Interviews: What NOT to say

It's all very well to know what to say at an interview, but it's just as important to know what not to say! After all you don't want all that good work, all these great answers, all these stories you so carefully remembered and analyzed for relevant skills, wasted.

Some of the following will be obvious, some less so, but all are worth being aware of, so you can avoid mentioning them during your job interview.

• Do not say anything negative about any company or person.

This can be something of a challenge if the situation was bad at your last place of work, or if you believe you were mistreated, unfairly let go etc. However, by phrasing it positively you show that you are ready to move on and are not one to carry grudges.

• Do not offer information on skills or experience you don't have unless directly asked.

For example if you are asked about your computer skills, you might say "I have a great deal of experience with MS Word, Internet research and e-mail."
What you would not add is "but I have never used Excel."

If the employer wants to know if you have used Excel, let him/ her ask!

• Don't just say "No, I don't" to skills you don't have, if you have other skills that are transferrable and can be used in the situation.

For example, I once applied for a part time job in a weight loss clinic, which advertised they would train you on their program. I had no previous experience of such places, and had never even really been on a diet. So why would the manager hire me?

Because I pointed out to her that my experience in Career Counseling was similar. People came to me with a problem, I had the knowledge to help them, I gave them support and encouragement and listened to them when they were having a hard time.

Isn't that what a weight loss counselor does too? The manager thought so - she hired me.

So think about where else you might have gained experience and skills that translate to the new position before you say "no."

A note: most job seekers have heard of the idea of transferrable skills, and may even do a great job of listing them on their resume, but in many years experience practicing interview skills with job seekers, it's amazing how few people think of them as needed when in an interview.

• Do not get into a long tail of how your family (especially if you have young children) will not interfere with your work.

Just say something like "I have my family well taken care of so I can focus on work. It is not a concern."

• Do not get into too much detail.

Answer questions clearly and concisely. If in doubt, once you've finished you can ask "Does that answer your question?"

• Do not get into your personal life.

When asked "tell me about yourself" your answer should consist of what you have done, either paid or unpaid, that qualifies you for this job.

It may include some personal information that related directly to why you are job seeking at this time, such as that your spouse was transferred to this city, so you had to leave you last job to accompany him/her.

And lastly, if you find yourself going totally blank, or just not focusing because of nerves, do not be afraid to say to your interviewer "I'm sorry, I just get so nervous at interviews." But just say it once - not every time you mess up!

I had a client, one time, who got so nervous at interviews, she really did not do a good job of presenting herself at all. So we practices an answer to the question "what is your greatest weakness." When asked this, she smiled and said "Interviews. I can do the job extremely well, but I am awful at interviews!" She got the job, and did do her job extremely well and to the satisfaction of the employer who took her at her word in the interview.

So put your best foot forward, tell them all the great things you can do for them, and don't tell them what you can't do. That's the interviewers job to work that out!