Question Proposed on LinkedIn: What Are Things You Should Never Say During An Interview?

Others’ Responses:

– “I’m here to interview you as well. I have a couple questions that I intend to ask you."Though it’s true that the interview should be a two-way street, there is such a thing as being too aggressive. You will have an opportunity to ask questions. Don’t announce your intention to do so. It’s not necessary, and it’s bad form. Instead, simply ask questions throughout the interview or wait until the interviewer asks if you have any questions.

– “Before we go further, what is the salary for the position? I don’t want to waste your time nor mine.”Making this negative statement puts the interviewer on the defensive. He’ll question your intentions and most likely go through the formality of the interview having already eliminated your candidacy. The statement is also a tactical error because salary is always flexible. Requesting the interviewer reveal salary before you had the opportunity to sell yourself will surely backfire because the interviewer didn’t have the chance to assess your skills. If you have a notion that the may be salary is too low, remain calm, go through the motions of the interview, and hear want the interviewer has to say. You might be surprised by the outcome.

– “I’m not sure I want this position.”Reason to avoid: An interview setting is not a confessional. Your interview goal is to receive a job offer, even if you aren’t sure if you want the job. Set aside your unenthusiastic inner thoughts, and focus your energy on discovering information about the position and the hiring organization.

– Geez, I can think of a bunch more things not to say during an interview. For example: "I can’t believe you asked that question.” “Do you really get paid for doing this?” “Seriously, you dressed yourself this morning, didn’t you?” And, with a more leeway in language than afforded by this public forum, I could give you some even better examples. My point? There are a million things to not say during an interview.

– On the other hand, saying “I’m not sure I want this position” (or a variation along that theme) might not be so bad if it comes after the interviewer has told you enough about the role to enable you to come to that conclusion. A client had an interview for a job that had been advertised. He had applied on the basis of the description provided in the job advertisement. At face value, the role seemed to be a good fit with his background and career aspirations. However, after finding out more about the role during the course of the interview, it became apparent that the role was quite different to the description provided in the advertisement. And it was the kind of role he didn’t want. While he didn’t jump down the recruitment consultants throat in an aggressive way to tell him that the interview was a waste of time, he did ask why there seemed to be such a big difference between the information provided in the ad and what he had just been told. He said that while he didn’t think that the role as it was now being described was such a good fit for him and took the opportunity to help the consultant understand the kinds of roles he would be interested in. This left the door open and led to interviews for roles more closely aligned with his experience and aspirations.

– While the three questions listed should be quickly seen as nonsensical, the primary point of taking great care in what one says and how one says it cannot be over-emphasized. A terrific resume is an important starting point. Expertise in your industry of choice is a good thing. That said, in the job candidate fails to establish a good rapport, a comfort level with the company representative, there most likely will be no job offer. Put it another way. While the three questions listed are self-evident, the primary point regarding the necessity of good interviewing skills is spot-on.

– To get an interview, is a privilege, to me. You are taking their time and time is precious. If you behave like a knuclkehead, that onus is on you. Stupid, rude questions by the interviewee are not acceptable. Do your homework before going on the interview. If you need some coaching, seek that out. Why would I hire you? Is a questions the interviewer may be thinking. You’ve answered that.

My Response:

– Ace your interview. Do not ask things you think are going to make the interview uncomfortable. Do not ask things you can research on your own. Do not ask things that puts the employer “on the spot.” Ask smart, educated questions and treat this like it’s a means to enhancing your livelihood…because it is. Interviews are not something to scoff at.