12 things that you should definitely not say in job interviews
Here are 12 things that you should definitely not say in job interviews. These are things that people say all the time, and you might think they’re harmless, but it actually loses them job. Stick around the number 12 , ‘cause I tell you, the most important question that you will be asked in an interview and what the worst answer is, which is actually one of the most common answers. You could be making this mistake and losing the job. But I will help you. And what is the worst answer?
- Asking about salary in the first call
Number One, don’t ask about salary and benefits in the first call. Let them bring it up. It makes you come off as extrinsically motivated and thinking, hey, what’s in it for me, instead of focusing on mutual fit between you and the company and the role. Now also, the longer you wait to talk about compensation, often the more leverage you have to negotiate. That’s the name of the game people. I don’t make the rule, I write the article. So it’s in your best interest to actually hold out.
- Making salary personal
Tip number two, don’t make salary personal. Buildings off of the last point, when it’s to discuss salary, do not give reasons for wanting a certain salary that have to do with your lifestyle. I want this salary because I just had a kid, so I have a lot of expenses. I need this salary to pay for my car payments. You should be paid for what you are worth, not for how many expenses you have accrued. Take a look at industry data and see how much people with the same title make, and emphasize any especially desirable skill or knowledge you have that would put you at higher pay grade.
- Haven’t tried the product
Number three; do not say you haven’t tried the product or service. If they have an accessible product, try it before your interview. Get the free trial or something. If that isn’t feasible then read reviews online, ask someone who has been a client of theirs, or just do something to understand it. I was talking to CEO of a small yogurt company, and he says that anyone who hasn’t tried the yogurt before the interview is immediately disqualified. I get it. They’re about spend thousands and thousands of dollars hiring someone, every day setting and putting effort for right candidate, and that person better give a craparoony about the product.
- What does your company do?
Number four; don’t ask what the company does. I don’t remember your company, I just applied to a lot of jobs, and can you give me a refresher? Don’t say that! I can almost always tell you when people are resume sprayers. So, when they just look at the title of the job description and shoot their resume over without really reading much about the company or really the job description. I can tell because their resumes are really generic and they either don’t include a cover letter or they include a cover latter that’s a complete template, so pointless. Though if they are qualified I will sometimes go against my best judgment and reach out to them. And y’all, they always disappoint me. They are always scattered and unprepared for the call. So I’ll link a full playlist of how to not be a resume sprayer in the description, since this topic is too big to cover here. But you absolutely have to understand what a company dose at basic level before ever going into an interview with them. And never say that you don’t know what a company dose to someone who you’re speaking to at the company. A fine way to put it is something like, I have read a bit about your company and I was very interested in the work you’re doing. I would love to hear more about the company from your perspective. Now that’s perfectly fine. You need to know something about the company, but you definitely don’t need to know everything.
- I need this
Number five; don’t say I need this job. A sob story is not a bestseller, and no one is booking tickets to your guilt trip either. Don’t focus on what you need, focus on the value you can give to the company. And if you feel yourself having that creeping desperation, wanting your closing thoughts in the interview to be I would do anything for this role, instead, translate that into passion and say, it would be a dream to work here. I’m very interested in your company.
- Play it cool
Number six, playing it cool. Now others play it off like, I don’t really need this job. One person even said to me, “You probably can’t even afford me.”, and said many others playing hard to get type things, even though he applied for the role. Companies will reject qualified people who don’t want to work there as much as others, because it indicates a lack of passion and motivation.
- Talking bad about employers
Number seven; don’t talk bad about previous employers. You know why? Because they’re thinking well, we’re next. We’re going to do something to get this person all hot and bothered, and they’re going to go run off to the next company that they’re going to work for and spill the tea. It also put you in the victim seat, which in an interview it’s not that time to sit there. And I want to add a tip onto this tip and tell you to say the nicest things about your previous employer and coworkers. Saying that you worked on an amazing team, that you were inspired by your boss, and generally lifting up others actually makes you look really good. So don’t be shy about doing that.
- I’m good at everything
Number eight; don’t say I’m good at everything. When you say you’re good at everything, it means you’re great at nothing. It actually makes it more difficult for a company to slot you into a role when you’re so generic about the way you brand yourself and represent your skills.
- I want your job
Number nine, I want your job. This is classic mistake that when you’re ask about your future, you say , well, I’m going to get your job, manager, or I want the CEO’s job. And this can be interpreted as impatience, a lack of interest in the current job, and that you actually have a high potential of leaving the company.
- Stuck on old accomplishments
Number ten, stuck on old accomplishments. Interviewers want to know what you have accomplished lately, such as within the last three to five years, and have it be related to the role that you’re interviewing for. Some people when they’re answering the questions tell me about yourself or tell me about your accomplishments, they go way back to when they got a high score on their SAT’s. Most likely a completely useless skill for whatever job you’re interviewing for. And I’ve even had people focus on when they built a company when they were 12. If you don’t focus on accomplishments within the last few years, they will interpret that as you being a low performer, and that you kind peaked early. Build those recent examples.
- I’m the best
Number eleven, overconfidence. Don’t say. I’m the best there is, you can’t find anyone else out there like me. You are definitely there to sell yourself, but this comes off as cocky, and you actually have no idea what the talent pool looks like. So stick to emphasizing your objective accomplishments and results that you have achieved.
- I don’t have any questions
Number twelve; do not say that you don’t have any questions. This is so huge, many companies will ask you at the end of the interview, and do you have any questions for me? And your answer should always be yes, saying no shows a lack of you vetting the opportunity from your end, lack of curiosity, and a lack of analysis of your situation. Your questions should be tailored to the role and the company, asking about major milestones and expectations for the role, dynamics on the team, that kind of stuff.