What to say at an interview and what not to say: examples

Dialogue with the interviewer is very important when applying for a job. Nobody knows what questions the employer will want to hear answered. And there are no template replicas, because it is impossible to stock up on cliches for all occasions.

Each applicant decides for himself what he will say at the interview. After all, in addition to standard questions, employers often ask their opponents tricky ones. Therefore, in order to successfully pass an interview with an employer, you must follow generally accepted principles.

What to say about yourself at an interview

Usually the manager offers a very simple and at the same time complex task: tell about yourself. Here you need to proceed from what the recruiter wants to know by asking such a question? Undoubtedly, the employer is interested in your professional field of activity, and not in stories from your personal life. However, you shouldn’t duplicate information from your resume either. Retelling dry biographical facts is unlikely to impress the employer.

Provide only information that directly relates to your future place of work:

talk about your qualifications, experience and professional qualities, such as seriousness, attentiveness, accuracy, truthfulness, hard work.
Your presentation should be based on your professional strengths. Especially highlight those aspects that your competitors lack. This submission will bring your employment closer.

Do not mention in your monologue that the vacant position will help improve your life. The employer should not know that the new position, in your opinion, will open the way to a new world for you: it will help you purchase real estate, help you move abroad, or simply help you save money.

Having told your manager about such plans, the latter may think that you are not interested in working for the company, and you view it only as a means to improve your financial situation.

What to report about deficiencies

At some interviews, a provocative question is asked about what shortcomings you have. And then the applicant finds himself at a loss and does not understand what is going on. Since an interview is not a confession with a priest, leave excessive frankness at the office door.

Here you can base your answer on an example of how you made the wrong decision because of your persistence. Tell us how the stubbornness of your character played a cruel joke on you. Let them know that the incident taught you a harsh but valuable lesson, and that you will prevent a similar situation from happening in the future.

The recruiter will appreciate such frankness, because there are no ideal people, but not everyone can benefit from unpleasant moments.

What to tell an employer when applying for a job

To ensure that the employer has a good impression of you, you need to prepare for the interview in advance. Everything is important here - from clothing style and behavior to the ability to express one’s thoughts.

During a conversation with an employer, it is strictly prohibited:

use slang;
touch on the topic of religion, politics, etc.;
talk about financial and personal problems.

There is no need to show everyone your awareness of the issue at the interview, flaunting your knowledge. Such behavior can not only cause the employer to become aggressive towards you, but also leave an unpleasant impression on you as a person in general. You must answer the questions asked truthfully. There is no need to invent something if in reality you have not encountered similar situations. As soon as you give the interviewer the slightest reason to doubt your correctness, he will ask a lot more questions about the same facts and events, confusing you until you confess.

If you have any private projects and work that you did outside of working hours, but they are not reflected in the work book, you can tell your employer about this. This will only confirm the fact of your professionalism.

Everyone decides for themselves what to say when applying for a job and what is better to remain silent about. The main thing is that the answers are sincere and the employer has the impression of you as a competent interlocutor in certain matters.

What to say at an interview when asked why you quit

It is very important for employers to know why you were not satisfied with your previous place of work. Under no circumstances should you speak badly about your ex-boss and former colleagues, even if they ruined your life. The recruiter may take this behavior of yours personally, and no one needs squabbles and insults in the team.

Your answer should be neutral, but contain important reasons for your departure not related to work in the new organization.

From a conversation with you, the recruiter wants to understand what motivated you to work in this organization. You can put the story at the forefront of what you learned about the company, got acquainted with its activities, and figured out that the company has proven itself well. Emphasize your professional interest in the company's activities and your desire to become part of the production process.

The recruiter may ask why you are constantly changing jobs. To avoid such questions, you need to write your resume correctly, since no one likes defectors. If the employer nevertheless touches on this topic, it is necessary to talk about the liquidation of the enterprise, a change of place of residence, or a deliberately temporary job due to the completion of a diploma. Mention that you now need permanent, full-time employment.

Interview stages

The entire interview process can be divided into several separate stages:

It is the applicant who experiences the most anxiety. Of course, because of such a side feeling, it is difficult to understand what a person is like; in this case, it is customary to relieve tension. The employer can ask how quickly the person found this place, whether he likes the company, how the weather is outside, and any other non-binding question. As a rule, after several minutes of such communication, the applicant calms down and feels more confident;
The next stage of the interview is the interview itself. A person looking for a job must answer a few short questions. Often, the employer asks about what kind of work experience the candidate has and about his skills. In this case, you should not lie just to pass the interview. If you don’t have such skills, it will be easily revealed during work. An employer is the same person who does not want to spend a long time on an interview, so you need to give short answers to the question without additional frills. If the applicant has just received an education diploma, then he can report on what kind of work experience he has. Some organizations also provide for assessing the candidate using psychological testing;
After the applicant has answered all the questions, he can ask what interests him , now, in order to find out whether such a position is suitable for him.
After the interview, a decision is made. First of all, the employer accepts it based on the data provided for him. He can hire a person, provide him with an additional interview, or refuse him. As a rule, the employer does not inform that the person did not pass the interview; he promises to call him back or says that the staff is full and he needs to come at another time. There are also cases when the applicant himself refuses a position, for example, because the work schedule does not suit him.

