Job interviews can be a terrifying experience as an applicant, and you can’t afford to hurt your chances of winning the job while communicating to your potential employer. But how do you avoid issues?
As a way to help, here are top three words hiring managers don’t want to hear when it comes to job interviews:
1. Always
This word shouldn’t be overused. It can harm your efforts to demonstrate your skills and qualifications effectively. Saying that you always go the extra mile and always get along with your colleagues may raise a red flag. People don’t do anything always—so it’s best to avoid exaggerated generalizations.
You can replace “always” with quantifiable measurements to show concrete proof of your abilities. In the case there are no measurements to share, you can share positive feedback you’ve received instead.
2. Never
Just like the word “always,” it’s unrealistic to claim that you never do something. Instead of using “never,” you can focus on how you’ve managed to avoid certain things during your previous jobs. If you’ve never failed to finish a project on time, explain how you were able to meet deadlines successfully. Pay attention to details.
3. Would
This is a tricky word to use during job interviews. Using “would” is like saying you can do it in the future (but have not actually done it before). Interviewers don’t want to listen to empty promises, but they’re all ears when it comes to results.
Along with “would,” you can include the bonus words “could” and “will.” If you really need to use these words, make sure to back your claims with proof of what you’ve done successfully in the past. Always bring up evidence from your previous work experience instead of trying to make vague words work for you.
If you really want to perform well during the interview, it’s best to use straightforward, concrete language that’s easy to understand. Generic and ambiguous words will cause your interview to drift off-course. At every interview, share real details and tangible proof of your qualifications and abilities.