Everything you say in a job interview shapes the recruiter’s impression of you and can be crucial. This is confirmed by recruiters from the SELECTIO Group, who conduct interviews for executive, middle-management, and specialist positions across almost all industries. One of the most important pieces of advice recruiters have for candidates is – good preparation.
To make your preparation easier, we have listed sentences that you should definitely avoid saying in a job interview, along with tips on how to adapt your answers to leave an impression of professionalism, openness, and willingness to learn. Prepare well and think in advance about what you will say, but do not memorize your answers word by word. It is important to remain authentic and consistent – and to be confident.
‘It’s already in my resume.’
Instead, say that you mentioned this detail in your resume because you believe it is highly relevant for the position you are applying for. Highlight why and share more information about the specific responsibility or result you achieved.
Why? When a recruiter asks a question about a detail from your resume, they most often want to gain deeper insight into the skill, responsibility, or result they consider crucial for the position you’re discussing. These details allow the recruiter to better present you to the hiring manager and connect your experience and achievements to the specific requirements of the position. Use this question to show how your experience directly relates to the needs of the position and share relevant information that might not have fit in your resume.
‘My superiors have never given me negative feedback.’
Instead, share an example of constructive feedback you received. Explain how you reacted, what steps you took to improve your work, and how it helped you become better at your job. If your effort resulted in positive feedback from your superior, make sure to highlight that.
Why? It is unrealistic to claim that you have never received any negative feedback. Everyone at some point in their career receives negative feedback that pushes them to improve. When they ask about the negative feedback you’ve received, recruiters are trying to assess your ability to accept constructive feedback, your attitude towards it, and how you react and act after receiving it.
‘I don’t think I have any weaknesses.’
Instead, highlight a weakness you have identified as an area for improvement that is not highly relevant to the position you are applying for. Explain what steps you have taken to overcome it and highlight the progress you’ve made.
Why? Just as it is unrealistic to say you’ve never received negative feedback; it is also unrealistic to claim you have no weaknesses – no one is perfect. Recruiters ask about your weaknesses to assess your self-awareness, ability to recognize areas for improvement, and willingness to work on yourself. Recognizing and acknowledging your weakness is not necessarily negative, especially if you show maturity, initiative, and dedication to continuous development in your response.
‘I didn’t get along with my former colleagues or superiors.’
Instead, say something like: “Former colleagues (or superiors) and I had different working styles, and sometimes there were disagreements in how we approached tasks, but I was always open to constructive feedback and tried to focus on achieving the team’s goals.”
Why? Soft skills such as the ability to successfully collaborate with colleagues, superiors, and clients are increasingly valued in employees. Throughout our careers, we’ve all encountered challenging colleagues, whether due to differing work styles or personalities, but collaboration in such situations is often inevitable. Employers want to understand how you approach such situations – do you find a compromise, stay focused on goals, and how do you resolve potential disagreements? Instead of emphasizing the negative aspects of disagreement, use this opportunity to show how you turned a challenging situation into a learning opportunity, personal growth, and a positive contribution to the team.
‘I’ve never made a mistake at work.’
Instead, explain a specific mistake you made in a particular situation. Clarify that you immediately tried to find a solution, notified your superiors, and especially highlighted what you learned from the experience. Describe what actions you took to prevent making the same mistake again.
Why? It is inevitable to make mistakes at least once in your career. Employers are not looking for the perfect employee who has never made a mistake, but someone who knows how to react when a mistake happens and is willing to learn from it. Recruiters ask about your mistakes to understand how you act when you make an error, what steps you take to resolve the problem, and how you ensure that mistakes are not repeated. Use this opportunity to show how you learned valuable lessons from your mistakes and how those situations helped shape you into a better professional.
‘I don’t know.’
Instead, say that at the moment you don’t have enough information to provide a fully informed answer but that you would be happy to research and learn more about the topic.
Why? A simple “I don’t know” can leave an impression of disinterest, lack of preparation, or initiative – even if this is not the case. Employers are looking for candidates who are ready to recognize their current knowledge gaps but who also demonstrate the initiative to learn and research what they don’t know. Instead of letting the “I don’t know” answer close the conversation, use it as an opportunity to show openness, flexibility, and a desire for continuous learning, qualities that employers highly value.
‘I don’t have any questions about the position or the company.’
Instead, say something like: “Before the interview, I researched the company, and I’m especially interested in (specific question). Also, during the interview, you mentioned (specific detail that intrigued you during the conversation), so I’d love to learn more about that.”
Why? Saying that you don’t have any questions about the position, or the company can leave an impression of disinterest or insufficient preparation. Asking relevant questions shows that you’ve researched the company, that you are interested in the position, and that you’re engaged in the selection process. Furthermore, the job interview is not only an opportunity for the employer to assess you but also for you to assess whether the position and organization are the right fit for you. Actively asking questions helps you make an informed decision and leaves an impression of a candidate who is motivated, thoughtful, and seriously committed to the opportunity.
To prepare as best as you can and think through all the key information you want to highlight, check out our ultimate guide to successful job interview. In it, you’ll find tips on areas of conversation that are best avoided during an interview, as well as those you can use to highlight your experience and competencies and also assess if a company is the right fit for you.
