Topics to Avoid During an Interview

Interviews can be a very daunting process for many people, so it is important to make sure your nerves do not get the better of you. There are several topics you should steer clear of and while some may seem obvious, it can be easy to drop them in without even thinking of the consequences. In this article, we will be highlighting the main topics you should avoid speaking about all together to ensure you have a reasonable chance of being taken seriously as a potential candidate.

1. Bad experiences with previous employers or role

During the interview process, you want to remain as positive about your experiences and expertise as possible. It can be very off-putting to the interviewer if you start negatively explaining previous roles or other colleagues and in turn will make you look highly unprofessional. Even if you are asked questions such as ‘’why are you looking for a new job?’’, ‘’What aspects did not you enjoy about your previous role?’’ Try answering them with a rational answer that has a positive twist to it. For example, ‘’Since working at my current role for over 5 years now and working my way up to a … within the company, I am ready for some new challenges which I believe I can experience working at a bigger company like (the company you’re interviewing at)”.

2. Salary

If the company you are applying for has not previously enclosed the salary expectations on the job description or in emails, you should avoid asking this question in your interview until near the end. If it’s your opening question, it could send a message to them that money is the only important thing for you, and you are not so much interested in finding out more about your role. However, it may be important for your progression with the interview stage to find out salary. You could ask for a ballpark figure during your interview to gauge this before asking for more detail if you progress to the next stage of the interview process.

3. Disclosing personal information

It may seem tempting to delve into more detail to give the interviewer an idea of your background but they may be irrelevant to the roles and responsibilities of the job role you are applying for. Share your personality with the interviewer by being friendly, professional and highlight relevant skills for the position through your experience rather than over-sharing personal details.

4. Asking about company benefits

This question is similar to expected salary, it gives the impression of ‘’what’s in it for me?’’ Typically companies will disclose the company benefits on offer but if you want to find out more you could ask about the company culture and office environment, you may get some information regarding treats for the team such as company meals out. If in doubt, it is best to wait until you have been hired by the company to find out more about company benefits which will be discussed in the office or displayed in the company handbook. Preparing for your interview in advance will help you to avoid feeling the need to ask these types of questions. Try to stick to asking professional questions about the job role or culture to show your enthusiasm to work for the company.