You’re 15 minutes into the interview and it’s going well. Then you say something—just one sentence—and you watch the interviewer’s expression change. They’re still smiling, still nodding, but you know. You just tanked your chances.
The worst part? You have no idea what you said wrong.
Here’s the reality about things you should never say in a job interview: most of them don’t sound that bad when they come out of your mouth. “I’m a perfectionist” sounds like a humble brag. “My last boss and I didn’t see eye to eye” sounds diplomatic. “I just need something stable right now” sounds honest.
But to an interviewer, these phrases are red flags. They signal problems the company doesn’t want to inherit.
This guide covers the actual things you should never say in a job interview, why they’re problematic, and—most importantly—what to say instead.
Why Certain Phrases Kill Your Interview Chances
Before we get to the list, understand what’s happening when you say the wrong thing.
Interviewers are looking for reasons to eliminate candidates. They have 50 resumes for one position. Your words are either moving you toward “yes” or toward “no.” There’s very little neutral ground.
When you say something that raises a red flag, the interviewer:
- Starts questioning everything else you’ve said
- Imagines the problems you’ll cause if hired
- Looks for confirmation that their concern is valid
- Begins mentally moving to the next candidate
The damage is hard to undo. You can’t un-ring that bell. Which is why knowing what not to say is just as important as knowing what to say.
Category 1: Things That Signal You Don’t Really Want This Job
These are the things you should never say in a job interview if you want them to believe you’re actually interested in the role.
“I just need a job right now”
Why it’s bad: Signals you’ll leave the moment something better comes along. Companies want people who want this job, not any job.
What it tells them: You’re desperate, you won’t be engaged, and they’ll be hiring your replacement in six months.
Say this instead: “I’m specifically looking for a role where I can [relevant skill/contribution], and this position aligns perfectly with my experience in [specific area].”
“I’ll take anything at this point”
Why it’s bad: See above, but worse. You just told them you have no standards and no direction.
What it tells them: You didn’t prepare, you don’t care about their company specifically, and you’re probably interviewing everywhere.
Say this instead: “I’m being selective about my next role because I want to find the right fit. What drew me to this position specifically was [mention something about the role or company].”
“I’m just looking for something temporary until I figure out what I really want to do”
Why it’s bad: You literally just told them you’re going to leave. Hiring is expensive. They’re not going to invest in someone who’s already planning their exit.
What it tells them: Training you is a waste of resources.
Say this instead: Don’t say anything remotely like this. Ever. If you genuinely see this as temporary, keep that information to yourself and focus on what you can contribute while you’re there.
“How much vacation time do I get?” (Asked too early)
Why it’s bad: Asking about time off before you’ve even demonstrated your value signals that you’re already thinking about not working.
What it tells them: You’re more interested in benefits than contribution.
Say this instead: Save all benefit questions for after you have an offer, or at minimum, after they’ve expressed clear interest. If they bring up benefits, you can ask: “Could you walk me through the full benefits package?” But don’t lead with vacation time.
“I don’t want to work overtime” or “I need to leave exactly at 5pm every day”
Why it’s bad: Even if this is true and reasonable, saying it in an interview makes you sound inflexible and unwilling to go above-and-beyond when needed.
What it tells them: You’ll be a 9-to-5 person who won’t help during crunch time.
Say this instead: If work-life balance is important to you, ask about it from a curiosity angle: “How does the team typically handle work-life balance?” or “What does a typical work week look like?” Let them describe the culture rather than stating your requirements.
Category 2: Things That Make You Sound Unprofessional
These are things you should never say in a job interview because they make you seem difficult, negative, or immature.
“My last boss was terrible” or “My previous employer was the worst”
Why it’s bad: This is the number one thing people say that kills interviews. Badmouthing previous employers makes you look unprofessional, regardless of how terrible they actually were.
What it tells them: You’ll badmouth us too when you leave. You don’t take accountability. You can’t handle conflict professionally.
Say this instead: “I’m looking for an environment where [positive thing you want]. My previous role didn’t offer as much [growth/autonomy/collaboration/whatever], so I’m excited to find a team where I can [contribute in this way].”
The formula: Focus on what you’re moving toward, not what you’re running from.
“I didn’t get along with my coworkers”
Why it’s bad: Even if your coworkers were genuinely difficult, saying this makes you sound like the problem. Hiring managers assume you’re the common denominator.
What it tells them: You’ll have personality conflicts here too.
Say this instead: “I work best in collaborative environments where [describe the team dynamic you prefer]. I’m looking for a team that values [whatever culture fit matters to you].”
“I hate [working with customers/following processes/being micromanaged/whatever]”
Why it’s bad: Leading with what you hate is always negative. Plus, you might be describing something core to this job.
What it tells them: You’ll be miserable here if that’s part of the role.
Say this instead: “I thrive in environments where I have [autonomy/clear processes/direct client interaction/whatever the opposite is]. Can you tell me how this role approaches [the thing you’re concerned about]?”
“Do you drug test?” (Unless legally required for your medication)
Why it’s bad: This question immediately makes them suspicious about why you’re asking.
