Words to Avoid on A Job Interview

Do you want to come off as evasive and arrogant in a job interview?  If not, there are two words to avoid.

Most job  interviews these days include some of what are known as ”behavioral questions.”  These usually begin with phrases like, “Tell me about a time when…" or "Give me an example of…". These are designed to probe your past work experiences. Given the format, most replies job-seekers give will necessarily involve some version of the phrase "I did."

What you want to avoid, conversely, is using the words “you should.” 

Writing In Forbes, Mark Murphy, the New York Times bestselling author whose latest book is Never Say These Words in a Job Interview, says responding with the words "you should," diverges from the personal to the impersonal, shifting the focus from your own experiences to general advice. And giving advice obscures the unique insights into your capabilities and personality that interviewers seek.

Research backs this up. Murphy’s Leadership IQ study found that interview answers rated poorly by hiring managers use the word "you" almost 400% more than good interview answers. Bad interview answers also contain significantly more present and future tense verbs.

Remember, the interviewer wants to learn about you and your past experience, specifically. Veering into generalities and pontifications can make your answers less relevant and less impressive.

Did you ever say something you regretted  in a job interview? To join the conversation, click "comments" below.
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