Dump These Five Words Before the Interview

John Krautzel
Posted by in Career Advice


If you're lucky enough to land a job interview, you need to go into it feeling prepared, optimistic and confident. In addition to researching the company's mission and goals and practicing common interview questions, get to know the language that's appropriate for a job interview.

1. "We"

When describing the work you did for a previous employer, replace "we" statements with "I" statements that specifically detail the contribution you made to the organization. Rather than saying that "we handled customer phone calls," tell the hiring manager that "I provided superior customer service to an average of 50 callers per day." Use the same "I" statements to describe achievements or accomplishments that you as an individual made during the time in your job role.

2. "Vacation"

Don't ask about vacation time or benefits during a first-round job interview. During the interview, you want to portray yourself as an employee who is there to perform his duties and make a contribution to the employer; focusing on how many vacation days employees get makes you seem unprofessional and unmotivated. This type of question also makes you seem presumptuous. Save conversations about vacation and benefits until you have a job offer.

3. "Boss"

Don't talk negatively about your current or previous boss during a job interview. Rather than invoking sympathy from a hiring manager, talking about how horrible your boss is gives the impression that you're unprofessional, unhappy and hard to manage. If you're interviewing in the same industry, there's a chance that the hiring rep knows your boss, so it's never a good idea to badmouth previous or current employers.

4. "Workaholic"

Some interviewees think it's clever to claim that they're workaholics when asked about their weaknesses during a job interview. Avoid using this cliché response, as hiring managers are looking for genuine and honest answers instead of hackneyed words to avoid. Instead, provide a skill that you're not as confident in, such as public speaking or delegating responsibilities, and cite ways that you intend to improve upon this job skill.

5. "Challenge"

Stating to a hiring rep that you love a challenge does not provide enough information for him to get a sense of your qualifications and motivators. Everyone is challenged differently, so provide clear examples of the things that you find challenging. Cite challenges that you've faced in previous positions, and describe how you were able to meet and overcome those obstacles in the course of your career.

Using certain words or phrase during your meeting with hiring reps sets the tone of the job interview and gives those you're meeting with the wrong impression. Steer clear of these words to avoid during a job interview so you can get off on the right foot with the hiring manager.

 

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  • Eliot S.
    Eliot S.

    It is surprising how innocent words can make a difference. It is also surprising how often we don't even know we are saying them. This is why it is a good idea to have a mock interview with someone you respect. Regrading this article, while it makes good points, absolutes should be considered with caution. For example, the total absence of "we" could suggest a problem with working with groups or giving credit where due. Some other comments: Use of the word "boss" can also connote a subservience where it shouldn't be. A workaholic almost never sees himself as one, so saying that you are one both suggests that you aren't and that you find yourself unable to handle a normal workload. Likewise, using the word "challenge" may suggest that the work is hard for you.

  • Josephus T.
    Josephus T.

    Thanks for this advice and information. One can never be over-prepared for an interview - until the job is in the bag! Until then, 'Aluta Continua". Thanks again.

  • Tonnette S.
    Tonnette S.

    This information was very informative you will be surprised at what little pointers you can pick up along the way that will help you enhance your ability to guarantee you at least a call back or a second interview.

  • ILEANA M.
    ILEANA M.

    Helpful article. Thank you.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Druford thanks for the comment. Beyond is not an agency nor are we recruiters. We do not place candidates into positions. We post jobs for job seekers to review and submit their application. We wish you all the best in your endeavors.

  • Druford M.
    Druford M.

    This websites advice only gets you the job if the workplace is mega PC

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Loretta thanks for your comment. It is unbelievable that an Asst Dir would ask such as question let alone anyone else. I would have stood up and thanked them for their time and exited the room as quickly as possible. Good for you for sticking through until the end and for walking away from a job. Hopefully you found a great position where the word "micro-manage" is never uttered.

  • LORETTA FAHEEM
    LORETTA FAHEEM

    A few years ago, a major city government agency contacted me. I interviewed in front of 3 females, however, only one (1) asked me questions. Interestingly, I was asked to sit in a conference room, facing the Director. The sole person asking me questions was the Assistant Director. When I acknowledged some of the information I'd learned from their website, they seemed very surprised that I'd taken time to view it! Finally, the most idiotic question that I've ever been ask was this: as the Assistant Director scooched down in her seat, with her neck barely visible, she asked me "auh, how do you feel about micro-management?" Admittedly, you could hear a pin drop as they awaited my response...all 3 sets of eyes were on me. To this day, I do not recall what I said because I'm sure I was more than stunned by such a question. Know that among the questions I intended to ask was "what is your management style". Needless to say, there was no need.