How to talk about salary in an interview

Everyone knows that wages are of paramount importance to each of us. Every applicant is interested in discussing this topic. However, it is better to put money issues into the background. You can talk about the financial side after discussing work issues.

First, discuss with your manager the benefit that you will bring to the company if you are approved for the vacant position.

Ask about the conditions, work, find out if there is the necessary material for conducting production activities. Show the recruiter that first of all you are concerned about the work of the company, and only after that you can touch on the topic of your salary.

Reporting that the financial side does not concern you or not touching on this topic at all is also not recommended. Such a statement speaks of your unprofessionalism and incompetence. And your disinterest may be regarded as a disregard for the field of activity and for yourself in particular.

Therefore, you need to prepare for the discussion of this point in advance: study the salaries on the labor market and, based on the average salary, tell the recruiter the amount that would suit you. Remember that the financial capabilities of a global corporation and a small firm are somewhat different. Therefore, when asked how much you would like to earn, take this circumstance into account.

You will have to motivate the given figure with something. The recruiter is not interested in those applicants who are capable of switching to the side of a competitor who pays more.

If you have any other financial income related to your part-time job or your own business, it is better to remain silent about these aspects. The manager is unlikely to want to hire you, linking this with the fact that you will be distracted from your main activity.

How to behave correctly during an interview?

The key rule is to arrive a little earlier than the appointed time. It is better to wait 5-10 minutes in the reception area than to make a potential employer wait.

If being late is unavoidable, notify the recruiter by phone. Don't forget to apologize and explain in a nutshell the reason for being late. Find out if you will be received late or if it is better to reschedule the appointment for another time or day.

If you decide not to go to an interview at all, notifying the employer by phone is a rule of good manners.

First impression of you - show your best side

In the first few minutes, your interlocutor forms his opinion about you, so it is important to know how to behave during an interview in order to get hired. If the candidate selection procedure has been delayed, and you are not the first applicant, the recruiter may have accumulated fatigue; you should not expect sympathy at first sight. And get upset about it too.

To win someone over, demonstrate kindness. Start with the phrase “Hello. The location of your company’s office is very good, you can get there quickly.” This will become the basis for further conversation.

Try to behave confidently, do not show irritation. During the conversation, avoid the phrases “I don’t know”, “maybe”, “not sure”, answer questions thoughtfully and clearly. Psychologists are sure that speech is a reflection of our internal state. If you speak quietly, it will show your uncertainty or doubts.

See also: How to write an explanatory note for work, university, school, kindergarten - samples and examples

The right appearance is 50% success

Many companies have strict dress codes for employees. A business suit will be a win-win option, with the exception of professions where such a uniform is inappropriate (loaders, warehouse managers, cashiers, etc.). Women should forget about short tops and revealing tight-fitting outfits or miniskirts. For men, sneakers and tracksuits are prohibited. Clothing must be neat and clean. It’s better to try on your outfit at home before the interview: don’t you look ridiculous in it?

Dressing requirements for interviews:

It should help you create a pleasant impression.
It should be comfortable, it will give you self-confidence.
Business style is desirable.

Suitable colors are gray, dark blue and white. A hat is not required for the interview. Make sure that the overall look contains as few bright colors as possible.

Many applicants are confident that only their professional skills matter, and not their dress code. This is partly true, but they also pay attention to the applicant’s appearance, especially if he has obvious problems.

Basic requirements for the applicant’s appearance:

Well-groomed hands. A neat manicure is the prerogative of not only women, but also men. Say no to exposed cuticles and dirt under your nails, and use a moisturizing hand cream before leaving the house. Women can safely paint their nails in nude shades of varnish, but it is undesirable to grow too long nails;
Neat hairstyle. Choose a hairstyle that won't fall apart throughout the day. Avoid protruding curls and disheveled hair; sloppy people are not attractive to you;
Fewer accessories. You should not use an abundance of rings, massive bracelets or earrings in an attempt to show wealth. Keep it in moderation;
Calm makeup. Minimal use of cosmetics without bright accents will show any girl as a serious and business person;
Be careful with perfume. You can use perfume to complete your look, the main thing is not to overdo it. Otherwise, you will create a strong smell, which will cause discomfort to people.

