Money Matters, Simplified.
Going to an Interview? Avoid Uttering These
Think before you speak is the bottom line for any job interview, as interviews are all about marketing your own self. Portraying your best could be the key to cracking one.
Thu, 02/17/2011 - 17:14 by Gunjan Mehra
Knowing what not to say when you are being judged could play a major role in fetching you your dream job. While making the big impression it’s often, not what you say, but what you don’t say that can make the difference. The Money Times suggests remarks that should be avoided in interviews.
What Not to Carry at Interview
- Do not carry chewing gum or candy to a job interview. It is believed to be indecent to keep chewing or moving your mouth when appearing for formal talks. Chew one outside before being summoned in.
- Keep your cell phones away while you are called for a personal interview. Cell phones can be a major distraction. Even if you do carry it, make sure it is on a silent mode and carefully tucked in a place where no one can spot it.
-Your Ipod can be an ideal gadget for recreation, but has no room in a job interview for obvious reasons. If it helps relaxing you, you can listen to it while on your way, but make sure you hide it carefully before going in.
- Piercings, anywhere on your body, except for one in your ears (if you are a female) are strictly prohibited. If you have body piercings, make sure you leave your jewelry at home.
- Don’t carry soda or fizzy drinks to an interview unless you want to burp in front of your interviewers.
You might wear crisp, new clothes, get yourself a swanky resume and even cross checked your originals, but experts opine that all this preparation apparently isn’t good enough to for that crucial interview.
Knowing what not to say when you are being judged could play a major role in fetching you your dream job.
So, while you might have already made up your mind with respect to what you ought to talk about, here’s a lesson on what not to discuss with your prospective employer:
Drawbacks of Your Ex-employer
No matter how many grudges you have against your last/current employers, never talk ill about them.
The very fact that you can good mouth them even when you are on the verge of disassociating yourself with them, will speak volumes on your integrity and loyalty. It will indicate you will do the same with them tomorrow, when you decide to leave them.
If you have left any of your past employers on unhealthy terms, rather than criticizing them it’s always better to say that your philosophies or ideas did not match. Also try to cut short the topic and keep it as brief as possible.
Questions That Highlight Your Ignorance About Company
As the company’s prospective employee, it’s your business to research the company well before you appear for the interview.
Asking questions like “What do you manufacture?” or “What business do you deal in?” is an indication or poor homework and lack of interest.
If you are indeed eager to be included on the company’s pay-roll, make sure you have know all that the internet can tell you about the company in advance.
Your Personal Issues
Never discuss personal issues like divorce, break-ups, financial crisis, etc. in an interview. These are meant to be professional forums, and it’s wise to keep your discussions limited to professional topics alone.
Discuss about your family or other personal issues only if asked about them. However, once again the golden rule should be to keep them short and crisp.
How Good You are
That is for your interviewer to gauge and not for you to brag. A self braggart is rarely liked by anybody and your interviewers should be no exception.
Agreed, you need to impress your interviewing panel, but talking all the while about your own self will not get you anywhere.
Even when you discuss your achievements, make sure you adopt a very ‘matter of fact’ tone.
Another mistake to avoid is saying that you don’t have any shortcomings. Nobody is perfect, and you aren’t Mr. Nobody. So, think of a way of making even your weakness sound positive.
You could say you are extremely finicky about cleanliness, or are working on your PR skills, or you have been meditating to control your temper…or something similar.
Controversial Issues
A personal interview is not a forum to discuss your religious beliefs, political views or scandals rocking the country.
Don’t get into any controversy during an interview. For all you know people judging you might not agree with your views and you might get rejected for something that has nothing to do with your job. Keep such debates for another time, another forum.
An interviewee is like a fish, opening your gob at the wrong time can land you into serious trouble.
