Words you Should Avoid Using at a Job Interview

By Mrunal - Updated: November 3, 2018

In this Article

Things Not to Say in an Interview

There are words that could make your first impression turn into a disaster at an interview. You need to know what not to say in a job interview if you want to bag that open position. Learn the do’s and don’ts to hear your interviewer say, “You’re hired!”

Congratulations on your interview call! Now, it’s time to crack that hard nut. Acing a job interview isn’t rocket science, but taking a little extra care when choosing your words may be the decider on whether you reach the next round.

Things Not to Say in an Interview

1. Seemingly Innocent Fillers

You don’t want to sound unprofessional or crude in an interview. An old saying goes, ‘If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.’ Apply this formula to your interview to avoid ‘umming’ while you think of an answer. Words like ‘um’ and ‘er’ can kill your credibility and make you sound immature. Learn what to say and what not to say in job interviews before you set out.

2. The ‘Hate’ Word

Hate is too strong a word to use, especially when you’re facing an interviewer. It can make you sound mean and unfriendly. Consider it a forbidden word not to use in a job interview especially when talking about others and your old boss. You could be a mature adult but when you use this word, everything else you say will go unheard.

3. Sure, Kinda, Cool

These words are too casual and should be erased from your job-preparing vocabulary. They give the impression that you don’t quite know what to say. Use factual examples and ‘yes’ and ‘no’ instead of highlighting these words. You’ll ooze confidence and your interviewer will know that you’re a woman who has it all together.

Things Not to Say in an Interview

4. Sorry

Remember, you don’t get a second chance to make the first impression. It’s wise to do your homework and prepare yourself rather than apologising for something you don’t know. Try not to use the word ‘sorry’ unless you actually bump into the hiring manager. Believe in yourself and in your abilities so that you can impress your interviewer.

5. What

‘What’ is one of the words you should not use at a job interview as it shows that you aren’t prepared to listen. It may also convey the message that you’re not interested in the conversation and that you’re interviewing the boss. So set your tone right and when you want to ask a question, start with a more polite ‘Can you tell me about…?’ or ‘I’d like to know about…’

6. I Don’t Know

‘I don’t know’ is seen as a negative word and can actually hurt your chance of bagging an interview. Even if you’re clueless about your interviewer’s question, try to come up with an answer. The aim of such questions is to probe into your thought process and see how quickly you think.

These job interview preparation tips can help you ace that upcoming employment opportunity. Take the time to prep yourself days beforehand. Rehearse in front of a mirror or ask a friend to interview you. Choose your words carefully and speak them with confidence. Show your passion and your strengths in the right way to see green signals at your interview.

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