What Not To Say In An Interview
- Carolina Aguilar
- Jan 21
- 3 min read
When preparing for an interview, most of the advice focuses on what you should do to make a positive impression—how to answer questions, how to present yourself, and how to articulate your skills effectively. But it’s equally important to be aware of what not to say. While there’s no strict script for every interview, some responses should be avoided in order to help you land the role you applied for.
In this blog, we’ll cover a few statements you should avoid and provide tips on what to say instead.
1. When Asked: Why Did You Apply for This Role?
Don’t say: “Because I’m looking for a job.”
We as recruiters, HR/ Hiring Managers understand that yes, you have applied for the position because you are looking for a job, that is obvious. But when you answer this question like this, it comes across like you applied because you are looking for any type of job. And while this might be true, no company wants to hire people that have not put into thought as to why they want this particular role/work at this company.
What to say instead: Highlight specific aspects of the role or company that resonate with you. For example: “I was excited to see this opening because I’m passionate about [specific industry/skill], and I’ve been following your company’s work in [specific area]. I see this role as a great opportunity to contribute my skills while continuing to grow professionally.”
2. When Asked: What Are Your Weaknesses?
Don’t say: “I don’t have any weaknesses.”
This question can be intimidating and it is often times used in the interview process not because companies want you to fail, but because companies want to see that you are reflective and have a growth mindset. What do I mean by this? If you are asked what your weaknesses are and you say: I don't have any - this is simply not true. Everyone has something they need to work on/would like to improve on, saying that you have zero weaknesses comes across as arrogant and as someone who is not self-aware/looking to grow.
What to say instead: Share a non-critical weakness and follow it up with how you’re addressing it. For example: “I sometimes get caught up in the details of a project, but I’ve been working on improving my time management by setting clear priorities and deadlines.”
3. When Asked: What Do You Know About Our Company?
Don’t say: “Not much. I didn’t have time to research.”
Failing to research the company signals a lack of preparation and interest. It may make the interviewer question how serious you are about the role.
What to say instead: Do your homework before the interview. Reference key points about the company’s mission, recent achievements, or just the product in general. For instance: “I know that your company has been a leader in [specific area] and recently launched [specific project or initiative], which aligns with my own experience.”
4. When Asked About Your Previous Job or Employer
Don’t say: “I hated my last boss/job.”
Speaking negatively about a past employer or role can make you appear unprofessional or difficult to work with. Even if it's true, unfortunately, it won't look good on you to share those negative experiences.
What to say instead: I had a great time at working at *company name* but due to lack of internal growth, it felt that it was the right time for me to grow/experience something new. Or even "I am looking to join a smaller company, I've learned that large organizations aren't for me - I would like more autonomy." Whatever the circumstance, try to refrain from saying that the reason you left was due to your boss.
5. When Asked: Do You Have Any Questions for Us?
Don’t say: “No, I think you’ve covered everything.”
This is a huge mistake a lot of people make, again, not having questions at the end of your interview makes it look like you don't care to learn more about the role, or are even curious about the position you have applied for. There must be something that you want to ask, and if you don't - then maybe this role won't be the role for you.
What to say instead: Prepare thoughtful questions in advance. For instance: “Can you tell me more about the team I’d be working with?” or “What does success look like in this role after six months?”
These are some questions that will most likely come up on the first interview with HR or a Recruiter, and by avoiding these answers and spending a bit more time researching the company and tailoring your answer to the role you have applied for - it will help massively during the job hunting process.
Thanks for reading!
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