What it tells them: You might not pass a drug test.
Say this instead: Don’t ask unless you have a legitimate medical reason. If you do, and you’re concerned about a false positive: “I take [prescription medication] for [medical condition]. Is there anything I should know about your drug testing policy regarding prescribed medications?”
Category 3: Things That Show You Didn’t Prepare
These things you should never say in a job interview because they prove you didn’t do basic research or preparation.
“What does your company do?”
Why it’s bad: This is inexcusable. This information is on their website, their LinkedIn, everywhere. Asking this shows you couldn’t be bothered to spend five minutes on Google.
What it tells them: If you didn’t prepare for the interview, you won’t prepare for anything else.
Say this instead: Never ask this. If you somehow ended up in an interview without knowing what the company does, ask specific questions that demonstrate you DID research: “I saw on your website that you recently expanded into [market]. How does this role support that initiative?”
“Can you remind me what this position is for?”
Why it’s bad: You’re interviewing for a job you can’t even remember. How interested can you possibly be?
What it tells them: You’re interviewing at so many places you can’t keep them straight.
Say this instead: Never ask this. If you’re genuinely confused about which role this is for (they have multiple open positions), ask: “I know you have several positions open—I’m here for the [Title] role on the [Department] team, correct?”
“I didn’t have time to prepare”
Why it’s bad: You just told them you couldn’t prioritize the interview, which is literally your only job right now if you want this position.
What it tells them: You make excuses and don’t manage your time well.
Say this instead: Never admit this. If you actually didn’t prepare and get asked something you don’t know, say: “That’s a great question. I don’t have specific data on that right now, but here’s my general understanding…” or “I’d want to research that more thoroughly before giving you a complete answer.”
“I’m hoping this doesn’t take too long”
Why it’s bad: You just told them their time isn’t valuable and this interview is an inconvenience to you.
What it tells them: You don’t respect their process or their time.
Say this instead: Never say this. If you have a hard stop (like another commitment), mention it professionally at the start: “I’m excited to discuss this role with you. Just so you know, I do have a commitment at [time], but I’m fully focused until then.”
Category 4: Things That Reveal Your Weaknesses Too Early
There’s a time and place for honest conversations about challenges. The first interview isn’t it.
“I’m really nervous”
Why it’s bad: While it might seem endearing to be honest, saying you’re nervous draws attention to your nerves and makes the interviewer focus on them.
What it tells them: You might not handle pressure well in the actual job.
Say this instead: Don’t mention your nerves. If you need to acknowledge them to yourself, take a breath and say: “Thank you for meeting with me today. I’m really excited to discuss this opportunity.”
Pro tip: Reframe “nervous” as “excited.” They feel similar physiologically. Your brain believes what you tell it.
“I have a hard time with [deadlines/criticism/public speaking/whatever]”
Why it’s bad: You’re volunteering a weakness before they’ve even asked. And you’re framing it as an ongoing struggle, not something you’ve overcome.
What it tells them: This person will struggle with a core part of the job.
Say this instead: If asked about weaknesses (and they might ask), frame it as growth: “Earlier in my career, I struggled with [thing], but I’ve developed strategies to address it. Now I [describe your system/improvement]. For example, [give a specific example of success].”
“I’ve never done this before, but I’m sure I’ll figure it out”
Why it’s bad: The confidence is good, but leading with inexperience is bad. You’re asking them to take a chance on you without giving them a reason to believe you’ll succeed.
What it tells them: You’re unqualified and overconfident.
Say this instead: “While I haven’t done [exact thing] in a formal role, I have experience with [related skill], and I’m confident I can transfer that knowledge. For example, [give an example that shows relevant capability].”
“I don’t think I’m the right fit, but…”
Why it’s bad: Why are you here if you don’t think you’re the right fit? And if you don’t believe in yourself, why should they?
What it tells them: You lack confidence and self-awareness.
Say this instead: Never say this. If you genuinely don’t think you’re the right fit, don’t take the interview. If you’re just being self-deprecating, stop it. State your qualifications confidently.
Category 5: Things That Signal You’ll Be Difficult to Manage
Managers don’t want to hire problems. These phrases tell them you’ll be one.
“I don’t like being managed” or “I prefer to work without supervision”
Why it’s bad: Everyone has a manager. Saying you don’t like being managed tells them you’ll resist feedback, ignore direction, and be difficult to work with.
What it tells them: You won’t take direction and you’ll be insubordinate.
Say this instead: “I work well independently and take initiative, but I also value regular check-ins and feedback to ensure I’m aligned with team goals. How does this team typically approach communication and check-ins?”
“I don’t like following rules” or “I’m not good with structure”
Why it’s bad: Every job has rules and structure. You just told them you won’t follow policies, procedures, or norms.
What it tells them: You’ll be a liability and a problem.
Say this instead: “I thrive in environments that balance structure with flexibility. I appreciate clear expectations and guidelines, but I also enjoy opportunities to problem-solve creatively. How does your team balance those?”
“I’m not a big fan of training” or “I’m too busy to do training”
Why it’s bad: Most jobs require some onboarding and training. Saying you don’t like it makes you seem resistant to learning and improvement.
