What not to say
In our desperate attempts at making small talk and appearing oh-so down-to-earth, we often make the mistake of blurting out the inappropriate at interviews. And even if it's just an informal meeting with potential bosses or co-workers, there's a limit to what you're at liberty to say. As important as it is to convey your thoughts properly and express your enthusiasm for your shiny new job, you need to know the boundary between the personal and the professional, the interesting and the irrelevant. More often than not, we've been victims of our own word vomit and once it's out there, there's no turning the clock back.
Here's a couple of serious no-no's when it comes to pleading your case, which if you can avoid, you're probably in the clear.
Don't say: “My boss there was a complete ball-buster. He always had it in for me”
Bosses are meant to be demanding (amongst other things). And what's to say that your new boss won't be the same and you won't go around playing him down too? You're not doing yourself a favour by complaining about your boss. Even if your former workplace was really just a pain to deal to with and you've passed the point of no return whining about it, stop and add the word 'but' and move on about how you overcame obstacles and cooperated with your team. Your future boss is more interested in your ability to solve the problems.
Don't say: “I love your shoes”
Needless to say this is hardly relevant when it comes to interviews. Even if your to-be superior is some flashy done-up fashionista, commenting on their appearance will make you come off as unserious and insincere, which is probably the last thing you want. Don't try and force commonalities with your interviewer either – one of the most important things to remember during any interview is not to lie and not to fake interest. If you're really trying to get on their good-side and can't beat the urge to pay a compliment, do some background research on your interviewer's recent accomplishments and tell them how much you enjoyed reading about it.
Don't say: “Nope, I don't think I have any questions. You went over everything”
Not asking questions makes you look nervous at best and unprepared at worst. You're not just looking for a paycheck so if nothing else, ask something like “What do you think really sets apart your employees?” or “What are some of the challenges you face in your industry?” Your future boss is going to learn more about you from the questions you ask than from the answers you give.
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