What should you never say in a job interview? In short: anything that bad-mouths a former employer, sounds arrogant or desperate, dodges the question, or shows you didn’t prepare. The fastest ways to lose an interview usually have nothing to do with your skills. They come down to how you carry yourself in the room.
Below, Churchill’s Human Resources Manager Helen Rogerson runs through the seven most common interview no-nos she sees, and what to do instead.
You might think that it’s pretty obvious how to behave in job interviews. After all, the same basic rules of human interaction and courtesy apply, right?
But, our Human Resources Manager, Helen Rogerson, says it’s surprising how poorly people conduct themselves when they are put in the high-pressure situation of a job interview. “I’ve seen people come to interviews for senior management positions reeking of alcohol and looking disheveled. I’ve rung people to arrange interviews and their phone manner has been so terrible that I’ve changed my mind and not gone ahead with the interview. Sometimes, people make your decision easy.”
So, to make sure none of us make a misstep in future interviews, Helen has put together a list of what not to do or say when you’re in the hot seat and your future career is on the line.
The 7 worst job interview no-nos
1. Arriving late
If you don’t arrive at a job interview on time, it communicates that you either have poor time management skills, poor organisational skills, or you don’t care enough to make sure you are prompt.
What does this say about you as a future employee?
2. Not taking care with your appearance
Here are some guidelines: Dress neatly, in ironed clothes. Dress appropriately for the level or role, which means a suit and tie or corporate wear for management positions.
Don’t wear a hat, or excessive makeup. Do wear deodorant!
3. Being coy about pay
“It’s not appropriate to ask about the money first in an interview, but it’s definitely advisable to ask at the end, just by saying that you’d like to confirm the pay,” Helen says.
“It’s a waste of everyone’s time if the salary you require doesn’t match what’s being offered, so it’s best to make sure it does, before things progress.”
4. Not using your manners
Not making eye contact, being rude to the receptionist, slouching in your chair, chewing gum and only speaking to interviewers of your own gender are all things she has personally witnessed and all out of line, Helen says.
“Your body language speaks volumes, so be aware of what you’re communicating non-verbally.”
5. Bad-mouthing the last place
You may have had a bad experience with your last employer. Perhaps you did lose faith in the product or service you were selling, or there was some acrimony between you and them. But, diplomacy is key.
Your interviewer will respect your discretion and professionalism if you keep your negative feelings to yourself.
6. Getting personal
While it’s okay to show a bit of personality in an interview, it’s not appropriate to give the interviewers the inside word on your personal life.
Divulging too much about yourself and your circumstances can make things awkward, and turn the focus off your capacity to do the job you’re applying for.
7. Talking too much or too little
This may sound like it’s impossible to reach a happy medium with how much you speak in an interview, but it’s really just about how you express yourself.
When you have carefully considered answers, they will sound carefully considered: precise and concise. If you don’t know how to respond immediately, take a moment to think, rather than just starting to talk.
What to do instead: your interview do’s
Knowing what not to say is half the job. Here is the other half. Each situation Helen flags above has a simple positive version worth practising before you walk in:
- Arrive about 10 to 15 minutes early. It shows you are organised and takes the pressure off.
- Dress one notch above the role, in neat, ironed clothes.
- Research the company, the role and the industry beforehand, so your answers show genuine interest. For more on this, see our guide to the key things employers want.
- Prepare two or three specific examples of your work that prove you can do the job.
- Leave pay until the end, then confirm the range politely.
- Mind your manners with everyone, including the receptionist. Your body language speaks volumes.
- Listen as much as you talk, and take a moment to think before you answer.
Helen’s rule of thumb: “Treat everything from the car park to the final handshake as part of the interview. Preparation and respect are what people remember.”
Interviewing over Zoom or Teams? A few of these rules shift on camera, from your background to your eye contact. See our online interview tips for the virtual version.
What not to say when you’re asked about your weaknesses
One question trips up more candidates than any other: “What’s your greatest weakness?”
The instinct is to dodge it with a humble-brag, “I’m a perfectionist,” or “I just work too hard.” Don’t. Interviewers hear those answers every day, and they read as exactly what they are: a way of avoiding the question.
Instead, name a real but minor weakness, then show how you manage it. Maybe you used to take on too much yourself, so now you delegate earlier and check in sooner. Self-awareness and a plan land far better than a polished non-answer.
Walk in with your qualifications already sorted
Nothing steadies your nerves in an interview like knowing your experience is formally recognised. If your skills come from years on the job rather than a classroom, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can turn that experience into a nationally recognised qualification you can name with confidence, with no exams or coursework.
Not sure which one fits? Try the free qualification finder, or apply for a free RPL appraisal to find out what you’re eligible for.
Find out what you’re eligible for
Job interview no-nos: common questions
Avoid anything that bad-mouths a former employer, sounds arrogant or desperate, or shows you didn’t prepare. Don’t ask about pay before anything else, don’t over-share about your personal life, and don’t give a fake weakness like “I’m a perfectionist.” Keep your answers honest, considered and professional.
Arriving late is the quickest way to make a poor first impression, because it signals poor time management before you have said a word. Close behind are bad-mouthing a former employer and being rude to reception staff. Small courtesies carry more weight than most candidates realise.
Don’t reach for a humble-brag like “I’m a perfectionist” or “I work too hard.” Interviewers hear it constantly and it reads as dodging the question. Name a genuine but minor weakness, then show the practical steps you take to manage it. Self-awareness impresses more than a polished non-answer.
Yes, but timing matters. Asking about money first can look like it is your only interest. Wait until the end, then confirm the pay range politely. As Helen Rogerson puts it, it is a waste of everyone’s time if the salary doesn’t match what you need, so it is worth checking before things progress.
Aim to arrive about 10 to 15 minutes early. That gives you time to settle, find the room and compose yourself without leaving the interviewer waiting. Arriving late suggests poor organisation, while turning up far too early can put pressure on your host.
Dress neatly in clean, ironed clothes, and dress for the level of the role. For management positions that usually means corporate wear, a suit and tie. Skip hats and heavy makeup, and don’t forget deodorant. When in doubt, dress one notch above what you would wear on the job.
