We talk a lot about what to say in at your interview, but here are some things to never, ever say.
When you are out there looking for the job of your dreams, being invited to an interview can be exciting and nerve-wracking. As you are preparing, there is a lot of information available on what you should say, how you should dress and other tips for what to do to make the best impression. And while that can be helpful, I thought it was a good idea to talk about what not to do during an interview.
Here are 6 things you should never say during an interview:
- Don't ask about the salary – During the interview, you shouldn't be the one bringing up money. If the interviewer mentions it, by all means – talk about it. If they don't, remember that your goal is to find out if the job is a good fit for you and get a job offer. So, concentrate on making a great impression. There will be time to negotiate salary after you have been offered the job.
- Don't ask them what the company does – If you are going to an interview and have no clue about what the company does, then you can't be surprised when you don't get a call back. Before even applying for a job you should do some research and at the least, have a basic idea of what the company is about.
- Don't use slang or chat speak – An interview is a professional situation and you should try to use professional language. Whether it is in person or in an email or thank you note, don't use abbreviation or “chat-speak”. It doesn't make you look cool, it just makes you look uneducated and unprofessional.
- Don't ask about benefits or vacation time – Many interviewers would be offended if you asked about vacation time before having received a job offer. Asking about these types of things is very forward and they leave the potential employer with the impression that you are more concerned about the benefits rather than the job.
- Don't use profanity – For some people, this one is difficult. If you tend to swear a lot in your private life, it can be difficult to censor yourself during the interview. But this isn't the time to demonstrate your colorful vocabulary. Employers are trying to determine how you would fit in the position and showing that you are unable to speak in a professional, non-offensive manner, they will probably decide that you aren't the person for the job.
- Don't talk bad about a former employer, co-worker, boss or competitor - An interview isn't the place for negativity. When you sling mud, you only get yourself dirty. It can be so tempting but always try to take the high road and say something positive about any topic.
What do you think are the most important things to never say during an interview? Let me know in the comments.
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By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for LogisticsJobsiteBlog, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.
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