Everyone has heard the proverb: “You are greeted by your clothes, you are seen off by your mind.” Don't miss the opportunity to make a good first impression with minimal effort. A formal business suit is not required for every position, but a neat appearance, well-groomed hands and polished shoes are a must for every person.

How to behave during an interview - basic rules

There is a paradox: the more important an event seems to us, the more we worry and the more mistakes we make when it finally arrives.

To make the interview easier, a few days before it, imagine that it has already taken place. Imagine what suit you are wearing, how the employer shakes your hand and congratulates you on your hiring - this will help replace fear with confidence in success.

To increase your chances of success, follow these basic rules:

Smile more - an easy way to win over your interlocutor. Try not to force a smile, rather remember a pleasant or funny incident from your life and go to the meeting with the recruiter in a good mood.
Speak calmly and clearly. Often, stress causes the voice to become tight and strained.
Gesture in moderation. Avoid touching your face or hair too often during a conversation. It is better to place your hands on the table, keep your feet close and avoid a too relaxed posture “like at home.”
Eye contact. It is not necessary to look directly into the person’s eyes all the time; you can select any point on the interlocutor’s face and look at it.
Keep small pauses in conversation. Talking too often indicates that you are nervous.

And remember - if the recruiter behaves rudely, arrogantly, asks incorrect questions that have nothing to do with the topic of the work and your position, or offers to undergo checks and tests that are inappropriate in your opinion, you always have the right to refuse.

You are a free person and first of all choose a place of work that is psychologically comfortable for you. If something doesn’t suit you and you don’t want to put up with it, politely say goodbye and leave the room.

What not to say at an interview

When asked how you see yourself in 5 years, you need to prepare a clear answer. Overly ambitious and ambitious people are unlikely to win favor with you.

It is prohibited to share plans to open your own business. The manager expects long-term cooperation from you, so base your answer on the implementation of the goals and objectives that you would achieve if you worked in this company.

When talking about achievements, mention only those that relate to the professional sphere. You don’t have to hide personal achievements, but you shouldn’t focus too much attention on them.

You should not report if one of your projects has failed. The recruiter, of course, will appreciate your impulse to implement it, but the disastrous result of the work will put you in a bad light.

If your manager is interested in your hobbies, tell them only about those that to some extent may be useful in your new job. For example, when applying for a position as an administrator at a sports complex, you can say that you have been swimming for a long time.

Even if you are a very versatile person, you should not talk about all your hobbies. There is no need to say that you are involved in boxing when applying for a position as a TV presenter.
No employer will like it if your hobby is gambling.

The manager will be quite satisfied with your answer if you say that you like to read, play sports, or prefer to relax in nature.

Key interview points to consider in advance

It’s not without reason that people are greeted by their clothes. First of all, it is worth paying attention to this factor. Of course, we are not talking about selling the furniture in your home and buying a brand from a famous designer. You should dress neatly and in a business style. The employer should have the impression that a well-groomed person is sitting in front of him.
If the interview is scheduled for a specific time, then the candidate is required to arrive without delay.
Each answer to a question should be brief, but at the same time detailed.
Only truthful information should be provided, as it can be easily verified.
In no case should one say that a person left his previous job because of terrible management; a new employer can take these words personally.
The candidate does not have to answer the questions immediately, but also has time to think about how best to express his thoughts.

What to ask a recruiter

During the interview, you, like the recruiter, can ask questions. Ask only what is directly related to your future place of work.

Avoid stupid and tactless questions. For example, it is not appropriate to ask whether there are single men in the company.
A bad impression will be formed about you if your interest concerns information that you already have to handle when you come to the interviewer. You should study all information about the company in advance.

Interest in your future functional responsibilities, features of the enterprise, and organizational issues is welcome. You can ask what the recruiter was not satisfied with in previous applicants.

Ask your manager:

who will become your boss,
how many people work in the department,
Do you have to travel on business trips?
Do you often have to work at odd hours?

Some important recommendations

Know that you have been invited to an interview so that the employer can evaluate your intelligence and professionalism. After all, every recruiter wants to work in a team with a qualified, creative, stress-resistant and sociable person. If you structure your answers according to this principle, you will make a good impression and get a job offer.
And whatever you say, the main thing is to give sincere and truthful answers. Present your positive qualities and hide your negative ones. You should not invent that you managed to increase your sales level on your own if this information is far from the truth. But a truthful story that you have established relationships with your partners will be appropriate at an interview.
Choose strong words. When communicating with a recruiter, watch your use of verbs. Perfect verbs such as did, noted, developed, completed, found will have a good effect on the employer. Indefinite verbs led, did, worked, set up - characterize you as a person doing something, but who did not complete the job.
Your voice should have clarity and confidence.