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What to Say in a Job Interview and 11+ Things to Always Avoid (+Video)

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Job interviews sometimes feel like essay tests. You’re not sure if you’re explaining yourself well or just spouting random nonsense. What to say in a job interview can be quite the challenge for many people.

The right things to say in an interviewThe right things to say in an interviewThe right things to say in an interview
It can be hard to know the right things to say in an interview. (Image Source: Envato Elements)

You can prepare for what to say at a job interview by researching the common and behavioral questions, and then rehearsing answers for them. But this type of preparation gives you no guarantee that you’ll survive the ordeal. 

  • What if most of the questions you’ve rehearsed don’t come up?
  • What if the interviewer only asks weird or fantastical questions rumored to be asked in the likes of Google and Facebook?

That’s where these basic guidelines and phrases come in. Knowing the basics of what to say in an interview should guide you, regardless of the questions you get.

The Best Things to Say in an Interview (Quickstart Guide)

Whether you've got an interview coming up or are just starting your job search, you may be wondering what to say at a job interview.  Job interviews can be tricky. If you're not prepared, you may have trouble thinking of good things to say during an interview.

Don't worry! This short video below will give you a headstart on some of the best things to say (not say) during your interview:

For even more tips on what to say during your interview, read the complete tutorial below.

The Right Things to Say in an Interview                 

Good things to say during an interview include your mindset and skillset. It's always helpful to look at specific examples. So, check out this helpful list of what to say in an interview below, and take note of the points that resonate most with you:

1. Mention Who Referred You for the Role

An article on LinkedIn states that referrals from employees within the business have the highest applicant to hire successful conversion rate - about 40%. Not only that, but referral hires have greater job satisfaction and remain in their roles longer.

What to say in a job interview includes mentioning if someone from the inside vouched for you. It can help your chances. Say it casually though, as you don’t want the interviewer to think you’re assuming the role is already yours.

What to say in an interview if you were referred by someone:

“I got so excited after (Your Contact’s Name) mentioned this job opening to me.”

2. Thank the Interviewer

Referral or not, showing gratitude for the interviewer’s consideration goes a long way. It shows that you’re polite and humble enough to accept that the interviewer could just as easily picked someone else for the interview. Good things to say during an interview include simple statements like the ones below.

What to say in an interview to show appreciation:

“Thank you for considering my application”

Or

“Thanks for taking the time to see me”

3. Use the Company’s Lingo

You should've read the company’s website and other marketing materials in preparation for the interview. If you did, that should’ve given you some clues about the type of people they want for the company.

For instance, you might’ve read words like “fairness,” “leadership,” “growth” or “customer focus” many times on their website. These words reveal the type of employee they’re looking for, even if they weren’t specifically used in a job advertisement.

Subtly incorporate these words into your interview answers. This shows that you understand the organization’s values and are a good fit for them, personality-wise.

4. “I’m Flexible”

Saying that you’re flexible is one of the right things to say in an interview. It shows that you’re willing to accommodate the interviewer, whether it’s about the schedule of the next interview, potential job responsibilities, or the start date of the job. It gives the impression that you’ll be easy to work with, once hired.

5. Show You’re Enthusiastic and Did Your Homework

This is related to step three, but more in-line with the company’s work and goals instead of their people. Given the chance, mention what you know about:

  • the company’s products
  • services
  • market goals
  • current challenges

Then tie this knowledge to what you experienced in a previous role.

If a previous job allowed you access to a product similar to what they have, talk about that. If the company you’re interviewing for is undergoing an overseas expansion and you've got experience with that, mention that too. 

In some cases, you don’t even need to tie your knowledge of the company to your work history. You can just talk about recent industry events related to the job. Doing so proves that you’re enthusiastic about the job and the industry itself.

6. Talk About Accomplishments With a Similar Range

The “Presenter’s Paradox” is a psychological phenomenon that explains how our mind tends to find the average or see the big picture among the information presented to us. In short, sharing more info is not always better, and it applies to many areas, including what to say at a job interview.

For instance, what if you tell the interviewer that you:

  • have a Cisco Certification
  • have a Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification
  • took a short course on cyber security

With the Presenter's Paradox, the interviewer will average the impressiveness of these achievements. So, even if the cyber security course was relevant to your role, the fact that it’s not an industry-recognized license or certification diminishes the wow factor of your other credentials.

Your interviewer won’t see it as a bonus. So, it’s better if you hold out on mentioning some of your achievements if they can’t be classified within the same level of difficulty. Find another time to bring up these outliers instead.

It’s the same thing when you buy a new house. A high-end property with great views, spacious bedrooms, en suite bathrooms, and a jacuzzi won’t benefit from the mention of faucet fixtures.

