Typically, the quickest way to mess up a job interview is to get on the Hiring Managers’ nerves. Of course, no one intentionally does this – but knowing where the line is and not to cross it is crucial. This is what we’re here to help you with.

“What does your company do?”

This is an important one, make sure you are only asking questions that show you’re well informed and prepared – not questions that you should already know the answer to. Or questions that can be easily answered by a glance at their website or their annual reports.

“My salary requirements are flexible”

Your salary when starting a new role can often be an awkward subject in an interview, but it doesn’t have to be! It is important for you to be aware of what the company is willing to pay you, but also the company will want to know what you’re willing to take. So even if you’re unsure as to what specific salary you’re after – you should at least have a salary band in mind. For example, you could say “I’m looking for something between £20,000 – £25,000 per year”.

“I don’t know how to do that”

Instead of admitting you don’t know how to do a certain task, make the Hiring Manager aware that you are a fast leaner and willing to try and learn new things to support the company operations.

“I’m really nervous”

Although it’s natural to be nervous for an interview, the Hiring Manager does not need to hear it. Any professional who admits to being nervous is not a good sign. You’re effectively making an excuse in advance for a poor interview and admitting how underconfident you are.

“No, I don’t have any questions for you”

An interviewee who doesn’t have any questions for the Hiring Manager at the end of the interview can always been seen as a bad sign. It can make way for the assumption that you are not even curious about the role you are interviewing for, or the company! 

Even if you don’t have any questions about topics in the interview – prepare some questions before hand, good ones to ask are:

• “What is the career progression like here?”
• “What is the biggest challenge someone has faced in this role?”
• “What is the company culture like?”