What Not To Say On A First Interview
You are never more aware than during an interview for a new job that you are being judged. You may be aware of it because everything you say is being weighed and measured. The interviewer is trying to ensure that everything about you is appropriate for the job and their company.
In everyday life, you can get away with off-the-cuff comments and a bit of eccentricity without fear of significant drawbacks. During a job interview, there is very little wiggle room. Displaying your suitability for the job is more important than giving voice to a remark that may be taken the wrong way. During the interview process, there are things that you should not say at all.
Do not discuss money on a first interview.
Do not discuss money during your first job interview. If the interviewer brings it up, you must engage, but try not to come off too eager for more money as the reason for your job application. No boss wants to believe that the only reason employees work for the company is money. If you talk about money upfront, an employer is going to question your motivation. Employers are fully aware that compensation is an integral part of any decision. They want to know that you are motivated to work for your income. You want to communicate that you are interested in working for that company, not just looking for something to pay the bills.
Show interest. Research the company before the interview
You should do your homework about the company so that you never ask…" what does your company do?" which will bring an end to any chance you may have at that job. Even rudimentary knowledge about the company/business shows you are genuinely interested in that job, and that you didn't just show up expecting to be hired. In the age of Google and social media, there is no excuse not to do your homework ahead of time. Even if you get the heads-up about the interview half an hour before the meeting, smartphones will let you perform an even basic search on the elevator ride up!
Keep it positive
Never be negative about your current or previous employer. By saying that you hate your boss or your job, you force the interviewer to ask themselves if perhaps you are the problem. If you discuss how your boss is incompetent, you increase the likelihood that your prospective employer will sympathize with your current boss. If you spend your limited time talking about how you hate your current job, you risk being seen as a complainer and a generally negative person. Being seen as unfavorable is not going to make you attractive to a new employer.
That attitude may make the interviewer imagine how you will talk about them in the future. Instead of venting about all the problems with the old job, emphasize why you are interested in the new position. Mention how you are seeking an opportunity for growth. Putting a positive spin on a negative situation is a great way to let a prospective employer know that you are looking for a chance that might not exist with your current employer.
An interview is not a social event
Never appear flirtatious, assuming, or arrogant when being interviewed. An interview is not a social setting, and you should never treat it as such. You do not need to mention anyone's appearance, so don't do it. You do not need to go into detail about your current employer or issues with them. Do not discuss what you perceive to be your job's shortcomings. These details can be seen as subjective and put you in a negative light.
Do not imply that the interviewer's company would be lucky to have you. Regardless of your experience, when you start with a new company, you are going to have to learn how they do things. If you come across as arrogant, you will also be seen as inflexible when it comes to learning and adapting to anything new.
Your job interview is an opportunity to showcase the kind of person you are. You have the chance to show how you will add to the overall company that you want to work for, so you want to keep your side of the conversation positive. You are meant to give the impression that you are competent, thoughtful, and trustworthy. You want to show that you are someone who your new employer wants to see and work with every day.