  • Larry P.
    Larry P.

    That's good information I hope I can remember good sense

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Carmen no one likes that question. It's the same as "tell me a little bit about yourself" or "what is your greatest strength?" But you can't get around it - you have to answer and tell them why you would be the best person for the position.

  • Carmen B.
    Carmen B.

    The question I don't like is why I should hire you?

  • sunita sharma
    sunita sharma

    Informative n is helpful...

  • Thomas P.
    Thomas P.

    Good advice. I would also recommend avoiding the use of "like" and "ya know".....

  • Peter P.
    Peter P.

    The problem is that a significant portion of interviewers don't know what to ask, so they ask these idiotic questions (my all time favorite "Why should I hire you instead of other candidates?"... I don't know that's your job to decide). The questions like that (especially if they come from your would-be boss) should tell you that you don't want to work there. They indirectly tell you "our work is disorganized and lacks direction". Alas, we need jobs so instead of bowing out, we grin, answer dumb questions and hope for that phone call with the offer.

  • Harrilall S.
    Harrilall S.

    Advise is great

  • tatia  c.
    tatia c.

    very informative

  • sonji m.
    sonji m.

    Very helpful hints

  • Louis B.
    Louis B.

    Great Sage Advice thanks!!!

  • Anita S.
    Anita S.

    It is nice to be kept updated in the job market. And you have given me good information in this area. Thank you.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    Thanks for all of the great comments. It's great when we can learn from each other. Interviews are rough whether it's your first or your 100th doesn't really matter. Most of us, if we are honest, will admit that we hate interviewing and that it's very stressful. Many times all of the good information and knowledge that we have prior to going for the interview seems to just run out of our head when we are sitting across from the interviewer. The interview is to find out a bit more about you - in person - that they couldn't determine from your resume or cover letter. They want to get a human feel for you - to see your personality and how you react to certain questions or scenarios. Just keep your composure and remain calm. Don't try to talk when waiting for the next question from them. This is probably the hardest one - we hate silence so we chatter about something totally inane and end up tripping ourselves up. Just sit quietly and patiently. NEVER ask about benefits whether it's about salary, vacation or a parking spot. As soon as you do, the interview is over because the person sitting across from you is thinking... hmmm, all this candidate cares about is money and time off so I think I will move on to the next person. At the end of the interview you can ask for the next steps and always get the interviewers contact information so that you can follow up. If they say that they will call you and don't give you any of their information - move on. Remember, the interview goes both ways. You are interviewing the company at the same time that they are interviewing you. Don't be afraid to ask the interviewer about the company, about the job or even about why he/she works there. BUT, make sure that you have researched the company and don't ask questions where you already know the answer from you research. That will make the interviewer ask why you want to work there or tell me what you know about my company! Interviewing is tough enough without knowing what you are walking into. Do your due diligence prior to setting up that interview and you will do great. Best of luck to all of you.

  • Judith Seales-Jeffrey
    Judith Seales-Jeffrey

    Invaluable information

  • shelley w.
    shelley w.

    Don't ask if they will call you back either way. No one does that and makes you look needy or like you've been not hired before and that's not a good last impression

  • David R.
    David R.

    I notice that they do ask stupid question on a interview like "what your Favorite Program or What kind of Movies you like, which has nothing to do to why you are applying to the job. Then they give you a respond like " I have more People to interview, but I will let you know either way if you don't get hire or not" which is a way to tell you, forget it. You aren't even going to get a call. Another thing, don't believe that giving a Good Impression, gets you closer to the door. I try that, and it don't me S...t.

  • DOMENIC FEROCE
    DOMENIC FEROCE

    Benefits- NEVER ASK on the first interview. It shows preoccupation with yourself and not the company. wait until the 2nd interview or the offer. If you dont get the offer it doesnt matter anyway, and if you are made an offer, you will be told what they are. So dont ask.

  • DOMENIC FEROCE
    DOMENIC FEROCE

    The best way to answer the stupid "weakness" question is to think a minute, say "Well, if I HAD to pick one it's that..." and bring up something minor like "not really good in Excel". Then you make a rebutting statement like "But I realized it was a problem, took an evening course in Excel, so it's really not much of a problem for me anymore." That way you turn a weakness into a strength by showing that you are a problem solver and not just accepting of a weakness. A smart interviewer will accept that.

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