Preparing what not to say in an interview is just as important as preparing what to say.
We can all agree that you are under a lot of stress when in a job interview, and a simple mistake could easily cost you the job.
Here, we will discuss what not to say in an interview and offer advice on what to say.
What Not to Say in an Interview (Do’s and Don’ts)
1. Can you tell us about yourself?
- Do not tell the interviewer your life story. It is ok to briefly discuss your hobbies and interests, but what they want to hear is how your related work experience will benefit the company you are interviewing for.
2. Where do you see yourself in five years?
- Almost any interview I have ever been on has asked this question, regardless of the position. The main reason this question is asked is to see if you are a fit for the company you are applying to.
- Companies invest a significant amount of time and effort in training people, but no one wants to hire a job hopper, as they are looking for a job rather than a career. For example, suppose you are interviewing at a bank and in five years you want to work in childcare. Although childcare is an honorable profession, it doesn’t seem like you are a good match for the bank, as you probably will not stay for long.
- Remember, for this question, pick a career that aligns with the business of the company you are applying to. So, if you are applying for a teller position at a bank, state something like “I would like to stay in banking and become an investment adviser.”
3. Do you have any questions for us?
- The worst response you can have to this question is “no,” as you sound uninterested or even worse, unprepared.
Questions not to ask:
- Can I bring my child to work?
- How many holidays can I get?
- Can I work from home?
Some of my favorite questions are:
- What are the characteristics of your top-performing employees?
- If I were to start tomorrow, what would be my top priority?
You can also ask simple questions like:
- If hired, what training will I receive?
- What hours will I work?
- Why do you want to work for us?
- Don’t mention anything negative you read in the media.
- Don’t mention wanting to work for the company for tips or money.
4. Would you rather work as a team or as an individual?
- Never say, individual. I can’t think of a single company that was entirely built by one person, so teamwork is key. Mark Zuckerberg may have built Facebook with very little help, but there are thousands of employees at Facebook today. Imagine going to McDonald’s and only one person is running the entire restaurant. Always say you would rather work as a team and not as an individual.
5. How did you find this job?
- Don’t say you found this job on a job board, state that you always wanted to work for this company, and you were actively searching or applying for jobs here.
Remember Your Job Interview Questions?
Whether it was recent or a while ago, your experience can help others.
6. What is your greatest weakness?
- Everyone has a weakness that they need to work on, but if you state you don’t have a weakness, the interviewer simply won’t believe you. All companies need certain skills. I recommend reviewing the job description to ensure you don’t list these skills as your greatest weakness. If possible, state a weakness that does not apply to the job. For example, “when I get caught up in my work, I don’t make enough personal time for myself”. Although not taking enough personal time off for myself is a weakness, it will have minimal impact on the job you are applying for.
7. Why did you leave your last job?
- Don’t say it because you had a conflict with your manager or a coworker.
- State something that shows ambition, like, “although I enjoyed my time at company XYZ, I feel I have reached my full potential and further advancement is not possible.”