Interview Tip Tuesday- Say THIS not THAT.

By Alishia Lee

The job market is competitive, it always has been and always will be. To set yourself apart from the long list of excited applicants, you can just avoid common interview No-Nos that may cause you to present less than stellar. Here are 4 things you should avoid saying in an interview and a few helpful alternatives to help you present your best self.

1. Negative comments about previous employers or colleagues: We've all had leaders and team members that we didn't enjoy, however an interview with a new company is not the time to air out your grievances. Avoid speaking negatively about past experiences as it can poorly reflect your professionalism and attitude. Instead, if the subject comes up, give a positive spin that redirects the conversation. If your style of interviewing is to tell a specific short story, use objective language vs demoting a person or company.

Example- "Tell me about a time you had to deal with a difficult co-worker or manager."

Instead of: "Everyone was mad that I got hired over them and they didn't want to listen to me, so my manager had to step in."

Try: " I was promoted to work as a team lead over my peers at XYZ. It was challenging going from peer to their leader and I had to work hard to reestablish boundaries and learn how to support them while navigating the growing pains of our new team dynamic. It took a few months and I (specific, actionable, and positive response) am happy to say that we were a much better team after that. "

2. Lack of preparation: Avoid saying that you are not familiar with the company or the role you are interviewing for. It is important to demonstrate your interest and knowledge about the organization. Have a few bullet points written down and study the role and company so you can speak intelligently. "What job is this for again?" Never leaves a good impression. If you need clarification on a specific area, be sure to ask.

Example: "I saw the role requires trips for client visits. Will you share the frequency and details of what outcomes I am responsible for?

This opens up the conversation for dialogue and shows your interest.

3. Overconfidence or arrogance: Avoid coming across as overly confident or arrogant during the interview. It is important to strike a balance between confidence and gratitude for the opportunity.

Instead of " OH, I know I can do that!" or "You should have done XYZ..."

Try: I excelled at XYZ company in that area by (what did you do to achieve success) and believe that will be a skill I'll be able to use here also.

4. Salary expectations / Time off as the primary focus: Avoid making salary the primary focus of the interview. While it is important to discuss compensation, it should not be the main driver behind your interest in the role. Instead of saying, "I'll take anything." or "How many days off do I get when I start?" or "How much can you give me?"

Try: "Are you able to share the total compensation for this role, including time off allowances?" or "I researched the averages for this role and found the range to be ($$-$$) is this close to what you all have budgeted?"

By keeping these points in mind and focusing on showcasing your skills, experience, and enthusiasm for the position, you can make a positive impression during your job interview without any regret.

#happyhunting