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10 phrases you should never say in a job interview, experts say

10 phrases you should never say in a job interview, experts say

March 29, 2024

If you have given your Curriculum Vitae to a company and you have been selected to attend an interview, there is something about your profile that has made the company consider that you are a good candidate to join its staff.

Now it's up to you to leave a good taste in the interview so that the recruiter decides that the candidate who should occupy that position that is offered is you and not another.

Phrases you should never say in a job interview

In today's article we have the collaboration of Jonathan García-Allen , Director of Communication of the journal Psychology and Mind and expert in selection of personnel, so that it offers you some tips that help you to not make mistakes and maximize your chances of success.


Next we show you a list of phrases that you should not mention in a job interview .

1. I do not like team work

"One of the skills that companies value most today is teamwork, because it promotes creativity and learning, mixes complementary strengths, improves performance, reduces stress for workers and increases the productivity of the company", argues the expert psychologist in Human Resources.

"Saying that you do not like teamwork is practically saying goodbye to the job you aspire to," said García-Allen. So do not play it and make it clear that you consider that teamwork is important not only for the worker, but also for the company .


  • Related article: "The 5 benefits of teamwork"

2. I do not know anything about this company

"Introducing yourself in a job interview without knowing anything about the company shows that you have little interest. Nowadays, thanks to the internet, it is easy to gather information about the sector in which the company is developing and what is the product that it offers, "explains the expert. If you want to leave a good image, Do your research and make sure you know the basic aspects of the organization . In this way, the interviewer will know that you really want the job.

3. Any phrase that includes criticism of the previous company

"It is usual that in a job interview you ask one or two questions about your old job. You should not take this as an opportunity to verbalize that resentment that you have inside (if you ended up wrong) with phrases like "I had a bad relationship with my boss," advises Jonathan García-Allen.


You should try to give a positive image to avoid looking spiteful and vengeful , and do not forget that recruiters evaluate your verbal and nonverbal language during an interview, so be calm and do not speak ill of your old job. This makes you a kind, pleasant and ideal person to work in a team, which is what companies are looking for nowadays.

5. I'm only interested in money

It is clear that money is an important aspect when choosing a job and nobody likes to work for free, but companies value workers who are committed to the company and show interest beyond the economic .

Logically, it is also the company's mission to offer motivating conditions to workers. But if they ask you "Why would you like to work in this company?", Highlights other qualities of this, those that have more to do with the emotional side of people, such as: "is a leader in your sector" or " I think I can grow and develop professionally. "

5. When will I have a vacation?

"Asking questions such as when you will have vacations and expose how relaxed you would like the work environment to be in the office can have negative results," García-Allen points out.

Although good working conditions are good for both the employee and the company, it improves productivity, asking this question can make you look like a hard-working person in the eyes of the recruiter . Show yourself as a person who is enthusiastic about being able to occupy the place of work that is offered and avoids giving the image of a hard-working person. No recruiter wants someone to escape at the first sign of change.

6. I have other job offers

It may seem that doing the interesting thing is going to attract the recruiter, but what will really attract the attention of the person interviewing you is the skills you have for the position that is offered. Saying you have many job offers will make you look like a smug person and may seem forced . "Limítate to expose your best version and makes clear why you are the ideal candidate to fill that position you so desire," suggests Garcia-Allen.

7. Phrases that include lies

"Lying in an interview is not a good option . While you can try to direct the interview in a way that highlights the positive aspects of your person, you should not say things that are not true because sooner or later they can catch you "the psychologist tells us.

Regarding this, Garcia-Allen points out that "False your work experience or your professional profile can lead you to look bad not only during the interview, but at the time to prove your worth, you may not be the right person for the position, which is a waste of time for you and the company. "

8. I do not know myself

It is usual that during the course of a job interview the question "What are the three virtues and defects that you have?" Appears. This question, that what is intended is to know your qualities and your degree of sincerity, you must respond.

Jonathan Garcia-Allen, explains that "Saying 'you do not know' makes it clear that you are a person who has no knowledge of their strengths and have a weak personality. Self-knowledge is closely related to self-confidence and personal development of people, and is key to the worker's performance. " If you do not know yourself, how do you know you want that job?

9. I have no questions

While bombing the interviewer with questions is not good, it is important to show curiosity . At the end of the job interview, the recruiter usually asks if the candidate has more questions and in this case it is appropriate to do them.

"The recruiters feel more impressed with the questions that the candidates ask than with the answers they give, because for them it is also a source of information about the qualities of these," says the psychologist of the organizations. Questions like: "I have seen that your company has won several awards. What gives you a competitive advantage? "Can show interest in the company and desire to do well within it.

10. I was fired from my old job

Sometimes, the reason for terminating a contract in a company is dismissal . But if this has happened to you, better not say it with those words in a job interview.

For this, he resorts to other alternatives such as "it was not what I was looking for but I learned new skills and new ways of working, for what I have served for something". As Garcia-Allen recommends: "Do not say the word -speed-. Turn the negative around and highlight the positive, do not lie and do not speak ill of your previous company. "


4 SMART Things You Should Say and Do in a Job Interview (March 2024).


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