8 Interview Phrases Your Hiring Manager Will Remember for All the Wrong Reasons
We've all been guilt of word vomiting from time to time. Interviews can be nerve-wracking, and sometimes you say things that you might immediately regret. To help you to avoid spurting out the wrong thing, however, we've rounded up eight phrases that could spoil your own interview.
Even if you're the most qualified candidate for the job, these are some serious interview mistakes.
1. "I need this job because I could really use the money."
Never admit that the reason you're interested in a job is solely for the money. Hiring managers want to see candidates who care about the mission of the company and who share the same values. Maybe you want the money, but you should come up with a reason more meaningful than that.
2. "I actually don't know much about the company, but I'd love to hear more."
It's your responsibility to do your homework before an interview. You should have studied up on the company before you went for the interview if you want the job badly enough. Therefore, you shouldn't admit if you don't know much about the company. That said, it's OK to ask questions.
3. "Sorry, can you remind me who you are again?"
Again, it's your job to do your research on a company and your interviewers before your interview. You should know about the hiring manager or human resources professional who will be interviewing you.
4. "My biggest weakness is that I tend to procrastinate!"
A common interview question is about your biggest weakness, and you certainly should answer this question honestly. That said, it's best to come up with an answer that isn't so objectively disconcerting, and then also follow it up with how you move ahead, despite your weaknesses.
5. "I couldn't stand my last boss, so I had to quit."
The last thing you do at your job interview is badmouth your previous boss. You don't want your potential new boss thinking that you might do the same to them.
6. "I don't love this line of work, but I'm good at it."
Maybe you don't love the line of work that you're in, but you don't need to admit that to your potential new manager. You can (and should) highlight why you're good at what you do, but you don't have to share the full truth.
7. "I don't really need this job."
And the hiring manager doesn't really need you.
8. "I'm interested in this job because of the benefits/salary."
Maybe the benefits sound great, and the salary is super enticing. That's all well and good. But you need another reason for being interested in the job — like the company culture, the role models in the company, the vision, specific projects the company is working on, etc.
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AnnaMarie Houlis is a feminist, a freelance journalist and an adventure aficionado with an affinity for impulsive solo travel. She spends her days writing about women’s empowerment from around the world. You can follow her work on her blog, HerReport.org, and follow her journeys on Instagram @her_report, Twitter @herreport and Facebook.
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