While it’s ideal for a job interview to be an honest discussion between the candidate and the interviewer about the role, being overly candid can sometimes cost the candidate the job opportunity.
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According to Business Insider, honesty and integrity are generally considered virtues in the workplace. However, when it comes to job interviews, being too honest with the interviewer by sharing the whole truth about oneself or one’s work experience can cost the candidate the job opportunity. Here are eight statements that you should avoid as they won’t do you any favors during a job interview.
1. “I didn’t include that job in my resume because I only worked there for two months”
Your resume and job application do not have to be a comprehensive list of everything you’ve ever done. Your resume is a self-marketing document, so choose the best things you have to put in it. Mentioning that you worked somewhere for two months may cause the interviewer to wonder what made you leave. Were you fired? Did you not get along with your colleagues?
The exceptions to this case are summer jobs, temporary jobs, contract jobs, or some other positions that are clearly designed to be temporary. For these types of jobs, you can still include them in your resume.
2. “I’m going to apply to grad school in the fall”
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to further your education, but this statement essentially says, “I plan to leave this job in a year or less”.
If you’re certain you have plans to attend a nearby school or participate in online classes that won’t interfere with work hours, then studying isn’t an issue. However, recruiters for some jobs, especially high-pressure, high-volume work, will worry that you can’t balance work and school. So, be careful with this statement.
3. “My last job was a nightmare”
The HR department understands that there are bad bosses and bad jobs out there, and some of them may have even experienced such cases themselves. But if a job candidate starts complaining about a previous job or manager, the interviewer has no way of verifying the whole story from both sides. The only thing they know when you say this is that you’re not really discreet, and this is not a point in your favor.
4. “I don’t have any references”
Not having references is a disadvantage. If you can’t find anyone to speak about your previous work, whether it’s a former manager, colleague, client, or peer from volunteer work, most recruiters will assume that you had serious problems in your previous jobs.
5. “I see this as a foot in the door, and I hope to move up quickly”
While you may think this statement shows your ambition in your career, most managers will think that you won’t dedicate enough time to the position they are currently recruiting for. Managers look for stability when recruiting, and they usually want employees to stay in the position for at least a few years or longer.
Frequently asked questions
Your resume is a marketing document, so choose wisely what you include. A short stint may raise questions about your departure, whether you were fired or had issues with colleagues. Only mention temporary, contract, or summer jobs designed to be short-term.
Stating your plans to attend grad school soon may imply you intend to leave the job quickly. Recruiters may worry about your ability to balance work and education, especially for high-pressure jobs. If your studies won’t interfere with work, be clear about your ability to manage both.
Complaining about a previous job or manager may show a lack of discretion. The interviewer can’t verify your story and may question your professionalism. The HR department understands that bad jobs and bosses exist but values tact and confidentiality.
Not having references is a red flag for recruiters. If you can’t provide anyone to speak about your previous work, they may assume you had serious issues. Try to include former managers, colleagues, clients, or even peers from volunteer work as references.
While ambition is admirable, stating you want to ‘move up quickly’ may suggest you won’t commit long-term to the position being offered. Managers seek stability and employees who will stay in the role for a few years. Show dedication to the role during the interview process.
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