What it tells them: You’ll resist professional development and be stuck in your ways.
Say this instead: “I learn quickly and appreciate thorough onboarding. What does the training and ramp-up process look like for this role?”
What to Say Instead: The Framework
Now that you know all the things you should never say in a job interview, here’s the framework for what you SHOULD say:
The Formula for Answering Any Question
- Acknowledge the question (shows you’re listening)
- Give a specific example (proves your capability)
- Connect it to their needs (shows you understand the role)
- Express enthusiasm (shows you want the job)
Example:
- Question: “Tell me about a time you dealt with a difficult coworker”
- Bad answer: “My coworker was lazy and I couldn’t stand them”
- Good answer: “In my last role, I worked with someone who had a very different communication style than mine. I realized we were both trying to achieve the same goals but approaching them differently. I scheduled a one-on-one to understand their perspective, and we established a communication protocol that worked for both of us. The result was a 20% increase in our project completion rate. I’d bring that same collaborative problem-solving approach to this team.”
Questions You SHOULD Ask
The end of the interview is your chance to show genuine interest. Always have questions prepared. These work well:
About the role:
- “What does success look like in this position after 90 days? After a year?”
- “What are the biggest challenges facing the team right now?”
- “How does this role contribute to the company’s larger goals?”
About growth:
- “What opportunities exist for professional development?”
- “What does career progression typically look like for this position?”
About culture:
- “How would you describe the team culture?”
- “What do you enjoy most about working here?”
About next steps:
- “What are the next steps in your interview process?”
- “When should I expect to hear back from you?”
The Pre-Interview Preparation Checklist
Avoiding the things you should never say in a job interview starts with preparation. Here’s what to do before every interview:
Research Phase (30-60 minutes)
Company research:
- Read their website’s About page, mission, and values
- Look up recent news articles about the company
- Check their LinkedIn for recent updates
- Understand their products/services/clients
- Identify their competitors
Role research:
- Read the job description three times
- Identify the top 3-5 required skills
- Prepare examples that demonstrate each skill
- Understand how this role fits in the organization
Interviewer research:
- Look up your interviewer on LinkedIn
- Note their background and tenure at the company
- Find common ground (alumni, interests, previous companies)
Story Preparation (60-90 minutes)
Prepare 5-7 stories using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result):
- Leadership/initiative example
- Problem-solving example
- Teamwork/collaboration example
- Handling conflict example
- Overcoming a challenge example
- Achievement you’re proud of
- Time you failed and what you learned
For each story, write out:
- Situation: What was the context?
- Task: What did you need to accomplish?
- Action: What specific steps did you take?
- Result: What was the measurable outcome?
Day-Of Preparation (30 minutes)
One hour before:
- Review your research notes
- Read the job description one more time
- Review your prepared stories
- Test your tech if virtual (camera, audio, lighting)
- Have a glass of water nearby
- Eliminate distractions (close tabs, silence phone)
10 minutes before:
- Take three deep breaths
- Do a power pose for 2 minutes (it actually works)
- Remind yourself of one thing you’re genuinely excited about
When You Accidentally Say Something Wrong
It happens. You say one of the things you should never say in a job interview. Here’s how to recover:
Acknowledge it briefly: “Actually, let me rephrase that…”
Reframe immediately: “What I meant to say is…”
Move forward confidently: Don’t dwell on it or apologize excessively. Make your correction and continue.
Example:
- You say: “My last boss was really difficult”
- You catch yourself: “Actually, let me rephrase that. My last role didn’t offer as much opportunity for independent decision-making as I was looking for, which is what drew me to this position.”
Most interviewers will appreciate the self-awareness and give you credit for the recovery.
The Real Secret to Interview Success
Here’s what most guides won’t tell you: knowing things you should never say in a job interview isn’t about memorizing a list of forbidden phrases. It’s about understanding the psychology of what interviewers are listening for.
They’re listening for:
- Genuine interest in THIS role at THIS company
- Ability to add value and solve problems
- Professionalism and emotional maturity
- Coachability and willingness to learn
- Cultural fit with the team and company
- Evidence you can do the job successfully
Every word you say should signal one of these things.
When you’re tempted to say something negative, complain about a previous job, or admit a weakness you haven’t overcome, pause and ask yourself: “Does this signal what they’re listening for?”
If not, rephrase.
The Bottom Line
The things you should never say in a job interview all share something in common: they make the interviewer imagine problems before you’ve demonstrated value.
Your job in an interview isn’t to be perfect. It’s to be the person who makes their job easier, solves their problems, and fits seamlessly into their team.
Everything you say should reinforce that narrative. Everything you avoid saying prevents you from undermining it.
Prepare your stories. Research the company. Practice your answers to common questions. And when in doubt, focus on what you’re moving toward (growth, contribution, impact) rather than what you’re running from (bad bosses, difficult coworkers, jobs you hated).
Do that, and you won’t just avoid the red flags. You’ll stand out as the candidate they want to hire.
Now go prepare. You’ve got an interview to ace.
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