mouth in foot
Having spent the best part of my working life telling people what not to say at interview, only for them to invariably say it, I reckon it’s about time I brought these pearls of wisdom to the attention of the great unwashed. Here’s my top-10 of things not to say at interview, unless you don’t really want the job and you’re only there as it was raining outside and you promised your mum you’d do your damndest that day:
– “Sorry, I’m late.” Don’t be late in the first place. The prospective company doesn’t want you to be 25 minutes late every morning. Next.
– “What’s your sickness policy and can I have all the Bank Holidays off?” Doh. Next. Get the job first.
– “I’ll just take this call.” No probs as you’re going to have a lot of time on your hands in the very near future. Next.
– When asked where you see yourself in five years, never, upon pain of death, mutter the truly facetious “doing your job.” Next. Get the job and work on that from within.
– “My previous employer sucked.” So do I. Next.
– “You make what? Now, I never knew that.” Do your homework. Next.
– “F*ck me, no kidding!” Never swear. Ever. Next.
– “I’m great with TLAs, SLAs, PEBs and a dab hand with ARCs.” Really? Tripe. Next.
– “You’re not really going to make me wear that are you?” It’s Homebase remember. Next.
– When asked what you think you’re going to most enjoy about working with us please don’t mention about trying to get-off with the receptionist at the Christmas do. Next.
Mind, I’ve heard them all!
