Most of us know that looking for a job can be a job in itself, but there are few things in life more dreaded than the job interview. Even if you remember to spit out your gum and offer a firm and confident handshake, there is a myriad of conversational land-mines which must be avoided. CNN in partnership with CareerBuilder has assembled 8 things that you shouldn’t say during a job interview. The list, inside…
8. “And another thing I hate…”
Rants are appropriate for your best friend or your blog, but not interviews. You don’t want to come across as a whiner.
7. “As Lady Macbeth so eloquently put it…”
Such statements could make your answers seem scripted, and if your pretentious reference flies over the head of your interviewer, you’ve just scored -1.
6. “Are you an active member in your church?”
If you are trying to make small-talk, you should avoid topics that may be controversial.
5. “How long until I get a promotion?”
Even though you may be goal oriented, such a question may come off as if you feel entitled or special. Try a more tactful way to get this information.
4. “I’m going to need to take these days off.”
If you say this too early in the interview process it may appear as though you are assuming you got the job.
3. “No, I don’t have any questions for you.”
This could indicate that you lack interest. Even if you have all the information you need, you should try to ask a few serious questions.
2. “I don’t know anything about the company.”
This might make your interviewer think you are too lazy to use Google.
1. “I hated my last boss.”
There is a fine line between honest person and trash-talker. Be careful how strongly you criticize your last employer.
8 worst things to say in an interview [CNN]
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4. “I’m going to need to take these days off.”
There’s been a couple different times when looking to switch jobs that I needed to be upfront about time I needed off soon after taking the job. A cousin’s wedding in another state, for example, that was happening only a month after my start date. I wouldn’t say it the way they did, but I’d rather my potential employer know that I had future plans and factor them into my hiring than make them feel blindsided but announcing it the week after I get the job. “Thanks for hiring me! I need to take time off.”
[Apologies if this is a double post]
@TorrentFreak: Is it an interview or am I apply for a credit card?
IIRC, it’s to gauge how financially responsible you are in the event you’re going to be in charge of project budgets.
It can also be used to as an integrity check.
eg. You’re $50K in credit card debt, and a competitor approaches you with $50K in exchange for sensitive company information. You might be considered a risk.
When interviewing, I’ve never failed to get a positive response out of the question, “How do you measure success here? What would you say makes a successful employee?”
Good suggestions, but let’s be honest – if you don’t have the common sense required to assume these, you’ve got bigger problems than looking for a job.
@mac-phisto: Funny thing is, I’ve worked with people who took and passed those personality tests, and they were horrible workers. None of those questions have anything to do with how well you work – they’re all about how happy and upbeat and carefree you are. So since these test-passers are so carefree and happy, they don’t care if they do anything wrong at the job. I am a damn fine worker and have never passed one of those things in my life. I once had an interview with a store’s manager, who was falling all over himself about how great I was and let’s get me started as soon as possible. Took the test – failed – no hire. Total BS.
Stare intently at family photo of interviewer and after interview ask if Daughter/Son is single (younger is better here folks) if they have no children then ask if they swing.
@Balisong: yeah, that pretty much sums up my entire issue with HR as a whole. they try to compartmentalize everything & as a result, they’ve created the very workforce that’s responsible for a majority of complaints on this site.
tests are shit. stock interview questions are shit. that “take me to lunch to see if i offer you the bread first” nonsense is shit.
& so, when you ask me “where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?” it doesn’t really matter what i actually say. what i’m thinking is vice president of your division, firing your stupid ass for asking ridiculous questions that result in hiring inept employees.
@MercuryPDX
People don’t take bribes for info because they need to pay bills they do it because they are greedy.
bad credit doesn’t make you dishonest nor does it mean you are a bad worker.
@me and the sysop: “What is your biggest weakness?” is my all time most hated question. What do they expect people to say: “Deadlines a problem for me.” “I’m afraid of people” “Blondes”?
@rodeobob: A while ago I interviewed for at a job at Clorox and it was fine until they asked if they could perform a “Behavioral Interview”. It was the weirdest thing I ever sat through and I just about walked out. I guess they might learn a lot about interviewees (I can just hear some VP asking HR “Well, didn’t you ask her if she was a serial killer before you hired her?”) but it made me decide I didn’t want to work there. I didn’t go back for the second interview.
