Phrases and words to avoid saying in a job interview

It’s time to erase these phrases from your vocabulary!

In today’s competitive job market, standing out to an employer requires more than just a polished resume and volunteering experience. While these can raise your potential employer’s eyebrows, the interview is where you can truly shine or falter.

Regardless of your impressive experiences, accolades and portfolio, a poor interview can significantly diminish your chances of securing the job. Interviews are crucial for employers to determine whether or not you’re likely to succeed within the organization.

There are many ways you can prepare for an interview. Besides researching the company and reviewing the job description, conducting informational interviews can provide invaluable insights into the companies you wish to work for.

However, equally important is knowing what you should not say during an interview. Certain phrases and words can negatively impact your chances of getting hired. To facilitate it for you and help you rock your next job interview, we’ve put together a list of sentences and words to avoid.

These are no-nos:

“It’s on my resume”

Picture of a woman sitting on a yellow armless chair near a gray laptop computer and talking to another woman. — *Picture by Mimi Thian via Unsplash.*

Let me tell you this: when you get a job interview, the interviewer has already read your resume. They’re asking questions for a reason.

Even if the answer to their question is on your resume – and they know that – that’s an opportunity for you to talk more about your experience and the work you did in that role. Plus, these questions are also a way for the interviewer to evaluate your communication and social skills, which are crucial for any job nowadays.

So, if a recruiter asks about your skills or job experiences, never say, “It’s on my resume.” Go beyond the bullet points and give a detailed explanation of what you did and achieved in your previous role. Anyone can list experiences on a resume, but showing what you did and learned can really help you stand out in a job interview.

“My biggest weakness? Well, I am a perfectionist”

Picture of a woman in a black blazer disappointed looking at her laptop. — *Picture by Elisa Ventur via Unsplash.*

Just by writing this subheading, I can feel the job opportunity slipping through your fingers. Never, and I will repeat, NEVER, say that your greatest weakness is being a perfectionist.

First of all, you’re usually competing with other hundreds of candidates for the same position, and this is such a cliché answer. Besides the fact that your interviewer probably heard it before, they don’t like when weaknesses are portrayed as strengths. It doesn’t really tell much about your personality or how you overcome challenges. Employers are interested in a more genuine response and want to know how you’re working on your weaknesses.

Anything that relates to perfectionism or working too hard has to be erased from your “What’s your weakness?” response. Instead, consider examples like delegation, patience or self-criticism, depending on the job you’re applying for.

“I am willing to do anything”

Picture of a man in a blue sweater disappointed with his hands on his head. — *Picture by Ahmad Gunnaivi via Unsplash.*

Although it’s important to show your potential employer that you’re open to any task, not being clear and excited about what you’re truly invested in can work against you.

There’s a big difference between desperation and passion. Recruiters don’t want to hire a desperate candidate; they want a passionate one who is excited about contributing to a specific area in the company. Desperation can lead to poor judgement and poor decision-making, while passion is gasoline to your tank. Passion fuels your drive and makes you want to do your best for the company.

So, if you get asked, “What are you looking forward to doing in this role?” don’t say, “I’ll do anything,” or “I’m willing to do anything.” Instead, highlight a specific aspect of the job that aligns with your passion and experience and how it will contribute to the company’s success.

Don’t trash on your previous employer

Picture of a man and two women sitting beside a brown wooden table and talking to each other. — *Picture by Van Tay Media via Unsplash.*

Talking negatively about your previous job, employer or coworkers during an interview is a big red flag. It can lead the interviewer to believe that you may badmouth their company to a future employer. It also reflects poorly on your loyalty and ability to deal with challenges and conflicts. In a worst-case scenario, it could even make the interviewer question some of the skills on your resume like leadership or problem-solving.

You can totally discuss your past experiences and challenges you faced, but always maintain a neutral and positive tone. Focus on what you learned and how you plan to apply that knowledge in your next role.

Questions such as, “Why are you leaving your current job?” are very common during interviews. Be honest yet always steer clear of negativity and criticizing your former boss.

“I don’t have any final questions”

Picture of a stressed man using a MacBook. — *Picture by Tim Gouw via Unsplash.*

Forget the idea that not having questions means everything was perfectly clear. At the end of the interview, when you get bombed with, “Do you have any questions?” seize the opportunity. And trust me, you have questions – you’re not even working for the company yet so there’s plenty of questions to explore.

Asking questions at the end shows the interviewer you’re interested in the position and want to learn more about it. Recruiters often look for candidates who have enthusiasm and interest in the role.

Before the interview, do your research about the position and company. Write down a couple of insightful questions to show your understanding and curiosity. Remember, you aren’t here to learn more about the person interviewing you but rather about the typical day in the role, recent projects the team’s been working on and details on the onboarding process.

Picture of two men talking during a job interview. — *Picture by LinkedIn Sales Solutions via Unsplash.*

Working on your interview communication skills is a big step to landing your dream job. In most cases, a successful interview is much more important than having a packed resume. These were some of the sentences that you should avoid during interviews to ensure you don’t turn the tables against you.

Another vital aspect of workplace success is correctly using gender-inclusive language. Respect is essential in every office environment!

If you know any other phrases to add to our list of interview no-nos, share them with us @shareignite.

Feature image courtesy of Tim Gouw via Unsplash.

Do you want to know what IGNITE managers look for in interviews? Check out how to successfully land a job at your student union!