What to Avoid Saying in Job Interviews

In the last 20+ years, I have conducted hundreds of interviews. In that time, I’ve seen so many candidates sabotage themselves by saying 1 of 5 things: 1. “I don’t have any weaknesses.” (or give me a fake one like ‘i’m too organized’) That either signals you’re unaware or hiding something. Instead: Share a real (but manageable) weakness and how you work around it. It builds trust, and helps you avoid jobs where that weakness would derail you. Example: "I sometimes get overwhelmed by ambiguous projects. I've learned to ask clarifying questions upfront and break large tasks into smaller, concrete steps." ____ 2. “It’s all on my resume.” Hiring managers read hundreds of resumes daily. We literally forget what was on which resume between interviews. Instead: Re-express your resume highlights with insight. Add context: what you learned, why you left, what you loved. That's what they'll remember. ____ 3. “What’s the bonus and raise schedule?” You're asking "How will you reward me before I've proven my value?" Bonuses depend on performance and company profits, impossible to predict. The better question: "What are the ways I can know I'm being successful in this role?" This reveals how they measure and celebrate success while showing you're focused on performance first. ____ 4. “I hated my last boss.” Even if true, it backfires. There's a phenomenon called "spontaneous trait transference." When you say negative words about others, the interviewer's brain unconsciously associates those traits with YOU. Say your boss is "disorganized" and they'll start questioning YOUR organization skills. Safe alternatives: • "It wasn't the right fit" • "The timing wasn't great for us" • "I felt it was important to move on" Most hiring managers understand something didn't work without the details. ____ 5. Any question you can Google • “What’s your mission” • “What does your company do?” •“How you’re different from your competitor?” Asking about company size, basic mission, or job responsibilities (all available online) screams "I didn't prepare." Research-based questions that impress: • "What challenges is the team currently facing?" • "What does success look like in the first 90 days?" • "Based on your experience here, what do you enjoy most about the company culture?" Remember: You want the interview to feel like a conversation, not an interrogation. The more casual and natural you can make it feel, the better rapport you'll build. When they're just reading through your resume like a checklist, nobody's connecting—and connection is what gets you hired. What's the worst interview mistake you've made or witnessed?

I've conducted thousands of interviews, and there are certain things candidates say that instantly hurt their chances, even when they're otherwise perfect for the role. Here's the brutal truth: there's a difference between being transparent and being strategically smart in interviews. 10 things you should never share in an interview: 1. Personal health issues - Unless it directly affects job performance, don't mention it. You're just giving them reasons to worry about reliability. 2. Why you hate your current boss - Shows poor judgment and unprofessionalism. I immediately question your discretion and wonder what you'll say about us later. 3. Salary desperation - Never say you "need" the money or job. It kills your negotiation power and makes you look desperate. 4. Family planning details - Pregnancy plans, childcare issues - they legally can't ask anyway, so don't volunteer this information. 5. Age-related comments - "I know I'm older but..." just highlights potential concerns that weren't even on my radar. 6. Negative company reviews - Don't bash previous employers, even if it's justified. It reflects poorly on your professionalism. 7. Personal financial problems - Keep money troubles private. Financial stress suggests potential workplace distractions. 8. Lack of experience - Don't point out what you CAN'T do. Focus on what you bring to the table. 9. Interview anxiety - "Sorry, I'm really nervous" makes them nervous about you, too. Project confidence instead. 10. Overqualification concerns - Don't give them reasons to think you'll leave. I want to believe you genuinely want this position. The goal is simple: show them how you solve their problems, not give them reasons to hesitate. What communication strategies have you found most effective for maintaining professional focus during interviews? Sign up to my newsletter for more corporate insights and truths here: https://vist.ly/3yg3c #deepalivyas #eliterecruiter #recruiter #recruitment #jobsearch #corporate #interviewstrategy #candidatecommunication #careerstrategist

I asked 20+ senior hiring managers a simple question: What makes you reject a candidate instantly? Here's what they said. Every day or the other I see job seekers complaining about getting rejected in interviews. It looks like mass rejection has become the new norm. Being a career coach, I’m always curious about what really goes on in the minds of hiring managers during interviews. To get some answers, I reached out to 20+ hiring managers, and 15 of them answered my question. Here’s what most of them said: 1. Lying on resumes (This was the top response) Hiring managers often skip candidates who lie on their resumes. If you haven't achieved a particular thing, don't mention it on your resume. 2. Bad-mouthing past employers Talking bad about your past employer is a turn-off for hiring managers. If you have nothing to praise about, refrain from saying bad things. 3. Not giving solid clarification for quantified details If you are showing numbers on your resume, make sure to back the claims with solid evidence. 4. Missing critical skills If a job requires certain skills and you don’t have them, be honest and show your willingness to learn. 5. Oversharing success Overselling yourself without humility can come off as a lack of self-awareness and can be off-putting. Right now, you might be thinking how something this small can influence the hiring decision. The truth is, the little things add up. They reflect who you are, how you approach your work, and how you’ll fit into a team. So, before your next interview, take a moment to review your approach. Are you presenting yourself honestly? Are you highlighting your strengths without overselling? The small details can make all the difference between landing the job and being passed over. P.S. Follow me if you are an Indian job seeker in the U.S. I talk about job search, salary negotiation, and