Things that should not be mentioned in a job interview.

When you are searching for a job, getting an interview like a huge success but the interview is only one step in a long hiring process. For some jobs, dozens of people may be interviewed, and the competition will be high. That is why it is so important not to say or do the wrong things, since that first impression could end up being the last one. Here are things that should not be mentioned in a job interview.

1.) Do not compliment the interviewer's appearance in any way

Don’t say: “ I love your skirt!”

You are there for a purpose and most interviewers want to keep that boundary. If you do not maintain a little distance, they might take it the wrong way. If a man complimenting a woman, it might be seen as sexist or derogatory, even if his intentions are pure. If compliments in same-sex, interviews can also come across as insincere because the interviewer might think you are just trying to get on his good side.

If you are the kind of person who enjoys giving compliments, you may researching your interviewer’s professional achievements before the interview and bring them up during the interview.

2.) Do not cry

Don’t say: “It was the hardest thing I ever went through, and I still break down just thinking about it.”

Crying the first time you meet might lead the interviewer to think you are unstable. Employers look for people who can handle high-pressure situations and crying is a sign that you can’t handle the stress of being put on the spot in front of another person.

Showing a prospective employer you can manage your emotions is almost as important as showing you can manage people. In an interview setting you have to keep composure because in most jobs, you will be asked to appear in front of executives or clients at certain times, and the interviewer needs to see how you handle yourself. If possible, avoid telling emotional stories in interviews. If a moving story is relevant to the interview process, practice telling it as often as possible to avoid getting choked up.

3.) Do not talk about illnesses unless they’re relevant

Don’t say: “My back is killing me and this time of year is rough on my asthma.”

If there is a gap in your resume, it may be because you were in the hospital or had a serious illness and then it is relevant to the job but if you are just talking about how sick you are, then it is not relevant. Of course sometime medical topics can’t be avoided. For example, if you walk in on crutches, you needs to offer an explanation but keep it light.” What to say instead is “I was recuperating from surgery, and it hasn’t been a problem since.”

4.) Do not talk about problems at a previous company unless it is to show how you persevered

Don’t say: “I had so many problems with my former boss and he was a constant headache.”

If you do not specify that you found a solution to your problems, then any prospective employer will think that you had problems at your last job. If an interviewers ask about a problem you faced at your previous employer, they are more interested in your ability to solve the problem than the actual problem. Even if former boss were horrible, you have to include the key word ‘but,’ and then move on from there about what you did to succeed in that environment. Make sure your answer highlights how you overcame adversities and cooperated with co-workers.

5.) Do not force rapport

Don’t say: “I see you have kids. I love kids!”

Do not try and force commonalities with your interviewer. Items in the interviewer’s office might reflect his or her hobbies and interests, but it does not meant you have to like the same things. Rapport cannot be forced. If you don’t see anything you have in common with the interviewer, that is fine. Stick to small talk about the company. One of the most important things to remember during any interview is not to lie. You should never put yourself in a position where you have to answer a question that you are not prepared to answer.

6) Don’t say you were fired

Don’t say: “At my last job, I got canned.”

Even if you were fired you should not use that word. Saying you were fired could shift the tone of the interview and a prospective employer might start focusing on your

bad attributes and wondering the reasons you were dismissed instead of looking at your positives and focusing on your qualifications.

The truth is, you may be highly qualified and extremely good at your job but it was not a good fit at the company. If you use the word ‘fired,’ immediately the interviewer may not be able to see past that. However you must do not lie because your prospective employer may contact your former employer for more information. Find a way to explain the situation without using the word “fired.” You can say it was not a good fit and you want to try a new experience. Then describe what you learned from the experience and what you are focused on now.

7) "I just sort of... and then... and like... and uh... yeah."

If you ramble during your interview you will lose. We are evaluated on our personality as well as our skills. If you can't give a tight and concise answer in an interview, the interviewer will wonder if you will be able to do it in your job.

8) "I left my last job because I didn't really get along with my boss."

An interview is not the place to trade war stories. You may say that you really enjoyed working at the company and one of the things you appreciated was being able to grow your skills during your work but now you are ready to take your skills to a bigger stage. That is why you are excited to work with them.

9) "Sorry I'm late."

Punctuality is important. Your interviewer doesn't want you to arrive for work 20 minutes late every morning. If you can’t even bother to show up to the interview on time, why should your interviewer expect you to be prompt if you actually get the job.

10) "Bloody hell."

Never swear in your interview. It can happen, especially if your interviewer is themselves prolific with the profanities, but don't let them set the standard of the interview and remain professional at all times.

11) “Well I browsed the website a little”

Do your homework. Dig into the company’s history and find out who makes up the executive suite. Google the company name for recent news so you are not blindsided by any recent headlines you should be aware of at the interview. But whatever you do, don’t let them see you are the kind of person who only gives the minimum effort.

. 12) "I'm the best qualified person for the job."

Really great candidates realize that they have no idea what the rest of the candidate pool looks like. More importantly, statements like this reek of ego. Hiring managers don't want to feel like you're doing a hard sell. From the interviewer's side, the hiring process is about an honest assessment of whether you're a good match because they don't want to have to fire you later. Hyperbole just gets in the way. Instead, show the interviewer what makes you the best candidate and don't announce it and expect to be believed. If you're the best, your accomplishments are what will make that clear.

13) I don't know.

If you really do not know the answer to an interview question about you or your background, try to say "I will find out and get back to you by the end of the day." but if the question is about what you had do in a hypothetical workplace situation or brainteaser question such as "How many golf balls would it take to fill this room?", your response should show your thought process. Go ahead and think aloud.

14) . “I thought you already had a copy”

Make sure you take your resume and any other information you have been given regarding the interview with you. Do not just assume that your interviewer will have a copy and show your initiative and organisation skills by being prepared. You might also want to revise what you have put on your resume and cover letter before an interview just in case you get quizzed about what is on it.

15) “I’ll just take this call”

Many people think that taking a call or replying to texts during an interview situation are appropriate. The employer wants to know you are going to be dedicated to your new role

and not dedicated to your social media. Turning your phone off once you get to the interview will abolish all temptation to check your texts or Twitter updates.

16) "In five years, I see myself on a boat in the Caribbean."

When interviewers ask you about long-term goals, they want an answer that relates to the company. Telling them where you really want to be living on is not going to convince them that you are an ambitious professional in your chosen field.

Even if you do not plan to stick around long, you should say something that reflects a commitment to the position and the company. You might still be at the same company in five years.

Aside from getting prepared in terms of good resume, in-depth research about the company, gaining confidence on how to answer effectively in interview questions, preparing yourself mentally, physically, and psychologically are also important. There are more things that a job hunter should be aware of. Sometimes the stuff that we neglect or we often overlook are those small and simple things but very essential to ace our job interview.