Don’t Let These Phrases Ruin Your Job Interview

 

It isn’t easy to sit across from a hiring manager and talk about your experience. Often, you have a variety of talking points you’ve reviewed in advance that you are trying to remember while also being ready to answer any question that wasn’t as expected. Add to that at least a bit of nervousness, and it’s easy to see how some things might not go to plan.

However, there are certain phrases that can take you from being a top candidate to quickly being passed over. So, the next time you find yourself in the hot seat, make sure you don’t let these ruin your job interview.

“I don’t see myself here long-term.”

Regardless of where you see yourself in the next few years, you never want to give the impression that this job is just a quick stopping point along your career path. The hiring manager is looking at you as a potential investment, in time, money, and even training. Suggesting you won’t be around long enough for them to benefit from their investment is an easy way to get passed over.

Even if you don’t intend to stay for long, it is best to keep that information to yourself. Additionally, the position may offer the potential for future growth which does fit into your long-term planning, meaning you’ll have blown a great opportunity right out of the gate.

“Can you tell me what this company does?”

Anyone can get basic information on what a company does with some basic internet-based research. Failing to get these details on your own suggests you aren’t as interested in the company as you claim to be. Before going into an interview, look through the organization’s website and get an overview. Then, if you want more details, phrase the question in a way that suggests you understand the basics but want to dig deeper. That approach can actually work in your favor, instead of to your detriment.

“What are the important skills for this position?”

This is another area that should be researched prior to the interview and not during. The more critical skills will be outlined in the job announcement, and asking about them suggests you didn’t really read through the posting. However, if the advertisement was fairly general, it is appropriate to ask more targeted questions to fill in the gaps, such as those related to the kinds of projects one could expect to encounter or what an average day in the position entails.

“Can you tell me about the salary?”

While salary is an important topic to cover before accepting a position, it is inappropriate to broach the subject during the initial interview. If you are deemed to be a top candidate, and an offer is potentially in the future, the company will likely start this conversation as part of the process. However, if you ask the question too early, it can make it appear that the only thing that matters to you is the money.

“I don’t have any questions.”

Most interviews end with the opportunity to ask questions. In reality, this opportunity is actually a reflection of an expectation to do so. Not having any questions may look as though you aren’t as interested in the position since you aren’t looking to learn anything additional. Instead of letting this moment pass you by, take it as an invitation to explore areas about which you are curious including those associated with the specifics of job duties, work environment, or the team.

By properly preparing for an interview and avoiding some of the phrases above, you can position yourself to be more successful along the way. If you are looking for more tips or are exploring new job opportunities, The Advance Group can help you keep your career moving forward. Contact us to speak about your employment goals today.

 

 

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