10 THINGS NOT TO SAY IN A JOB INTERVIEW
With the jobs market more competitive than ever, it can be
hard work just to get an interview, so once you are actually in front of
potential employers, you do not want to ruin your prospects with an ill-chosen
comment.
Sadly, some job hunters still do speak before they think.
Corinne Mills, Managing Director of Personal Career Management says she can
recall many instances of interviewees saying the wrong thing. "I remember
when one man was asked why he wanted the job and he replied, 'Because my mom
thought it was a good idea’, she says.
She adds that some job hunters have also been known to say
they have applied for a job because it will pay the rent while they look for a
job they really want to do, and a common response to a question about what
candidates like to do in their spare time is, 'go to the pub'.
Richard Nott, website director at CWJobs.co.uk, says
candidates should avoid discussing religion and politics. "Employers like
people who can talk passionately about their own interests as it helps them to
get to know you as a person. But we would always advise against sharing your
views on these two topics without knowing if the interviewer shares that point
of view”
Here is a list of the top things to avoid saying at a job
interview according to Nott, Mills and Nik Pratap of Hays Senior Finance:
1. "Sorry I'm
late": It goes without saying that punctuality is the key. Your
interviewer does not want you to arrive for work 20 minutes late every morning.
2. “What is your
annual leave and sickness policy?": It does not look good if before
you have even been hired, you are planning your absence from the company.
3. “I will just take
this call': Mills says a large number of candidates think it is okay to
take telephone calls, reply texts. etcetera during an interview. But it is not.
4. When asked.
"Where do you See yourself in five years?" never say. "Doing
your job': This might be a genuine answer, but candidates should try to
build a response around the experience they would like to have gained and the
level of responsibility they would like to have, rather than threatening the
inter-viewer's job.
5. “My previous employer
sucked”: No matter how mind-numbingly boring those roles might have been, speaking
badly of a previous employer is not only unprofessional but also reflects on
your character. Your new employer will contact your former employer for
references following an interview, so it is never wise to burn your bridges.
6. "You make
widgets? I thought you made cricket bats": Failing to research your
prospective employer fully is a big faux pas. Saying you've looked at their website
is only marginally better - employers expect far more research.
7. "Bloody hell”:
Never swear in your interview. It can happen. especially if your interviewer is
themselves prolific with the profanities, but do not let them set the standard
of the interview and remain professional at all times.
8. “I was very good
at sorting out PEBs by using ARCs": Do not fall into the industry
jargon of your previous employer or assume the interviewer knows anything about
your experience. Instead, speak clearly about your skills and experience to
avoid any confusion or misunderstanding.
9. "Do I really
have to wear that uniform?": Any criticism of staff uniform will go
down like a lead balloon. Do you think your interviewer enjoyed wearing that
fluorescent green ensemble when they performed your role?
10. "When asked.
"What do you expect to enjoy most about this role?”: Never reply with
any of the following: "The perks, the pay, lunchtimes, my co-workers or
the holidays”