7. Explain Why You’re a Great Match for the Job

Don’t stop at mentioning your skills and achievements. When thinking of what to say at an interview, be sure to plan to explain why your qualifications matter for the job. Tell stories about your previous interactions at work, challenges you’ve encountered, and other accomplishments that match the criteria on the job description.

You don’t have to wait for the interviewer to ask you a behavioral interview question to weave these anecdotes into your answer. Just tell a brief story when the interviewer asks about a skill or job entry listed on your resume. Here's a tutorial that can help you with behavioral interviews:

8. Engage the Five Senses with Concrete Words

Abstract words like “diversity,” “viability,” “synergy,” and “methodology” only activate the language processing part of our brain. It doesn’t engage the other senses. Can you quickly picture what “synergy” or “methodology” look like? Is there an image in your brain that represents these words? Probably not.

Simpler or concrete phrases such as “lead a team,” “negotiate a better price” “deliver an app on budget” or even a simple word such as “teach” are far easier for anyone to picture in their own minds. Big words may sound impressive, but it’s the simpler ones that can make any sentence and job applicant more memorable. Good things to say during an interview don't have to be complicated.

9. You’re Eager to Learn

Interviewers want to know that you’re knowledgeable about your job—that’s a given. More importantly, they want to see that you’re not complacent in what you know.

Show them you’re open to adapting new methods and skills to improve your work. Mention the ongoing courses you’re taking or the books and podcasts you listen to on the way to the office. Specify what you’re studying and where your materials are coming from. This specificity can go a long way to proving that you’re really keen to improve yourself and not just claiming it for the sake of looking studious.

“I like learning new skills, and I’ve recently started on (the course, book, subject or podcast), which I think gives me a competitive advantage as a (your job title).”

10. Say “Thank You” Again

Some applicants end their interview abruptly or awkwardly, either because their interviewer was in a hurry or they’re just so nervous they want to get it over with.

Whatever the case, it’s important to shake the interviewer’s hand and thank them for seeing you. If you don’t, you'll leave a bad impression and all the great answers you gave during the interview will be tainted by that one negative experience.  

11. Share Your Positive Attitude

Your attitude can make or break your chances of being hired, as well as your success in the role if you're hired. So, be sure to convey a positive attitude and outlook as you converse with your interviewer.

What to say at an interview never includes cynical comments. So, avoid pessimistic and negative statements about the business and people in general. Negative statements will quickly alert your interviewer that your attitude is less than stellar. 

12. Mention You're a Team Player

As much as you're excited to show off your skills, don't forget to emphasize your passion for being a team player. No position operates on its own in a vacuum, so it's important your interviewer understands that you've got the ability to work with people.

The fact that you understand there is more to the company than just your individual role demonstrates an unselfish, productive attitude.

13. Share How You Solve Problems

Think of a situation in your past work experience where you encountered a problem. Share how you solved it.

Your interviewer will appreciate your problem-solving skills. Problem-solving always applies to the role you're interviewing for. No matter the job, problems will always arise. So, it's important for them to know you've got level-headed experience tackling unforeseen circumstances.

What Not to Say in an Interview If You Want to Get Hired (10+ Things)

So, your interviewer is being nice to you, and you find you can relax and be yourself. That’s good, right?

Not necessarily. Be careful, because that relief can potentially lead you to say things you might regret. It's possible to get too comfortable.

Frankly, what to say at an interview does not include oversharing. There are just some things best kept to yourself in an interview, even if they’re true and even if you’re actually thinking about them. Let's take a closer look at a list of some specific things not to say on an interview:

1. "I've got a flight already booked and it’s in two months"

Personal, vacation, and sick leaves rank number one in the list of top 10 things not to say in an interview. Asking for time off before you’re even hired shows that the job you’re applying for isn’t your number one priority.

Don’t mention this even if you’re already talking to your potential boss.

2. “My last boss was a raving lunatic”

Don’t gripe about your previous employer, salary, benefits, or manager. Your reasons for leaving may be understandable and may even earn you some sympathy. But that won’t last long once the interviewer stops to think about the other side of the story.

Besides, complaining also shows lack of coping mechanisms and communication skills. The interviewer will wonder why you didn’t talk to your boss or co-workers about the problem.

3. “I’m nervous” 

The interviewer expects you to come prepared. Admitting that you’re nervous shows lack of preparation and isn't one of the best things to say in an interview. Yes, interview jitters are normal, but you don’t have to say it out loud because that'll make the interviewer think you’re not confident about your skills. Worse, admitting you’re nervous might make you feel edgier.

When a tad nervous, some of the best things to say in an interview include “I’m excited” or "I'm really looking forward to this," because nervousness or fidgeting and excitement share similar symptoms.

4. “I don’t have all the skills required for the job”

 Don’t voluntarily disclose your weakness or anything that shows you lack all the credentials required for the job. It’s the interviewer’s job to decide whether you’re a good fit for the role. Since you got an interview, there’s a good chance you are, even if you lack some qualifications.

