Name two terms/phrases a candidate should avoid during an interview.
Answers
Answer:
1. “Obsessed.” Yes, obsessed can connote an intense, passionate emotion, but when you say it in a prospective job situation, hiring managers might immediately think about "Fatal Attraction." Considering the word technically means to talk or think about something too much, there’s another angle to it, too. Most hiring managers want to feel like they can hang out with the candidate in a job situation, that you fit well with the team and have something to shoot the breeze about aside from work. If you only live, breathe, eat and sleep work, you're not a very well-rounded individual.
Words to use instead: You can get the message across by saying you’re passionate, captivated by, immersed in or hooked by the industry.
2. “And whatnot.” Here’s the thing about fillers like “whatnot” and “you know” – they’re just that. They don’t explain anything further and don’t demonstrate anything of substance. They merely add empty words. Hiring managers want to see that you're articulate in a meaningful way, which sometimes means less is more. Think of some sentences as a tweet. Do you need to articulate what you’re saying in more than 140 characters aloud? Instead of saying, “I was responsible for leading a team of 10 people during year-end accruals and whatnot.” Simply delete the last two words and you’ll sound a lot more intelligent.
Words to use instead: Nothing. Silence is your friend. Try to visualize the sentence and simply cut out unnecessary words; this is particularly simple to do at the end of a sentence. Don’t stop there – try eliminating fillers when you’re immersed in casual conversations with family and friends. Ask yourself if those words help illustrate your point. Get into the habit of doing this casually and it will feel normal to no longer rely on fillers in interviews .