@Landru: If I hit the “biggest weakness” question, it means your answers were so short and uninspiring that I have run out of things to ask you. I’m pretty sure I’ve been out of good questions at the 7 minute mark before.
@TorrentFreak: bad credit doesn’t make you dishonest nor does it mean you are a bad worker.
I completely agree…. just saying those are the pat answers for why they want your credit info.
@TorrentFreak: From Yahoo ( [hotjobs.yahoo.com] )
Again… I don’t agree with the practice, just giving you the “Why”.
@induscreed: re: Perfectionism as weakness
This is arguably the lamest answer in the history of interviewing. It’s as if they expect me to say, “Wow, this guy works too hard. I would actually love to hire someone who works too hard. If that is his weakness, he must be a superstar!”
Nothing like a former recruiting director to tell it like it is: [www.jobbound.com]
@MercuryPDX: Awful. I agree that your credit has nothing to do with how you work. My mother filed bankruptcy in the past and my brother never remembers to pay his bills, but they’re both fantastic workers (as long as my brother doesn’t have a job that requires him to think too hard).
My newest applying for a job pet peeve is references. Noone allows them to be given anymore because of legal issues, but everyone wants them when you apply. This job I just got required them, yet doesn’t allow them to be given out! I was so desperate I had to call up people I worked with in retail 5 years ago, which makes me look ridiculous to the job I’m applying to.
A way to dodge the compensation question early on, a trick to weed out those who are going to ask more than they want to pay prior to discovering your The One You Really Want.
“I’d like to discuss compensation after we both decide that I’m a candidate for the final round.” or some such deflection that lets the interviewer know you’re not going to say but you’re not standing firm on a number.
Also, please add don’t use street lingo/slang or shorthand language. I actually interviewed someone who when I said something they thought was funny “that’s LOL!” saying LOL as it were a word. Try to use complete sentences in a language that most of the business world, in America, would comprehend.
Asking for the time frame for decisions and asking if there is another round or is this the decision making round is appropriate. It tells me that the person is interested, saying that as you leave is also information I’d welcome, and it also tells me that the person understands that there may be more than one layer to the job i.e. management etc.
But as someone else wrote, dress up, even if you’re interviewing for an entry level position, dress one level up from what you want. Don’t wear jeans, I don’t care if they’re $200 and have some designers name on the ass. If we are a casual office when you get the job, then please dress as you are comfortable – within the limits of the office please.
@MercuryPDX:
In California (I don’t know about other states) you have the right to obtain free copies of anything the employer uses to make the final decision. Credit reports, background checks etc.
There should be a check box and if not write on the form you wish a copy, when you receive these documents READ THEM CAREFULLY, if anything on their is incorrect or potentially damaging contact the employer to explain.
Don’t know if that 3-5 stint for drug running is easily explained but who knows honesty may work to your advantage. You can always say you learnt new skills.
@TorrentFreak:
“People don’t take bribes for info because they need to pay bills they do it because they are greedy.”
Actually, people tend to steal from companies/take bribes/commit fraud because of a combination of three factors: opportunity, motive, and rationalization. (I’m an accountant, and yes, we do study these things) Employers can and do limit opportunities for losses, but motive & rationalizations occur purely within the employee’s sphere of influence.
A prospective employee with a large amount of “bad” (high-interest, unsecured) debt has some level of motive to commit fraud/steal/take bribes. The larger their debt load is, the more motive they would have to steal. An astonishing number of employee thefts start small (“I just need a little cash to cover me until payday”) and snowball.
A prospective employee with a history of defaulting on debts **may** indicate a willingness to rationalize bad behavior in not repaying debt. Combined with a high current debt load, that scenario I just mentioned becomes increasingly likely.
Now the disclaimer: the above concerns should ONLY apply to potential employees who would have the OPPORTUNITY to steal/commit fraud/otherwise take money from the company. Salesperson? Probably. Filing clerk? Not so much so. Administrative assistant? Depends, do they have access to Petty Cash or the company credit card? Computer Engineer? Probably not. Lead Computer Engineer on top secret project? Probably yes.