Similarly, don’t talk about any of your previous mistakes at work, unless you were asked to talk about how you handled failure.

Find out how you can answer questions about failures and weaknesses here:

5. “Can I work from home?”

Asking about alternative working arrangements is a big turn-off until you receive a job offer.

A job’s location and schedule are often posted at the bottom of a job advertisement. But if it’s not stated you can ask in a way that won’t make you look like a diva. For example:

“What are the hours for this job?”
“What is the typical schedule for this team?”

Ask about the work arrangement and other important details found in the article below once you've got a job offer:

6. “What does the company do?”

Asking about the company’s business proceedings shows lack of initiative. The interviewer may think that you’re not invested in the job you’re applying for and that you’re wasting their time.

Don’t ask this question unless the company is new and has no online footprint. And in the rare situation that this is actually the case, you should emphasize how you researched the company, but couldn’t find much information on them. Here's some guidance on preparing answers for interview questions:

7. “I don’t have a babysitter”

Things to say at an interview expressly do not include sharing your family and logistics problems. It won’t end well.

Some interviewers may understand your predicament. But what if you encounter someone who will label these challenges as conflicting priorities with the company? After all, you won’t be able to concentrate at work if you don’t have a reliable babysitter or whatever it is you need to focus at work. 

8. “This job is a great stepping stone for my dream job”

Saying this gives the impression that you won’t stay long in the position you’re applying for. Even if this is truly the case, you don’t want the interviewer to think that you’re not committed to the long-term growth of the company.

Ask about career advancement or learning opportunities instead to show that you’re not just committed to advancing your own interests but are also willing let the company benefit from your professional growth.   

9. “That’s a nice tie/watch/necklace”

Attempts to sweet talk your interviewer will always feel fake for them, no matter how genuinely intended. Don’t do it.

Research the interviewer beforehand to see if you share a common alma mater, hometown, or hobbies. Then use this information if you really want to break the ice.

10. “I’m not really looking for a job”

A corporate headhunter may have convinced you to go to a job interview, even if you’re happily employed. That won’t matter anymore once you meet the interviewer.

If you come to the interview that means you’re open to new opportunities, so don’t say you’re not looking for a job. The interviewer might think you’re just arrogant or are wasting their time. Either way, those aren't the kind of impressions you want to make.  

11. “I don’t have any questions”

Saying this makes you look sloppy. A well-prepared and confident applicant will always have some questions at the end of the interview.

What to say on a job interview includes questions that show your curiosity about the company. Also, the quality and quantity of the questions you ask shows how well you paid attention during the interview. The tutorial below can help you think of the right questions to ask:

12. "Oh s#%t" and Other Vulgar Language

Swearing and vulgar language has no place in your job interview. It can be one of the quickest and most jolting ways to show your unprofessionalism. Your interviewer may very well think: "If this candidate acts this way during the interview on their best behavior, imagine how they'll act if they actually get the job!" 

13. "One time when I was in high school..." 

Oversharing spontaneous personal stories is one of the fastest (and most annoying!) ways to steer your interview off track.

While a personal anecdote from when you were in high school may seem interesting to you, it's highly improbable your interviewer will find it worth their time if it's not related to the discussion at hand.

It's best not to wander off on unrelated tangents and personal stories that don't have anything to do with the interview. This only distracts from the goal of the meeting. 

Find Resume Templates

Keep in mind that your job interview will be affected by what's on your resume. If you don't supply the interviewer with interesting information about your career, you may not get the chance to show them how great you can be for their team. In written form, things to say at an interview include what's on your resume.

Want to save time and have a great looking resume too? Then find your next resume template on Envato Elements. Envato Elements includes tons of professional, modern templates that are ready for you to add your final touches.

With an Elements subscription, you can download any template and customize it to your job needs. Save time and get a better-looking resume, all while focusing on your next exciting job opportunity! Check out professional, clean templates on Envato Elements today.

Freshen up your resume today with one of these templates, or write a new one with the help of our ultimate guide on this subject. For some examples of great resume templates, Look to these articles for inspiration:

Now You Know the Right (and Wrong) Things to Say in Your Job Interview! 

Whether you’re interviewing for an entry-level, executive, or technical role, these basic phrases and guidelines won’t change. With a little preparation, things to say at an interview don't have to be complicated or scary.

Commit these to memory. That way you can mention all the must-say phrases and anecdotes while steering clear from the interview-ending phrases on all your future job interviews. 

So, now you know what to say on a job interview - and just as importantly, what not to say! These guidelines will serve you well in a variety of job-hunting situations. Good luck on your job hunt!

Editorial Note: This post was last published in June 2020. It's been completely reviewed for accuracy and relevancy by Chamira Young. A video has also been added.

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