What NOT To Say During A Job Interview: Eight No-No's.    In my many years as an interview coach, I have heard many bad answers in my offices, and I can then help my clients avoid these in the real interview. Here are eight things you should NEVER say in an interview.    307 words.

What NOT To Say During A Job Interview: Eight No-No's

Bill Cole, MS, MA
Founder and CEO
William B. Cole Consultants
Silicon Valley, California

In my many years as an interview coach, I have probably heard it all. Fortunately I have heard most of these bad answers in my offices, and I can then help my clients avoid these in the real interview. My advice? Create solid answers to the questions you dread in advance. Never wing an interview, or hope that certain questions will not be asked. Here are eight things to NEVER say in an interview.

1. Don't Be Evasive: Don't answer the question you wished they asked.
   
   
2. Don't Be Self-Absorbed: Don't ask what they can do for you. You are there to serve them and show how you can contribute.
   
   
3. Don't Be Too Honest: Don't say, "I get bored easily", when asked why you have had so many jobs.
   
   
4. Don't Be Generic: Don't say, "It's really hard to choose one", when asked about your biggest strength or biggest weakness. Answer the question.
   
   
5. Don't Live For Today: Don't say, "I have no future plans. I just want this job", when asked what you see yourself doing in five years.
   
   
6. Don't Appear Apathetic: Don't say "No", when asked if you have any questions. Have some!
   
   
7. Don't Be A Hypochondriac: Don't tell them about your operations, allergies, medical conditions, or your phobias. You want them to think you are somewhat normal, don't you?
   
   
8. Don't Recite Your Life Story: Don't go on forever when they say, "Tell us a little something about yourself". Craft a story with a beginning, middle and end. Then stop.

Be a savvy interviewee. Think before you speak. Better yet, think at home as you craft answers to questions. Know your answers, then apply creative cleverness and sincerity in supplying a superb answer to every question asked. Do that, and you'll be one step closer to hearing, "You have the job!"

An indispensable tool you need to make your interview campaign a big success is The Interview Success Guide. This is a 216-page blueprint containing over 400 questions you could be asked in an interview, listed by category. There are over 1200 interview task reminders, questions and guidelines in checklist form so you leave nothing to chance. This guide gives you a step-by-step approach to mastering the interview process. Everything you need to do, from the moment you begin your job hunt to when you accept the position, is covered. We have thought of everything you could possibly need to know to conduct a comprehensive, smart job hunt campaign. Learn more about The Interview Success Guide.


To learn more about how interview coaching can help you improve your abilities in media situations, oral test and exam situations, and job interviews visit Bill Cole, MS, MA, the Mental Game Coach™, at: www.mentalgamecoach.com/Services/InterviewCoaching.html.

Copyright © 2011 Bill Cole, MS, MA. All rights reserved.

Bill Cole, MS, MA, a leading authority on peak performance, mental toughness and coaching, is founder and CEO of William B. Cole Consultants, a consulting firm that helps organizations and professionals achieve more success in business, life and sports. He is also the Founder and President of the International Mental Game Coaching Association (www.mentalgamecoaching.com), an organization dedicated to advancing the research, development, professionalism and growth of mental game coaching worldwide. He is a multiple Hall-Of-Fame honoree as an athlete, coach and school alumnus, an award-winning scholar-athlete, published book author and articles author, and has coached at the highest levels of major-league pro sports, big-time college athletics and corporate America. For a free, extensive article archive, or for questions and comments visit him at www.MentalGameCoach.com.

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