5 of the WORST things you could say in an interview

Think you can get away an occasional slip of the tongue…? You’re probably right when it comes to most situations. But not when it comes to an interview situation. With your job prospect, and possibly your entire career hanging in balance, sometimes it’s better to know what to say, and more importantly what not to say.

Read on to find out the 5 worst things you could say in an interview:

“How Much Does This Job Pay?”
Sure, you have to discuss this. But there is always the right time to do so and asking this at the beginning itself can be detrimental to your prospects. It may send the wrong signal to your possible employer, that all you care about is the money.

“My Boss Was No Good”
Avoid any disparaging remarks about your previous employers at all costs. It sends a clear message about your lack of professionalism, and more likely than not your prospective employer will side with precisely the person you are bad-mouthing. What’s more, they may even develop concerns that they may be the subject of such remarks in your future job interviews.

“I Hate My Job”
When articulating why you are applying for your current role, it’s important to focus on the positives of the position that you are applying for rather than the negatives of the position you are trying to move on from. This is because this kind of a negative attitude can cause hiring managers to question your motivations for applying for the job.

“I’m Not Aware of Any Weaknesses,”
Pride sure comes before the fall. Overconfidence, especially when it comes to your weaknesses can make you appear as though you lack self-awareness, and are delusional and boastful. On the other hand, focusing on a previous weakness that you improved upon is a much more effective strategy, providing insight into your professional growth.

“Can I Work a Flexible Schedule?” or “How Many Vacation Days Could I Get?”
Like with the discussions regarding your pay, these additional factors are best discussed at a later stage. Doing so otherwise, in the beginning, may lead to doubts about your motivation or work ethic. In the case that these factors are really important to you, a better approach is to ask about the company culture, wherein the interviewer can elaborate on their company policies.