As far as 3 goes:
When they ask if I have any questions, I often find that a prepared interviewer will already have answered them or I’ve asked them along the way. I never just say “No,” though. I’ll usually give it a moment of thought and at least say “I think you answered most of them as we went along.” Usually just saying that will kick my memory a bit, though, so then I can segue into “Oh, I did want to ask…”
But if not, at least I sound like I started with questions, rather than simply being devoid of curiosity.
Oh, and there’s always this: [thedailywtf.com]
@battra92: That would depend. Do some research on the company. Call ahead or speak to a receptionist when you pick up an application, they’re usually more then willing to let you in on dress code tips and policies. Where I work, women are still required to wear nylons, they could only wear slacks starting 2 years ago, and men are ALWAYS in ties. If you show up in a top-button-undone and no-tie here, you won’t make a good impression.
@rodeobob: correlation does not imply causation.
presuming that people with bad credit are thieves is akin to presuming that because i have a mohegan sun players’ card, i’m going to steal $10 million from my employer (incidentally, “owning mahoney” is on my short-list of “best movies of all time”).
Is there an easier job than writing these listicles for CareerBuilder?
Seriously, who would say any of these things? That article is helpful only to the clueless. And honestly, who wants those people to get hired in the first place?
Let’s talk about the 8 things most reasonable and intelligent people would think to say but shouldn’t.
Regarding the days off thing – that’s discussed when you’re offered the job. Anytime before that is premature and assuming which makes you come off as a self-important (not to mention lazy) jerk. Once you have the offer, however, you can negotiate that just like anything else before you accept. Sheesh.
@mac-phisto: When I was hiring for sales people the credit check was important. When someone came in claiming that they made 100k plus in commissions the last 3 years but had multiple credit card collections it sent up major red flags. The biggest thing with credit/background check is TELL THEM FIRST. You had a BK two years ago? Tell me when you hand me the credit authorization. You have a criminal issue tell me during the interview. It doesnt disqualify you when you tell me in advance.
If you burp during an interview, at least have the decency to apologize and look embarassed.
And that’s not a hypothetical, either.
@BuddyGuyMontag: The job market here sucks ass unless you are looking to work as a cube drone in a call center. And even those jobs are drying up. One of the many reasons I’m moving back East.
Do the secrataries give hand jobs here? My last office was a cup of coffe and a happy ending.
@Superawesomerad: Oh man, no kidding. Easiest gig ever.
Ways to Get a Promotion, by CareerBuilder:
1) Get a job. Without a job, you can’t get promoted.
2) Work hard. You may find that being a lazy sack of crap can be a turnoff to employers.
3) Come up with good ideas. Good ideas are good.
4) Don’t be a jerk to people. If you are, you won’t be liked.
5) Apply for the position when your company lists it. Nothing worse than not getting a promotion because you didn’t apply! Remember, the hiring manager can’t read your mind.
6) Attend the interview. If not, chances are you may miss your opportunity.
7) Wear clean clothes for your interview. Being dirty and stinky can sometimes be a turnoff.
8) Say thank you at the end of the interview. This goes along with not being a jerk.
9) Don’t go to your current boss and say, “I’m outta here, a-hole!” That may cause a bad impression.
10) Make sure your phone works so that when they call you to offer the promotion, you can accept. Also, remember to say yes, if you don’t, you won’t get that promotion you worked so hard for!
@rodeobob
That’s ridiculous. Credit scores have nothing to do with character. I mean you read consumerist for Christ’s sake, so you should know how many times people get screwed over on FICA scores. It mean diddily squat. You should look at the person not their relative FICA score that may or may not be in their control. What matters most is what your friends and family think of you. That is what translates to good work ethic.
Stupid rules like needing a credit score for a job is just a bull shit rule they use to filter people in an arbritary way when there are many applicants.
I would bet good money crime bosses and gangsters have amazing credit. Doesnt mean you should trust them.
@facingtraffic: if you’re rocking visible piercings or ink, cover, remove, or downplay them. Long-sleeve shirts have gotten me a thousand jobs (just subscribe to the Brian Setzer rule of “No tattoos where the judge can see’em”). Most piercings come out easy, but if you’re styling gauges, choose a conservative pair: no bright colors, no translucents, no fleshtunnels. Find an opaque, solid pair that go well with your skin tone and hair color so that they are not distracting. High-contrast/color/shiny items will draw attention from what you’re saying, and that is the most important part of the interview process. That’s just a general rule right there.
