20 Things You Should Never Say or Do in a Job Interview

By GROUP CPO

Interviews aren’t just about what you say , they’re also about what you signal. Hiring managers listen for judgment, self-awareness, and professionalism as much as skills and experience. Even strong candidates can derail themselves by oversharing, underselling, or saying the wrong thing at the wrong time.

Here are some of the mistakes we have seen along the way, that should be avoided in an interview, if you want to position yourself as a confident, credible hire:

1. Personal health issues

Unless a health matter directly impacts your ability to perform the role (and even then, handle carefully), it doesn’t belong in an interview.

2. Why you hate your current boss

Criticising a manager signals poor judgment, low emotional intelligence, and potential conflict risk, regardless of how justified it may be.

3. Salary desperation

Never say you need the money or need the job. Desperation weakens your negotiating position and raises red flags.

4. Family planning details

Pregnancy plans, childcare challenges, or future family intentions should not be discussed, and legally, this can’t be asked.

5. Age-related comments

Statements like “I know I’m older but…” or “I’m still young” only draw attention to potential bias or concerns.

6. Negative company reviews

Even if your last employer was toxic, negative comments about them makes you look unprofessional.

7. Personal financial problems

Debt, bills, or financial stress are not relevant to your suitability for the role.

8. Highlighting lack of experience

Don’t focus on what you can’t do. Frame your experience around transferable skills and learning agility.

9. Broadcasting interview anxiety

Saying “I’m really nervous” often makes interviewers nervous about you. Confidence is contagious and so is doubt.

10. Overqualification concerns

Don’t give reasons for why you might get bored or leave. Let the employer raise the concern if they have it.

11. Complaining about workload

Saying your last job was “too busy” can suggest low resilience or poor prioritisation.

12. Saying you’ll “do anything”

This can sound unfocused or insincere. Employers want clarity, not desperation.

13. Checking your phone

Even a glance signals disinterest. Phones should be off and out of sight.

14. Talking too much

Overexplaining can dilute strong answers. Be clear, structured, and concise.

15. Blaming others for failures

Take accountability. Strong candidates own outcomes and explain what they learned.

16. Being vague about achievements

Saying “we did really well” without specifics weakens credibility. Use facts, metrics, and impact.

17. Criticising colleagues

It raises questions about how you’ll speak about this team and company in the future.

18. Admitting you didn’t prepare

Not knowing the company, role, or interviewer signals a lack of seriousness about the role.

19. Discussing future or other plans

Talking about future moves, side hustles, or “what’s next” too early suggests low commitment. The "what do you want to do in 5 years' question, needs to be handled with care.

20. Forgetting to ask questions

Not asking thoughtful questions can look like disengagement or lack of curiosity.

Final thought

An interview is a professional conversation, not a confessional. It is a two way conversation to make sure this is the right company and role for you as much as it is for the company to ensure they hire the right candidate. The goal is to demonstrate judgment, self-awareness, and value.

What you leave unsaid can be just as important as what you say.