Interviews are probably the most challenging part of the job search
process. You need to be ready for anything, including weird interview
questions.You don't want to blurt out something inappropriate and send
all of your hard work down the toilet. Avoid these inappropriate
comments during your interview:
1. I'm really nervous.
There's nothing wrong with feeling nervous. It's natural to be a little
uneasy at an important interview. Don't tell the interviewer if you have
butterflies in your stomach, though. Your job in the interview is to
portray a confident and professional demeanor. You won't win any points
by admitting your nerves or blaming them for any failures in your
performance.
2. I don't really know much about the job; I thought you'd tell me all about it.
This is a big job seeker mistake, and it can cost you the opportunity.
Employers spend a lot of time interviewing, and they expect candidates
to have researched the jobs enough to be able to explain why they want
the positions. Otherwise, you could be wasting everyone's time by
interviewing for a job you may not even really want. Asking questions is
important, but don't ask anything you should know from the job
description or from reading about the company online.
3. My last boss/colleague/client was a real jerk.
It's possible (even likely) that your interviewer could prod you into
telling tales about your previous or current supervisor or work
environment. Resist the urge to badmouth anyone, even if you have a bad
boss. It is unprofessional and the employer will worry what you may say
to someone about him or her down the road. Instead, think about ways to
describe past work environments in terms of what you learned or
accomplishments you're proud to discuss.
4. My biggest weakness is (something directly related to the job).
"What's your weakness?" is one of the most dreaded interview questions.
There's no perfect reply, but there is a reply you should never say:
Never admit to a weakness that will affect your ability to get the job
done. If the job description requires a lot of creativity, and you say
your creativity has waned lately, assume that you've taken yourself out
of the running. Choose a weakness not related to the position and
explain how you're working to improve it.
5. @#$%! Granted, profanity
seems to be much more accepted in many workplaces today. However, an
interview is not the time to demonstrate that you can talk like a
pirate.
6. Just a minute; I really need to get this call.
It's amazing how many hiring managers and recruiters report that
interviewees answer their phones and respond to text messages during
in-person interviews. Turn off your phone during interviews and you will
not be tempted to reach to answer it.
7. How much vacation time would I get? Never, ever ask questions in an interview that may make it appear that you'll be overly focused on anything other than work.
8. Can I work from home? Even if you're pretty sure the company has a lenient work-from-home policy, the interview isn't the best time to ask about it.
9. Family is the most important thing to me.
[/b]This is true for many people. However, you do not need to explain
how devoted you are to your family during your job interview. It is
unlikely to win favor, even in organizations with a well-known
family-friendly environment. You want your potential employer to
envision you being totally devoted to his or her needs.
When in
doubt, pause before you say what's on your mind. If you wonder if it's
okay to ask, assume it's better to avoid the topic altogether.
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