Major “Red Flags” to Avoid Saying in An Interview, Says Ex-Google Recruiter

Interviews are pivotal in the hiring process. While deciphering the hiring manager's expectations might be challenging, advanced and thorough preparation can enhance your confidence and composure throughout the process.

You can express genuine excitement about the role that demonstrates your passion and interest, ask how you can contribute to the company's success, and show confidence and attentiveness by nodding and smiling to impress a potential employer during a job interview. 

However, it would help if you also avoided certain behaviors during the interview, like using phrases that could offend your interviewer. Nolan Church, a former Google recruiter and CEO of FairComp, warns against these major red flags that you have to avoid saying in an interview: 

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Avoid Sounding too Confident

During interviews, avoid saying phrases like "I work too hard" or "I'm a perfectionist" when asked about areas for improvement, advises Church. These statements, though intended as compliments, may be perceived as character flaws.

When you do, it is seen as dishonest and fake, and recruiters might think you are inauthentic or you believe you cannot improve. Remember, recruiters do not hire job seekers to be perfect, says Church. They are hiring to let them grow with them. Instead of using these empty phrases, Church suggests sharing a mistake you made, what you learned, and how you improved moving forward.

Avoid Speaking Negatively About Other People

Avoid speaking negatively about past coworkers, managers, or companies, as blaming others reflects poorly on you, warns Church. He emphasizes that desirable colleagues take full ownership of their past actions, even if mistakes were made. Taking responsibility demonstrates humility and a commitment to learning and improvement. According​​ to him, people want to work with individuals who possess self-awareness to recognize their mistakes and update their mental models accordingly.

Avoid Being Clueless

Lastly, avoid responding with "I don't know" questions.

When Church hears that, he interprets it as the conversation's over and the job applicant is not willing to solve these problems. Particularly for young professionals starting their careers, it is common to lack extensive experience or stories to illustrate your accomplishments, where in such cases, admitting "I don't know, but here's how I'd approach it" is acceptable, suggests Church. Provide hypothetical examples of how you would address the issue to demonstrate your proactive attitude toward problem-solving. Ultimately, you will be hired and paid to solve such problems. 

Here are also the top 10 reasons employers may want to hire you:

1. Relevant skills and qualifications: Your expertise and abilities must match the job requirements.
2. Relevant Experience: Previous experience in similar roles or industries can demonstrate suitability.
3. Cultural fit: Your personality and work style align well with the company culture.
4. Passion and enthusiasm: Your genuine interest in the job and company can be contagious.
5. Adaptability: Your ability to quickly learn and adapt to new situations or challenges is valued.
6. Problem-solving skills: Employers appreciate candidates who can identify and solve problems effectively.
7. Team player: Your ability to collaborate and work well with others is essential in many workplaces.
8. Strong work ethic: Employers seek individuals who are reliable, punctual, and dedicated to their work.
9. Leadership potential: Even for non-managerial roles, demonstrating leadership qualities can be attractive.
10. Positive attitude: Employers value candidates who bring a positive attitude and energy to the workplace.