What should you never do in an interview?
From implicating company policy to asking an interviewer on a date, here are answers to the question, “What is one thing you should never do in an interview?”
- Overpromise
- Don’t Be Late for the Interview
- Feel Like Your Life Depends On It
- Implicating Company Policy is Bad During Interview.
- Never Look for a Date
- Imply the Job Will Be Temporary
- Complain About Your Previous Job
- Not Asking Any Questions
Overpromise
When it comes to interviews, it’s important to be honest and transparent about your experience. Never overpromise or pretend to have knowledge that you don’t. Instead, demonstrate your enthusiasm for learning and share stories about how you quickly learn and excel at new tasks.
Trendy Tan, Growth Marketing Manager, QuickHR
Don’t Be Late for the Interview
Being late for the interview is disrespectful of the interviewer’s time and can make the applicant look unprepared and unprofessional.
Not only will the employer question the applicant’s interest in the position, but they will also assume that this is the kind of behavior they would expect if they were to hire the applicant for their company. If you have an in-person interview, determine how long it will take to get to the site before the scheduled meeting.
Try to arrive 15 minutes early to prevent the possibility of being late altogether.
Benjamin Farber, President, Bristol Associates, Inc.
Feel Like Your Life Depends On It
It’s no secret that job interviews can be stressful. While it’s absolutely normal to feel a little nervous or anxious before and during the interview, it’s important to remember that it isn’t a life or death situation.
The recruiter and hiring manager are on the same side as you: they want you to do well, so that they can fill the position and end the recruiting process in a timely manner. And even if they weren’t rooting for you, at the end of the day, it’s not the only job or company in the world! Putting too much pressure on yourself might prevent you from showing your full potential, so try to relax and remember that it’s only a conversation, not a trial by fire.
Maja Kowalska, Community Manager, Zety
Implicating Company Policy
During an interview, it is important to always maintain a professional level of respect and courtesy towards the interviewer; one thing you should never do is speak negatively. An uncommon example would be implying that their organization’s policies are not up-to-date or sufficient for the current market.
This shows a lack of maturity and understanding as an individual, which could jeopardize your chances of getting a good impression from the interviewer regardless of whether policies need improvement within the company.
Grace He, People and Culture Director, Teambuilding.com
Never Look for a Date
Although it may seem as obvious as daylight, I can tell you from my experience that not everyone follows this rule.
No flirting allowed. That won’t help you get the dream job. Instead, such inappropriate behavior will eclipse all that actually matters in this situation – your work experience, education, and valuable skills.
A job interview is your chance to get employment, a better job, or more money. Leave your flirtatious nature at home and focus on what you go there for. Be professional, self-confident, and well-prepared. Not cute.
Agata Szczepanek, Community Manager, LiveCareer
Imply the Job Will Be Temporary
The hiring and onboarding process takes a lot of resources; time and money. For an interview manager to get wind that you’re only interested in a role for a short period of time or plan to use it as a stepping stone to gain a different position later on, will likely result in you not being hired. Companies are looking for consistency and hope to retain employees for long periods of time.
Be mindful of where you truly see yourself in the future.
Jarir Mallah, HR Specialist, Ling App
Complain about your previous job
The one thing you should never do in an interview is insult or complain about your previous job, boss, or company.
When that question comes up, “Why did you leave your last job?” it is not the time to be triggered, if you left because your boss or workplace was toxic. Maybe you have good reasons.
Maybe you are simply an honest person.
However, if you start to complain about your past job, your interviewer will assume you will badmouth the company you are interviewing for now, in future interviews. They will also assume your negative answer is an indicator of a negative attitude and immature work ethic.
Kristina Ramos, Reverse Recruiter, Find My Profession
Not Asking Any Questions
Over the past 19 years that I’ve been in the professional services industry, I’ve sat in on literally hundreds of consulting interviews. I always cringe when the person interviewing says “No” when asked if they have any questions for the people conducting the interview.
You should always have 2-3 questions in your back pocket to ask. It shows your engagement and thoughtful preparation for their interview, and general interest in the role.
So I’d say, never walk into an interview without 2-3 questions to ask.
Aaron Chappell, Partner, Surety Systems, Inc.
Submit Your Answer
Would you like to submit an alternate answer to the question, “What is one thing you should never do interview?”