Have an interview coming up? Sometimes we can say things, that we don’t realise the impact of but these statements are instant job interview deal breakers :
I’m Not Good At Working With People:
Maybe it isn’t your number one strength and you prefer working by yourself at times. That is fine. But highlighting that you are a completely independent, autonomous person that can’t harmonize and work alongside others is a big red flag. It is impossible to grow a company or do anything by yourself — having an understanding of that on a deeper level is indicative of how someone works and interacts with others.
I’m So OCD:
Never say you are ‘so OCD’ in a job interview when trying to communicate that you are really organized or detail oriented. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a mental illness that impacts millions of people. Claiming you are OCD about your work is offensive and hurtful to those who suffer from OCD. You never know the mental history of your interviewer or her network. If you have been diagnosed with OCD, it is your choice to disclose that information in a job interview. However, if you use the phrase ‘I’m so OCD’ to trivialize the disorder, it’s an immediate red flag to employers that support mental health advocacy.
I’m Curious About Your Holiday Policy:
If you haven’t even been hired, you shouldn’t be asking about when and how often you can get away. Employers and human resources managers want to see the enthusiasm for the work you would be doing — not about leaving ASAP.
I’m Leaving My Job Because The Company Is Toxic:
Never speak disparagingly about a boss, colleague or company. If you are leaving a stressful or toxic work environment and are asked why you are seeking a new job, there are many things you can say without being negative. For example, you’re seeking a new opportunity because you’d like to be more challenged professionally, learn new skills or work for a larger organization. Companies want to hire positive people, not people who will bring negativity into the workplace.
I’m Not Excited About This Role:
“I once had a job candidate tell me that they were not really that excited about the position. It doesn’t matter if you see a job as a stepping stone or just a way into a company, you need to show excitement for the position at hand.” — Jenna Tanenbaum, founder of Green blender
I Don’t Have Any Questions:
‘Nope, I don’t have any questions.’ I don’t care if you have talked to thirty people at the company by this interview. If you’re hungry, you should want to know every single detail about the company. To me, not asking a question means that you are not interested enough to have done your research prior to meeting me. It also shows that you did not think critically about the interview process as a whole.
