Knowing what to say and what to not say in a job interview is a talent that is developed over time. With practice, it’s easy to see what topics of conversation or ways of communicating work well with interviewers. But there are some very common mistakes that job seekers make in an interview. Here are just some of those common words you really should work to avoid in a job interview.
Ummm
This is an easy one. Any public speaking situation calls for confidence. And the word “Ummm” shows hesitation, not confidence. While it’s always ok to pause to think or find the right words to explain your perspective, saying “Ummm” is simply a bad habit.
Hate
Using the word hate, or any other strong negative expression of past experiences puts you in the category of high-risk candidates. These individuals are (whether they deserve to be or not) considered to have difficulties fitting into their roles or being team players.
Kinda
Using the word “kinda” instead of a firm yes or no gives a childish impression. To sound like a professional, make sure your words are clear and mature.
I
This might come as a surprise, but using we instead of I shows an understanding of the importance of working as a team. So if you are someone who finds yourself talking about yourself throughout the whole of an interview, remember that no one works completely independently.
Whatever
Just like Kinda, Whatever shows indifference and a lower level of professionalism than more decisive word choices. Whatever is also something used frequently by candidates who have a low motivation level.
Fired
Even if you’ve never been fired, using the word in the context of an interview will have a subliminal effect on the hiring manager. You don’t want it to even cross their mind, so don’t bring it up.
Learn
Hiring managers want to hire candidates who know how to solve problems they are currently facing. They don’t want to hire candidates who are going to need to spend a lot of time learning on the job. While it’s true that everyone does learn a lot on the job, your interview is the time to tell interviewers what value you can bring to the table. Not what you need to learn to be qualified for the job.
Self-Starter
Being a self-starter is important. But saying you’re a self-starter is quite cliché. Consider avoiding interview buzz-words like motivated and enthusiastic, because they are just more of the same interview prep work that every other candidate has up their sleeve. Be authentic and speak to your experiences rather than just saying you are experienced.
Stuff
Stuff is a lazy word, that doesn’t do much work to tell your interviewer anything. Rather than using the word stuff, consider listing out the specific things you would be referring to. Specificity is your friend in an interview.
Dedicated
Dedication isn’t something you say about yourself. It’s something you prove about yourself.
For more tips on how to ace your next job interview, connect with the recruiting team at Williams Industrial today.
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