The round of personal interview is the most daunting experience during the entire process of job search. An interview with your potential boss can be intimidating and so job seekers need to remain prepared for all types of interrogations. It is important to plan how you are going to answer tricky questions related to your life and career. After all, you wouldn’t want to say something that is inappropriate that will portray you as a non-serious applicant. The following is a list of unfitting comments that you must avoid making during your interview.

I’m so nervous!

Even though there is nothing wrong about being tense in a situation like this, do not immediately blurt out that you are nervous. It is natural to feel anxious at important interviews but never tell the interviewer that you have butterflies in the stomach. Your focus should be to portray yourself as a confident and professional contender. You will only spoil your chances by announcing how uneasy you are as it only comes across as a defense mechanism where you are trying to blame the others for any letdown in your performance.

I don’t know the profile; I thought you would inform me about it

This is the biggest blunder a candidate can make and it may cost you heavily. During the recruitment process, employers spend a majority of their time interviewing aspirants and the last thing they want to hear is that the person is not prepared. You should be well-versed with the job description and should have your reasons ready as to why the company should hire you. Market yourself and tell them how suitable you are for the role, else the interviewers will feel that  you are there to waste everyone’s time and have no clue as to what you want. Make sure that you research about the company online.

My last boss was a jerk

There are times when interviewers can prod you into discussing about your seniors from the previous workplace. They may ask you to talk about the work environment in your former office and enquire about your rapport with your supervisor. You have to resist the urge to talk badly about people, be it your colleagues or even your condescending boss. It is unprofessional and will make the recruiter fear about what you would say about him when you leave this office. So tone it down and don’t take interviewers down that road. If you must, talk about what you learned from the experience.

My biggest weakness is… (something related to this job)

Most interviewers ask this question, but that does not mean that you have to answer it candidly. Since there is no right or wrong answer to this question, try and be tactful and refrain from citing something that is directly associated with this position and its requirements.  For instance, if the job description demands you to be creative and you have been out of the running lately, do not say that creativity has evaded you. Say something non-contextual to your skills and then explain how you are working on it.

That work was @#$%! monotonous

Profanity may have started receiving a wider acceptance among the younger lot in the offices today but an interview is not the best time to show your slang and swearing skills.

Hold on; this call is important

Though it is obvious that a candidate mustn’t take calls between job interviews, there are still many applicants who answer their phones and reply to messages in between the interactions. Make sure you turn off your mobile during interviews so that you are not tempted to respond.

How much of vacation time am I entitled to?

Refrain from asking questions that take the focus away from work. You may ask questions like these after you get selected. Queries related to holidays and salary should be reserved for the HR.

Will I be allowed to work from home?

Even if you know it and are just asking for confirmation sake, leave such questions for a later stage. Stay focused on the work and your responsibilities.

Family is most important to me

No doubt, family is the most important part of our lives. But you need not explain in detail as to how devoted you are towards your family or your personal responsibilities towards them. Such behavior is not likely to win you any browny points, even if the workplace is a family-friendly environment.

Do not keep answering questions with a simple “Yes” or “No.” Support your statements with facts and figures, wherever possible. Whenever in doubt, you can pause before you answer rather than just blurting out what’s on your mind.  And when you tell yourself that it may be ok to ask a certain question, assume that it is better to let it go. The above statements can negatively impact your chances of getting selected for a job, so you must not use them at any point during an interview.

Guest Author bio: Devika Arora is an avid writer who compiles significant facts and analyzes about healthy conduct during job search and interviews. The given article discusses about things to avoid saying during a job interview.

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