Job interviews can be a nerve-wracking experience. As a result, while you’re attempting to put your best foot forward, you could wind up putting your foot in your mouth.

So what are some of the worst things you can say during a job interview? Here are 4 of them:

“I was fired from my last job.”

Even if you were technically “fired,” don’t use that word. When an interviewer hears it, all sorts of red flags and warning bells start going off in their heads. As a result, you could take yourself out of the running for the job. Even as you go on to talk about all your strengths, the interviewer will continue to wonder why exactly you were fired from your last position.

So rather than saying you were fired, say something like:

“The company culture wasn’t a good fit for me and so we went our separate ways. But, as a result, I’ve learned a lot about the kind of environment I work best in.”

“My last boss was really incompetent.”

Whatever you do during a job interview, don’t trash your past employer – even when the interviewer asks you to talk about past challenges you’ve faced. More than likely, they are looking for information about how you dealt with challenges and what the outcomes were. So don’t tell the employer about any problems you had where you can’t talk about the positive results you were eventually able to achieve.

“How much does the job pay?”

Let’s face it. If you don’t know what kind of salary the prospective employer has in mind, you’re probably pretty curious. But don’t ever be the one to bring up the issue of compensation until you’re certain the employer is going to make you an offer. And even then, let the employer start the conversation, not you. Starting to talk about money too early makes it sound like that’s all you care about. Plus, it puts you in a weaker position once negotiations do begin.

“I don’t have any questions for you.”

When the interviewer asks you if you have any questions, have some ready to go. Otherwise, they’ll think that you’re either a) not all that interested in their company, or their position; or b) unprepared and unengaged.

Some good questions to ask include:

  • Why is the position open?
  • What is an average day like for someone in this position?
  • What kinds of qualities do people who are successful at the company share?
  • Does the company offer any opportunities for advancement?
  • What is the performance review process like?
  • What kinds of challenges are you facing right now in your industry?
  • What’s the company’s vision for the future?

If you’d like some additional interviewing tips, or you help finding a new job, please contact Pacific Staffing, a leading Woodland employment firm.