Sh*t Not To Say During That Big Job Interview

The employment process is often much like dating. You spend time searching through tons of prospects in hopes of finding the right “fit.” It’s often very time consuming, nerve wracking, and it may take a few duds before you find success. The first interview with a company can remind you of a first date: you spend days preparing for the big moment, hoping that you say all of the right things and do your best to bring your A game.

Of course, as a job seeker, you want to make sure you leave the right impression, but many people forget that an interview is meant to be interactive. The purpose behind interviewing – like dating – is to give both parties the opportunity to feel each other out. You have to be engaged, attentive and actually offer value if you expect to get a call back. As with a bad date, one false move or bad response could immediately eliminate all hopes of securing your dream job.

Here are a few things to avoid:

Never ask about something you could have easily looked up

Asking what the company does, who the founders are, or general questions about the role you’re interviewing for can put you out of the game – fast! Look at the company website and spend time studying what they do and where they’re going in the future. I often suggest looking into competitors, as well, just to get a feel of the company’s positioning in the marketplace. Also review the job description! That is an easy way to gage what area the company needs support in, and it can give you a guide as to how you can provide value. Always highlight how you can provide the solution to their problems.

Never ask about time off, lunch breaks, or holiday schedules

You haven’t gotten the job yet, so none of this matters! If you ask about any of this on the first interview, it’s basically suggesting that you don’t really care about the job; you just want to know about the perks. These questions are only appropriate later on in the process (like if you get are expecting an offer), after the company has shown genuine interest in bringing you on board.

Never ask about drug tests or background checks

Very simply put, don’t be an idiot. If you ever initiate a conversation about this, you’re screaming, “I have something to hide, and I want to cover it up before it’s too late.” I’ve never heard of someone being hired after asking about a screening process.

Never ask about compensation

Inquiring about how much the job pays during the initial interview translates to the interviewer asking you to get the hell out of his office. Of course, compensation matters.

You want to make sure the job can support your comfortable lifestyle. However, it should NEVER be brought up on the first interview. It’s best to do your research to see if it’s in the range of what you’re looking for.  Look up reviews to see what other people at the company make. You can also research the specific position to gain a better understanding of what’s fair in the market for the role at hand.

Most importantly, be confident, and be yourself! Don’t do anything strangely out of character, keep your head up and try to keep your nerves controlled. Also, bring out as much of your personality as possible. Remember, different companies garner unique cultures. If you don’t seem like a good fit for the company’s goals and environment, it can hurt your chances. Proper preparation, good questions, a bit of humor and great body language can get you very far.

Good luck!