When preparing for a job interview, you spend a lot of time obsessing over the right answers. But what a lot of job seekers overlook is that it’s just as important to think about the wrong answers – the responses you could give that actually hurt your chances of getting the job. To help you avoid unnecessary setbacks and turn in a dazzling performance the next time you’re close to an offer, we’ve put together a list of the things you absolutely must avoid saying.
“What Kind of Work Does Your Company Do?”
Asking this question reveals that you haven’t done anything to prepare for the interview and have no real stake in getting the job. You should enter every interview feeling like an expert about the company. That knowledge comes in online research, talking to people you know in the company or any other connection you have with your potential employer.
“What Sorts of Benefits and Perks Do You Offer?
There is a time and a place to have this conversation, but you shouldn’t bring it up during the initial job interview. During your first interactions, your focus should be entirely on whether or not you are a good fit for the position being offered.
“I Couldn’t Stand My Last Boss”
Even if this is true, it’s irrelevant to the job you’re trying to get now, and it reflects poorly on your professional character. If asked about past positions, particularly those that were negative experiences, keep your answers as neutral as possible or even talk about the positives you learned from the situation. Generalizations about your character could start if you are criticizing your previous employer.
“I’m Eager to Take Any Job”
Desperation is not a quality that hiring managers look for in their next employee. There are better ways to frame your eagerness and willingness to be flexible than to emphasize how exasperating your job search has become.
“I Like Your Outfit”
Personal flattery is never appropriate in an interview setting. It is fine to try and develop rapport with an interviewer and even to offer compliments, but they should be strictly limited to professional subjects.
“I Don’t Know”
Flatly stating that you don’t know the answer to something calls your intelligence into question and suggests that you can’t think on your feet. If you can’t immediately give an answer to a question, try to vocalize your thought process to show the interviewer that you have the critical thinking skills to arrive at the right answer eventually.
“My Biggest Weakness is Actually a Strength”
Hiring managers have heard some variation on this response a thousand times, and it has never impressed them. And now that it has become such a cliché it sounds even more silly. If asked to name your biggest weakness, choose something not directly related to your potential job responsibilities, and then illustrate how you’ve made efforts to improve at it.
If you have a big interview coming up, preparation is key. Find more resources to help you make an unforgettable impression by working with Technologies for your next position.