Job seekers are continually encouraged to sell their skills and experience during a job interview while also displaying their personality so the hiring manager can accurately gauge their interest, ability to communicate and ability to mesh well with company culture. However, taking a genuine approach to an interview does not mean it is appropriate to share personal details. Avoid divulging information that could eliminate you from consideration and leave a negative impression with potential employers.
1. Relationship Woes
Although hiring managers are often interested in learning about your personal interests or hobbies, relationships are too personal to discuss during a job interview and can create an informal tone to the professional meeting.
2. Financial Burdens
Show you want this position, but avoid over-explaining you need this position to rectify financial problems. Hiring managers are seeking employees who are interested in making an impact versus a candidate who is primarily interested in the paycheck.
3. Legal Problems
It is not in your best interest to dive into legal problems you may be facing due to financial, relationship or business issues. In fact, disclosing this information during a job interview can leave the employer skeptical of your ethics and standing in the community.
4. Political Preferences
Interview questions and responses should focus primarily on your experience and skill set. Although you can share personal stories that illustrate your ability to work as a team or volunteer in the community, political topics should not be on the table.
5. Religious Views
Keep your religious views to yourself when interviewing. Although it is perfectly acceptable to have strong faith, this topic is often too personal and controversial for the workplace. Your views may differ strongly from the hiring manager's views and could lead to intentional or unintentional discrimination.
6. Family Planning
Potential employers do not need to know how many children you have or wish to have; this information could impact their decision to hire you and leave them wondering if you have the availability to succeed in the position.
7. Chronic Illnesses
Although you may be struggling with an illness or injury, revealing this information during a job interview could leave the hiring manager pondering if you are physically able to complete the job tasks.
8. Time-Consuming Hobbies
Reveal your volunteering efforts within the community, but avoid discussing any time-consuming hobbies or efforts that could limit your availability. Hiring managers seek candidates who are available to meet deadlines without impending obligations that could lead to excessive time off.
9. Negative Work Experiences
Keep the tone positive during a job interview and avoid spouting off about how you were fired or miserable in previous positions. When interview questions ask you to reveal negative aspects of a previous job, detail what you learned as a result.
10. Poor Leadership
You may not agree with how previous supervisors led teams, but discussing these negative attributes can taint the interview and lead hiring managers to assume you are not able to work with team members cohesively or follow directions.
Revealing personal details can eliminate you from consideration and unfairly put you at a disadvantage when speaking with potential employers. Focus primarily on your skills, experience and desire to work for the company during a job interview to keep your professionalism in the forefront.
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