but with a little preparation, they can be a breeze. During a job interview, there are things you should do and things you shouldn’t do; things you should say and things you shouldn’t say. When you know the right things to say and do, you may be able to impress your interviewer and increase your chances of getting the job. On the other hand, saying the wrong things can cost you the job. @jobswithshay gave out some tips on Twitter a couple of weeks ago and we got her permission to share them with you.

“I don’t have any experience but…”

You should avoid saying that you don’t have experience even if you don’t. This sort of downplays your qualifications and makes the interviewer doubt their choice. Lack of experience can be a strength as well. Let the interviewer know that you are enthusiastic, willing to learn and you understand what they require from you regardless of your experience level. You can also use your life experiences as a reference if they are relevant to the job description. Here’s an example of how to explain your lack of experience.

“I didn’t like the company…”

You may be asked why you want to leave or why you left your previous employment. The interviewer is trying to get insight into your job performance and your professional ethics. So this isn’t the time to bad-mouth your old boss or the company but to showcase your career goals. The simple way to answer this question is to say that you want a new environment to continue growing or that you left to advance your career. You can state how you couldn’t achieve these goals in the previous job but keep it professional.

“I’m good at what I do.”

Say the interviewer asks you why they should hire you. This is a good opportunity to really sell yourself so don’t just say that you’re good at what you do or you’re hard-working. You should give a summary of your accomplishments, skills, and experience. Try to make a match between the job requirements and your qualifications as this shows that you’ve taken your time to learn about the position and the company. Here’s a good example:

“You’ve explained that you’re looking for a sales executive who is able to effectively manage over a dozen employees. In my 15 years of experience as a sales manager, I’ve developed strong motivational and team-building skills. I was twice awarded manager-of-the-year for my innovative strategies for motivating employees to meet and surpass quarterly deadlines. If hired, I will apply my leadership abilities and strategies to achieve profit gains in this position.”

“I can start tomorrow.”

When they ask you when you can start, don’t say tomorrow. This is still part of the interview and the interviewer is trying to see how you’ll answer the question. Saying tomorrow shows that you don’t value your current job or you won’t give yourself enough time to prepare for the position you’re interviewing for. Instead, give a notice period of one month if you’re employed. Ensure that you give your reasons as well and remain flexible to their requirements. If you don’t have any other commitments, you can say immediately.

Here are some more things you should avoid saying.

“I’m a perfectionist” This is a tired line that interviewers have heard a million times so you should avoid it at all costs.

I’m nervous.” Nerves are absolutely normal and acknowledging how you feel can put you at more ease. However, there’s a right way and a wrong way to do it during a job interview.

“I used to earn X amount in my previous job.” First, this limits your potential earnings. It’s also not relevant what you used to earn so you shouldn’t bring it up if they don’t ask you.