The Vet2Work Job Procurement and Advancement Series

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The Thumbs Down List

or What Not to Say in an Interview

Interview anxiety can often lead to nervous chatting.  Nervous chatting can lead to disaster in an interview.  Here are some things you should not discuss in an interview:

1.  Don’t tell the interviewer your personal troubles.  While the interviewer may have sympathy for your state, they will also be wondering if you can fully concentrate on the job, if hired.  Even if you have great skills, the interviewer will be wondering what percentage of the time you will be using those skills versus time you will be concentrating upon your personal problems.

2.  Don’t ask if there is room for advancement, salary growth, or if you will get a raise after probation.  Salary should never be broached by the interviewee on the first interview. 

3.  Don’t be excessive about your past work experience in the interview.  Too much information about your past experience may lead the interviewer to think “This guy/girl is going to go ‘this isn’t how we did it in my past position’”.

4.  Don’t appear too relaxed.  Appearing too relaxed may make you appear arrogant, over-rehearsed.   Don’t slouch; drape your arms on chair armrests, or cross your legs. The interviewer may think “You’re not hired yet, so don’t make yourself too comfortable.”

5.  Don’t bring up your past salary history. Don’t make statements such as “Don’t let my past salary histories influence you…”

6.  Don’t under dress for any position.  The interview is the opportunity to put your best foot forward and if you come underdressed you express that you may not be really interested in the position.

7.  Don’t overdress for the position.   If you are interviewing for a field position, then don’t wear an extremely expensive suit.  The employer will wonder how willing you will be to do the less glamorous job.

8.   Don’t overexposure yourself.   Too much cleavage or leg exposure is distracting and can take away from the actual employment contributions you can make to the employer. 

 9.  Don’t wear extra/excessive jewelry.  Both males and females should keep their jewelry to a minimum and match as much as possible.  If you have multiple piercings on your ears, limit the earrings to one matching earring on each ear.  

10.  Don’t display tattoos.  While tattoos are generally a personal statement, the interview isn’t the place to make it.

11.  Don’t fidget.  Don’t stroke your head, hair, facial hair, move your hands, or cross your legs. This shows nervousness. 

12.  Don’t chew gum.

© Copyright Vet2Work/Naturallysilver 2010-11. No re-publication of this article is permitted without express permission. This is an excerpt from "Successful Career Moves" by C.A. Stapleton. About the author:  C.A. Stapleton, A.S., B.S., M.B.A., is an experienced, published professional career consultant, mentor, and résumé/ biographical writer.