Preparing For Your Next Job Interview: What Topics To Avoid
Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels
If you’re a job seeker, you’ve probably done your research on how to prepare for and best present yourself in a job interview. But, what our hiring managers say is missing is a general understanding of what not to say.
Of course you should feel comfortable enough to bring your whole self to work, and that starts in the interview, but there are definitely some things to stay clear of when you’re trying to shine! We’ve gathered some advice from Accela’s hiring managers to help you put your best foot forward in your next job interview.
“Between you and me, my employer was…”: Don’t speak too negatively about a past employer – even if you’ve left a role on a bad note, it’s better to put a positive spin on it and focus more on what you’ve learned and what you’re looking for. Also, remember, Singapore is a small and tight-knit community – speaking badly about others might get back to them.
“I just want a change”: When you’re asked why you are looking for a new role, this is a chance to talk about why you want to work for the company you are interviewing with, and how it aligns with your interests or career aspirations. If you say, “I just want a change,” you are signalling that you get bored easily, and are probably not going to stick around in a role for long, which can be a red flag to hiring managers.
“I’ve learned everything I can”: In a similar vein, if you’ve only been in your role for six to twelve months, don’t say you’ve learned everything you possibly could from your current position. If you really do feel this way, make sure you can demonstrate that you tried to find new opportunities to learn within the role (or the wider company) before you started your job search.
“Every day, I just dread doing [insert core junction of this job]”: If you hate doing something that is a key part of the job you are applying for, perhaps it’s time to think about a career change. A job interview can be an illuminating time – it might be the time you realise you’re on the wrong path – but it’s probably not the time to admit to the interviewer that you actually won’t enjoy the job that much.
“I don’t have any questions”: Interviews are a two-way street, so make sure you do your research on the company and the role and ask at least a few specific questions. It’s a good idea to write down a list of questions, that way, if they are covered off in the interview, you still have some up your sleeve.
“I’d need xyz days of holiday leave and medical insurance”: Discussions about holiday leave, benefits and pay are something that usually come up in a follow-up interview, when the hiring manager calls you to tell you they are pleased to be pursuing your application. It’s best not to start with these questions in early interviews.
“My cat is anxious, so I will need to take a few weeks to deal with that”: Employers want you to be able to talk openly about your home life at work. But, think about what is not absolutely necessary to disclose in the first interview. The exception to this is to research the interviewer (perhaps there is a bio piece on them on the company website, for example), and find some common ground, which can be a great ice breaker. For example, you might read that they love hiking, and you do, too.
“My biggest weakness is that I’m a perfectionist”: And other cliches. It’s definitely not easy to strike the balance between “prepared” and robot, but actually, the best way is to practice enough so that you can say what you want to say, naturally. You should also prepare answers that are honest and unique to you.
“It’s on my CV”: Sure, the interviewer is asking questions you have given the answers to, which might seem a bit silly. But this is a chance for you to “sell” your experience in your own words. It’s a chance for you to show some flair, share some anecdotes about your past roles and build a connection with your interviewer.
We know interviewing can be nerve-wracking, but if we can see that you’re prepared, you’ve done your research, and you’re genuinely interested in the role, you’ll leave the interview having gained a lot of respect and admiration for the interviewer.
-
Are you seeking a new role? Check out our current openings for roles, or get in touch with our team to see how we might be able to help: [email protected].