5 Things You Shouldn’t Say at Your Job Interview

Considering the times we live in, having a job is pure gold right now. Times are hard, so if you’re lucky enough to get your foot in the door, do not let the opportunity pass you by.

While there are some basics we can all follow e.g. being on time, using the appropriate language and having a general air of openness and positivity, there are also a few things you should never say but which could potentially slip out. Here’s a helpful list of what you shouldn’t be saying in your next interview.

“You look great!” 

Looking the part is a very important part of applying for a job: you should dress for the job you want, as they say. So make sure that new suit or black dress you’ve bought is crisp, smart and professional, but draw the line there. Flirting with your interviewer, in any way, is a big no-no. They may well look great – so good, in fact, that you’re dying to tell them so. But there’s a way to be courteous and charming without being smarmy, so remember to keep the conversation light, no matter what the circumstance.

“How much does it pay?”

Salary is important, of course, but it is also a delicate subject, so try not to bring it up first. Let the interviewer get there themselves, as pushing the subject (especially early on), can be seen as an example of skewed priorities. The job should be your aim; the money is the reward.

“My last boss was awful” 

It may well be that your previous working environment was difficult, but mentioning it in an interview is seriously bad etiquette. Airing your laundry in public is never nice, and it creates the image of you being negative and hard to control. Be polite and the bigger person and you’ll be rewarded.

“My weakness? I’m too hard on myself” and other variations 

Last year, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development predicted a ‘slow, painful contraction’ of the jobs market with fewer job opportunities over the next 5 years. So keep in this in mind. The job market is extremely competitive and a relying on clichés and empty platitudes in your interview will not get you very far. Try and find a positive way to tackle the question, and mention how you’ve worked to overcome it.

“I don’t have any questions”

When asked this, have something prepared. We live in the age of the internet, and researching a company beforehand is not that difficult. Try to build on what has been mentioned by the interviewer and show your particular interests by asking the right questions.

Ultimately, the simplest advice is to just use your head. Be polite, erudite and show the interviewer that you are a person worth hiring. You just might find yourself with a nifty new job.