19 Things you should Never say during a Job Interview

There are some things that you should keep to yourself during a job interview, even if you’re thinking them. Be conservative in what you say and share, and keep the focus on your skills and qualifications for a job.

Tip: The interviewer isn’t interested in your personal life, your vacation plans, or why you really need to get hired for the job. He or she wants to know why you’re the best-qualified person for the job.

If you don’t think you have all the qualifications, don’t mention it. If you’re not sure how you’re going to get to work, arrange child care, want to take vacation time already, or the schedule isn’t perfect and you want to work different hours, don’t mention it. This isn’t the time or place to share your problems or negotiate work arrangements.

A job interview is one of those times when sharing too much information isn’t going to help you. In fact, sharing too much could cost you a job offer.

Top 19 Things Never to Say at a Job Interview

Here are 19 things you shouldn’t say during an interview, and why not to say them:

1. I really hate my job. (Are you going to hate this job if they hire you?)
2. I have a vacation planned in a few weeks. (Wait to ask for time-off until you have a job offer.)
3. My boss is the worst boss ever. (Are you going to say that about your new boss if things don’t work out?)
4. My current company is awful. (Are you going to say that about the new company?)
5. How much does this job pay? (Let the employer bring up money first.)
6. When do I get a vacation? (Don’t ask about benefits until you’re offered the job.)
7. Can you give me taxi fare to get home? (Figure out your transportation ahead of time.)
8. Can I work from home? (Don’t bring up alternative working situations until you have a job offer.)
9. I really need this job. (You don’t want to come across as desperate.)
10. I don’t have all the experience you need, but I’m a quick learner. (Let the interviewer figure out if you’re qualified and focus on the skills that you do have.)
11. I don’t know. It’s on my resume. (Yes, it is, but the interviewer wants to hear it from you.)
12. I have an appointment, is this going to be over soon? (Give yourself plenty of time to interview and be aware the interview could run longer than you planned.)
13. Sorry, I’m late. (Don’t be unless you have an emergency.)
14. Profanity or swear words. (Keep it professional and polite.)
15. What’s the policy on dating co-workers? (This is about work, not your love life.)
16. Do you have Friday Happy Hours or is there an open bar at holiday parties? (Booze and job interviews don’t mix.)
17. I don’t have childcare lined up, but I’m working on it. (You don’t want to give the interviewer any reason to think that you won’t have the availability that’s needed by the company.)
18. This schedule doesn’t really work for me. Can it be changed? (Don’t ask for anything until you have a job offer.)
19. Interviews make me really nervous. (The interviewer wants to hire someone confident in his or her abilities.)

Another thing you shouldn’t do at a job interview is ask the hiring manager directly if you have the job. Instead, ask for the job in a more subtle way that will ensure that the interviewer knows you’d love to be hired.

There are things that you can say that will help you make a good impression on the interviewer. Knowing what to say in an interview, as well as what not to say will help you get hired.