In your job search, it can sometimes be just as much about what you say and how you present yourself as the skills and experience you have to offer. There are many things job seekers say that they think will give them a better chance at landing a job, but in reality, have the opposite effect. Here are 7 things you should not say to a potential employer in an interview.
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How desperate you are for a job
You may find yourself in dire straits, but you don’t want to tell that to a potential employer. Discuss your passion for working in the field or the company or position in general. Employers are not going to have any confidence in an employee who is just trying to secure an income and who’ll likely be out the door when something they’ll enjoy better comes along. Instead of telling an employer you “just need a job” or open to “any position that’s available”, focus on conveying to the employer what about the opportunity that really excites you.Also, avoid submitting several resumes within a short amount of time for various types of positions, especially ones you’re clearly not qualified for. This will make it look like you’re just trying to get any job you can get.
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Discussing financial difficulties
When talking to an employer, avoid discussing financial hardships you’re facing. Although they may sympathize with your situation, their objective is to find the person who will be the best fit for the job. Discussing your financial situation may sow doubt in their mind as to whether you’re truly interested in the position or just looking to take on any job to solve your own personal situation.
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That you will work for a reduced salary
There are situations where it is appropriate to make the employer aware that the job you applied for will have a lower salary than what you’ve made previously. For example, if it’s a particular position or company you’re very passionate about and truly the job means more than the salary, then explain that in your cover letter so you’re not immediately ruled out. However, if you position yourself as being open to a reduced salary as a way to land the job, you’ll be setting yourself up for disappointment. If you don’t show a prospective employer that you value yourself and what you have to offer the organization, then neither will they.
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Discussing relationships or other personal issues
When talking to an interviewer, it’s appropriate to briefly mention general things about your personal life such you’re marred with kids, or that working on cars is one of your favorite hobbies, should it come up in the conversation or if they ask you to tell more about yourself. But generally, it is not a good idea to discuss your personal life, and if it comes up, quickly steer the conversation back to why you’re a great fit for the position you’re interviewing for. It is especially not appropriate to discuss relationship problems or other details into other personal struggles. It’s not that they don’t care, but you want to “sell” and position yourself in a positive light. Or in the case of working with a recruiter, help them position you to the employer in a positive light without any negative bias.
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Bad-mouthing previous employers
It’s good to tell the truth but going on and on with negativity will paint you in a bad light, and to a recruiter, will tell them that you’re not coachable for interviewing. If things didn’t end well with a previous employer, think about what you learned from working there and how it’s helped you grow and will make you a valuable member of the team in your new job. If you have frustrations about a previous job such as how you couldn’t stand your former boss, talk them over with a friend or family member, but not in an interview.
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Limiting your options
Keep your options open in your job search. If you’re working with a recruiter and put tight restrictions on what you’re willing to accept, such as distance from the job, salary requirements and so on, you only make it more difficult for them to help you.
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Be true to yourself
Although there are topics that are better to not bring up, don’t just tell a recruiter or interviewer what you think they want to hear. Be honest with them about challenges you’ve had, reasons why you left previous positions and what you learned from them. If you’re working with a recruiter, they want to help match you with a position that’s going to be a great fit for you, so understanding why previous jobs didn’t work out will help them position you with opportunities that will be a good match for you.
Before we start working with a client, we will research them, have in-depth conversations with their hiring team and visit their facilities to get to know them and what makes a candidate successful in their company culture. To connect with a recruiter and find out about our currently available opportunities in Information Technology, Accounting/Finance, Engineering and Business Administration/Process, please visit our job board. Or, submit your resume here for consideration to connect with one of our experienced recruiters in either our Grand Rapids, Michigan or Tampa, Florida location.
