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You’ve gotten a response from an application. Kudos!
Now comes the hard part, the job interview process. Going on interviews is easily the most stressful part of a job search. It’ll make or break your opportunity with a company.
When preparing for your interview there are a few things you should plan to avoid. Touching on the following topics may decrease your chances of getting hired.
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Your difficult job search
Avoid mentioning how hard your job search has been. It’ll make you appear desperate and interviewers may assume there’s a reason that you’re still on the market. Don’t panic if you’re asked by the interviewer how long you’ve been looking. Politely mention that you have been open to opportunities for a short while, but the right position hasn’t yet presented itself.
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How much you hated your last job
Never, ever, ever portray your past employer negatively during interviews. Only reference challenges if you follow up with improvements that you made. Talking badly about your past company reflects poorly on you. If you bad mouth, your interviewer might suspect that you’re difficult to work with, you can’t handle conflict or that you’ll speak poorly of them in the future.
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The vacation time
Don’t ask about vacation time before you’re even in the door. Of course you want to know their perks and benefits, but there’s a time and a place (like after they’ve offered you the job). Talking about vacation time too soon may give the impression that you’re always trying to get away from work.
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Promotions
Rather than asking when you’ll receive your first promotion, ask about the overall growth potential of their employees. Discussing when you should expect a promotion before they’ve seen your performance is a bit forward. If you’re still dying to know, do your own research on how the company promotes instead of asking the interviewer.
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Entrepreneurial aspirations
If you’re applying to work for someone else don’t emphasize your desire to be self-employed in the near future. They might assume that this is only a temporary career pit stop for you. Unless the company is seeking a temporary worker, you could be passed up for another candidate that appears more dedicated for the long haul.
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Background or salary of the interviewer
The interview process is about you not about the person performing the interview. Don’t be too inquisitive about the interviewers background. Focus on what you can bring to the table. Afterwards, you can check up on their history on LinkedIn. Most professionals have an updated profile with their credentials.
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Personal life
Be careful of idle chit-chat before and after the interview. A little small-talk can break the ice between you and the interviewer. Too much small-talk and you may divulge some information that is better left in private.
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Difficulty with past co-workers
Put your difficult interactions with past co-workers, bosses or staff to bed. They have no business in an interview unless you’re asked a direct question about co-worker challenges. When answering the question stick to the facts, avoid emotion, and end with how you succeeded in dealing with the situation.
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Salary or benefits
Don’t ask about salary until you’re well into the interview process. At the beginning stages you’re just courting each other; don’t pop the question before a serious relationship forms. Discussing salary later is a benefit to you. It gives you time to reflect on the responsibilities of the position and come up with your desired base salary. You could leave money on the table if you prematurely accept a salary offered during the first interview.
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Gossip
It’s a small world. You could hear a juicy rumor about the company where you’re interviewing. Keep the word on the street to yourself. Speaking on it will make you appear gullible and unprofessional, especially if you haven’t done your research on the facts.
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