What not to say in an interview?
Are you saying things that could be making it difficult for
you to get into your next role?
Sometimes, it doesn’t take much to spoil your chances in a
job interview. They may seem like simple things, but to hirers, they could be a
deal-breaker.
To get you prepared, HOBAN Recruitment has given you some tips that will help you ensure you don’t say things that could be a barrier between you and your next awesome opportunity.
Don’t badmouth your team or boss
Be careful not to say anything harsh about your previous teammates,
managers, or the business. It could come across as spiteful
and make you seem difficult to work with.
“I hate my job”
When asked why you are leaving your current job, make sure
you say it is for positive reasons like “I am looking for a job with career
progression” or “I want something more challenging”.
“What do you make here?”
Do you know the basics about the business? At the bare minimum,
make sure to Google them, look at their website, read the about us page, visit
their social pages, and get a feel for what they do and why you would want to
work there. The more you know, the better.
Don’t overshare
Some small talk is ok, but don’t go too deep into details about
your personal life.
Know when to stop
Keep it to the point! If your responses drag on for too long,
you will spend time that could be spent going over more critical details. Practice
some succinct answers that include the essential information.
“What time is happy hour?”
Avoid any party talk, this can turn some employers off
immediately.
Swearing
In some industries, it may be common, however, many people find
cursing very coarse and will automatically strike you off their list.
Tell the truth
There is a chance your new boss will speak to your old
employers, so make sure you don’t embellish on your experience. Also, it can be
a small community in many industries, so word can get around.
Excessive buzzwords and acronyms
Avoid “disruptive, unprecedented synergistic pivots”, it doesn’t
impress anyone. Please keep away from acronyms unless they are universal
industry standard terms.
“When do I get to go on holiday?”
Especially on the first interview, make sure not to ask about
holiday leave. It may come up later.
“No, no questions”
At the end of any interview, you will have the chance to ask
your own questions, this very important opportunity should not be wasted. It shows
that you are interested in the business and what it can offer you as a new
employee.
Make sure you have at least a few questions up your sleeve
to ask your interviewer.
A few examples are:
What are the things you like most about working here?
You will be hoping for some definitive, confident answers
that fit your working style.
What will be some of the more challenging parts of the
role?
This is good to know, especially if the problems they may be
facing are within your skill set.
How would you describe the culture of this organisation?
You want to find out if the organisation has the same values
as you, views on work-life balance, and if the day-to-day reality of the role
will be something that will satisfy you.
We have some more tips on questions to ask at the end of an interview in our blog that can be found here: Important Questions to Ask Employers in an Interview
If you’re looking for a new opportunity, make sure you
register for HOBAN’s new opportunities today at www.hoban.com.au/register-your-interest/
Or viewing our vacancies on our job search
page: https://www.hoban.com.au/jobs/
