Four Interview Cliches & How to Avoid Them

As recruiters interview numerous candidates for a job, sometimes they hear redundancy as well as faux pas. Well, your friends here at MJD are nudging you to please don't become that guy or gal. According to a piece on Fortune, there are several ways to show a possible employer you an contribute to their organization. In doing so, please promise you'll tweak the following statements. "I am interested in everything this company does." Really? Everything? The piece points out that hiring managers are looking for someone who is passionate for a specific role. Saying you're interested in everything may come across as -- gasp -- desperate. Instead, you can allude to specific jobs that fit your background by explaining your relevant experience. Hone in on the skills you bring to the table. "I'm a workaholic. I'll do whatever you want from me." Yes, a recruiter wants to hear that you're a hard worker and willing to get the job done no matter what but this statement may imply you don't know how to prioritize or multi-task. In the piece, Janette Marx, senior vice president at Adecco explained, "Do they need to work 80 hours a week to hit their numbers, or are they working 80 hours a week because of their inability to be effective during the normal...workday?" She added, "Working all the time can be good, but more and more companies want well-rounded individuals that are part of the team." "My boss and I didn't see eye to eye." Please promise us you'll remove this statement from your interview toolbox, okay? This implies you weren't able to address a conflict. Even if you had a bad boss who wasn't empathetic to a heavy workload or personal situation, there's another way to say the same message. One option is to say, "My boss removed my telecommuting situation and I had to drive two hours each way; it was unbearable in addition to working 10-hour workdays." "I'm a team player." Sure, anyone can say they're a team player but this is becoming so common, recruiters may not really see how you're able to distinguish yourself from the pack. Plus, it's a double-edged sword. Yes, many employers value being team-driven but they usually simultaneously value independent thinking. The solution? Demonstrate you can do both. During an interview illustrate two situations -- one that highlights collaboration and another one that showcases your leadership ability.

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Four Interview Cliches & How to Avoid Them

Vicki Salemi

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Vicki Salemi