It is not a rat race, it is a mind race. Know what not to say in an interview!

Misspeaking is likely to have grave consequences, and interviews are not a great place to cause mess-ups. It is not a one-way street! It is an opportunity for people to explore the idea of working together.

Think of the process as vetting a partnership!

It is hard to make a persuasive case for an employer to hire you. Knowing what to say and what not to say reinforces the argument favorably. Spot red flags in your conversations that can break your conversation and prospects! It is important.

How much will be my pay?

Hitting the nail on the head shows a lack of professionalism. Yes, money is important but understanding the opportunity and the value is more important first. This has to be avoided in the first meeting. Understanding the company and process first, and then getting into these nuances is a better approach.

I hate my job!

Candidates are often judged on their confidence, passion, resilience, curiosity, tone of voice, sense of humour, and last (but certainly not least), the ability to maintain an effortlessly smooth, productive, and optimistic conversation. When asked questions like, “Why are you applying for a new position?”, rather than giving a disparaging comment, emphasizing learning and skills adds more appeal to the discussion.

No, I don’t have any questions!

Such a response shows a lack of curiosity, interest, and preparedness. Homework helps offset such a situation. Learning about the company, its strategy, market share, competitors, and leadership team helps generate meaningful questions. It does not just give you extra brownie points but helps in building a smooth conversation. Interest in the organisation can be reinforced by connecting the individual’s skillsets to the value expected by the organisation .

I want this job! OR I know I am a perfect fit!

Desperate for the job? Subtlety helps! Desperation will only cause you a lost opportunity. Confidence is good, overconfidence is not endearing. Rather, sell yourself! Sell your skillsets, experiences, learnings, and qualifications! Justify how your skillset and the skillset that the interviewer is looking for are in harmony.

Have a clear sense of words and meanings!

Every interview is different because every job and every interviewer is different. Acing an interview is not a cakewalk and requires nuanced understanding. Often interviews end up being robotic and one-sided. You are not there to answer a questionnaire. Be real and find a mutual fit!