15 Words Hiring Managers Hate Hearing during a Job Interview

2 min read
An applicant avoiding words in job interview that can spoil her job chance and a hiring manager

Job interviews are tricky and for some, nerve-wracking. It’s not unusual for people to feel rattled and clueless as to the things they should do, prepare, and bring. There are dozens of articles out there teaching job applicants what to do before, during, and after an interview. But remember that your words in job interview are just as important as your actions.

Words in Job Interview That Can Kill Your Job Chance

There are words in job interview that can instantly kill your job prospect. Hence, you should keep in mind to compose your thoughts well and prepare ahead. You don’t just want to say the right things; you also want to avoid uttering these words while talking to the hiring manager:

Words to Describe Yourself

  • Smart/Intelligent – It doesn’t matter if you have an IQ of 130, you should not use it to describe yourself because this is something you want others to say about you.
  • Easy to Like – So it’s more of a phrase but is still something you do not say about yourself, because your judgment isn’t the same as others’. Use words like friendly, approachable, and amiable instead.
  • Humble – Bragging about your humility seems ironic, don’t you think? Impress the interviewer with your accomplishments in a fact-filled way.
  • Obsessive – Though you mean well, this word gives off a negative impression. You can use “hard-working,” “detail-oriented,” and “focused” instead.

Words with Negative Meaning

  • Fired – This word raises red flags; so you must avoid it at all cost. Terms like “let go” or “laid off” sounds better and are more recommendable.
  • Hate – You don’t want to express such strong negative feelings towards something or someone. It doesn’t inspire much confidence on how you’ll be.
  • Sure – This word makes you sound like the only reason you’re agreeing is because you don’t have a choice. Avoid it.
  • No – You want to turn negative situations into a positive one. So if you’re telling a story about a time you had to say “no” to something just say, “I wanted to say ‘yes” but…”
  • Sorry – You should not apologize for anything during an interview unless you accidentally bumped into the interviewer. Do everything you can to not be in a situation you must apologize for.
  • Cuss Words – They don’t sound good used in regular conversations, and it won’t be appreciated during a job interview.

Fillers

Fillers and make you sound unprofessional, nervous, and unfocused. They add no value to a conversation and must be removed from your vocabulary.

  • Stuff
  • Kinda/Kind of
  • And whatnot
  • Um
  • Any

You don’t want to be rejected for a job because you uttered the wrong word. Be composed and articulate at all times to show hiring managers how much of an asset you can be.

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Sources: The Muse | JobsDB.com | U.S. News | The FindEmployment Network
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