Good luck.
Re: upcoming days off, it might depend on your industry. In my line of work, its virtually a given that before you get offered the job, you’ll undergo two interviews. I never admit to needing time off in the first interview, but I might in the second interview. It might also depend on finding out the hiring time frame. Are they interviewing for a month and won’t decide for another 2 weeks after that, or are they looking for someone to start asap?
I know that its illegal to ask about one’s marriage/family status in an interview, but I was always very up front about it. I wanted my new employer to know from the git-go that I needed to be off work by 5pm on a usual basis (sometimes can stay late, but not on a regular expected basis). My last job always made me feel guilty if I left before 6:30pm, even if I was in the office before 8am. I didn’t want to work in a similar place.
@venterminator: Or for a slightly more classical version: “My heel.”
Maybe you could come up with a top 10 list of heroes’ weaknesses to use as a response…kryptonite, my heel, my wife…etc.
@TorrentFreak: Employers don’t get credit scores, but we do get a look at someone’s credit report (the specific line items). The value is always debatable, but it’s usually true that if someone has massive credit problems, there will be problems in other areas as well.
As an HR professional, I’ll throw out some pet peeves…
1. Don’t argue with me.
2. Don’t argue with me about the positions we have open. I’ve been doing this job a while, I know how to do it. Chances are that since I work there and deal with them every day, I know what positions we have open, despite what your friend told you.
3. For the love of God, bathe.
4. Being rude to HR = no job. It’s just that simple.
5. If your interview is at 11 and you show up at 10 because you’re new in town and weren’t sure how long it will take you to get there, that’s fine, but don’t ask “What’s taking so long?” or “Are you busy or something?” if it’s 20 minutes before your scheduled interview time. I do have a job to do and you are on the schedule at a specific time for a specific reason.
6. If we haven’t called you after 3 weeks, we’re not interested. We try to get back to the people we interview, but we’re a staff of 4. When you get 1,000 applications a week, you can’t call everyone or send everyone a letter telling them they are not being considered. Don’t call to complain that you haven’t been called. You can call to make sure we’ve received your application…sometimes this helps when you consider the volume of applications we get. But don’t call and bitch us out.
7. If you have to ask what a position is, there’s a good chance you don’t know how to do it.
8. If the position requires computer skills, don’t request a paper application once you’ve been told the applications are done via Internet.
9. Don’t apply to a position that you don’t know what it is. You can ask. We’ll tell you.
10. We can see the screen names you create. If your screenname is “longdongsilver2″(it happened)…we’re going to probably avoid you. If you can’t keep your application appropriate, how can we guarantee you’ll be appropriate in the workplace.
11. If you took time off of work to stay with your kids, just say that. If you put any crap about “Domestic Engineer”…well, that’s not going to fly.
12. If we are open from 8-4:30…do not come in to complete an application at 4:25. If you can’t make it during business hours, call us – we can make arrangements.
13. If you are hired and we tell you we need something, then we need it. Don’t argue with us. It is required by law that we have your I-9 documentation, no matter how clearly American you are.
14. Did I mention don’t argue with me? If I say something is wrong, go ahead and ask about it…I may have said something wrong…
15. Don’t get in my face. I’m a nice guy. Trying to intimidate me is the least likely way to get you a job.
16. We have caller ID. Don’t pretend to call giving references for yourself..
I just started working a sales job and I was giving an answer to this question…
“Name a time when you noticed a problem that was causing you employer to lose money and explain the steps you took to solve it.”
Pretty big question for a retail job… but I went on to explain some drab concept, (most of it was made up..) But I said the phrase “Profit Margin” and then the interviewer said “In all the years and interviews I have had, I have never heard someone mention the words profit margin…”
Needless to say, I have the job. I guess sometimes it pays to know what to say and how to say it at the right time. If not, you come across as an asshole, like the person that did the 8 things listed above in this post.
@PHX602: I told my interviewer when he asked me to “tell me about yourself” to “Now, any place I want to work will be able to ask better questions than this. Good talking to you. Cheers and best of luck.” I put down the phone and the guy’s supervisor called back 10 minutes later and offered me the job.
Of course, this was when anyone with a pulse (and some without, from what I saw a few months on) could and did get hired.