If you say these things in a job interview, don’t expect an offer

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If you say these things in a job interview, don’t expect an offer

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Every little thing you say (yes, even just one sentence) during a job interview shapes whether the hiring manager thinks you’re right for the job.

And sometimes it can be tempting to give an answer that felt right in the moment, but in retrospect was extremely bad and made you look weak or average. That’s why it’s important to remember in advance what to resist saying.

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Here are six answers to avoid if you want to increase your chances of getting an offer, along with tips and examples of what to say instead:

1. “I’m a motivated individual.”

I’ve heard so many candidates say this in response to questions about their professional strengths or notable characteristics.

This is an extremely overused response, and if you find yourself saying it, the best-case scenario is that your interviewer will ask you to elaborate. The worst (and likely) scenario? They won’t be impressed because they’ve heard it so many times, and they’ll move on.

A more appropriate response might be, “I’m not afraid to take the lead on projects and can do it with a little guidance,” followed by an example of a time you successfully did this.

2. “Five years from now, I hope to be in your shoes.”

Don’t think your potential boss will be flattered by this answer; they’ll just find him lazy and thoughtless.

And even if they are at an impressive level in their career, they may assume that you imagine being where they are – just in a different company. This shows a lack of commitment.

Instead, outline potential ways you see yourself growing in the organization. Start with the position you’re interviewing for and highlight some key skills needed for the job and how you can build on those skills.

This shows that you not only care about your career advancement, but that you will be dedicated to helping the company grow in the long term.

3. “I didn’t like my previous boss.”

Never speak ill of a former boss, no matter how bad the experience may have been.

When asked why you left a job, it’s okay to admit that it’s not appropriate. Honesty is a valuable trait, but be careful how you express things.

Instead, you can say that you’ve realized your passion and want to change careers. Or maybe you’re looking for something more challenging. It’s also a good idea to mention at least one thing you learned from your previous job that could help you succeed in the role you’re applying for.

If you were fired, explain the situation without taking or assigning blame. Talk about what you could have done differently to change the outcome. This shows self-awareness and the ability to grow from negative experiences.

4. “My biggest weakness is being a perfectionist.”

No one is perfect, so this response is basically another way of saying, “I’m too weak to admit any weaknesses.”

This is a behavioral question that managers take seriously, so prepare a thorough answer. I always recommend asking former bosses and colleagues you trust for feedback.

Send them a list of the top skills needed for the position and ask them to rank it based on what they think are your strongest to weakest.

In the end, it all comes down to being honest about what you need to work on, giving some examples, and then discussing how you plan to work on those weaknesses.

5. “Can you tell me more about the company?”

Believe it or not, I’ve seen even the most qualified candidates ask this question in different ways (eg “What are the main goals of your company?” or “What does your company do?”).

The hiring manager took the time to read your resume and learn about your experience, so you’re expected to do the same and take the time to research them.

It’s fine to ask them to develop very specific questions (eg, “What are your team’s monthly goals?”), but going into the interview with little information about the company is insulting and will make a bad first impression.

6. “What do your perks and benefits look like?”

Yes, it is unwise to take any job without knowing what your employees’ income will be. But you should never bring it up early in the interview process because it will only make the employer doubt your true intentions.

Remember, the purpose of the first few interviews is to determine whether you should continue to compete for the position. So topics involving bonuses and benefits are irrelevant if you don’t even make it past those early rounds.

JT O’Donnell is the founder and CEO of Work every day, an online platform designed to help people solve their biggest career problems. She has more than 15 years of experience in recruitment, selection and career coaching. For career advice, follow her on TikTok @jtodonnell.

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