What not to talk about in a job interview: see the top tips

After understanding how to do well in a job interview , it is also essential to know what to avoid, to further improve your performance.

So keep reading this article to improve your interview skills!

1. Don’t lie

Lying is one of the main mistakes during a job interview. At first, it can even help you pass the selection process and even get the job you want .

However, on a day-to-day basis at work, this could end up hurting you, because people started to realize that maybe you don’t have the skills you said you had. In addition, you can pass on a vacancy that does not match your profile and, therefore, feel unhappy at work for not being able to perform the function so well.

That way, for you to find a vacancy that really makes sense to you and that has the potential to bring you professional fulfillment, you need to be sincere throughout the selection process.  

2. Don’t badmouth your old job

That’s not to say you can’t be critical of past work, but the main point of attention here is to always use respectful language when mentioning it.

Speaking badly about your previous job, especially in a disrespectful way, can convey an extremely negative image about you, because the person interviewing may think that if you leave the company one day, you can do the same as you are doing with your old job.

So if you’re going to criticize, do it respectfully and constructively.

3. Don’t use inappropriate language

Even if the company has a more informal tone, try not to overdo it in informality. Avoid using a lot of slang or swearing during the interview.

There’s also no need to be too formal. Ideally, you observe the way the interviewer is talking to you and, based on that, adapt your language.

Adapting the language so that it is similar to who you are talking about can help you create a bond with the person, in addition to also helping in a clearer and easier to understand communication .

4. Avoid asking very basic information about the company

Before going to the interview, it is essential that you research information about the company, from its history to the mission, vision and values.

Research and study as much as you can about the organization so that you arrive prepared to ask different questions than most people would, as this helps you stand out from the crowd.

In addition, the survey also prevents you from asking for very basic information, which could end up showing that you did not make an effort to look for the minimum amount of information about the company available on the internet.

5. Don’t go against company values

It is very important that you know what the company values ​​in its work environment and in its employees. It is possible to find the company’s values ​​and what each one represents easily, just search the organization’s name on Google and find the company’s official page with the values ​​or culture.

Write everything down, keep in mind what the organization values ​​and know how to give concrete examples for each of the situations.

For example, for a company that values ​​teamwork, you’re better off talking about situations where you cooperated with your team to solve a problem and not talking about a project you carried out alone, without anyone’s help.

6. Try not to give too vague answers

Another point that can harm you at this time is offering very vague answers. For example, when a recruiter asks you to mention a situation in which you applied a culture value or that you solved a problem, they expect you to tell them how you did it and what results you achieved with it .

So, when talking about a project or a skill that was developed, think about how you did it and what results you got. But also don’t go on too long and talk for a long time, be objective and tell only the necessary details.

7. Don’t interrupt the person you are interviewing

Another good practice during an interview is not to interrupt the interviewer, wait for your turn to speak. If you really must interrupt the person while they are talking, be polite when you do so and avoid unexpected interruptions.

Interrupting can be interpreted negatively, for example, that you don’t know how to listen to other people, an essential skill in everyday work.