A job interview is a formal conversation between two or more persons, often of different professional backgrounds, who are involved in evaluating each other’s suitability for a particular employment opportunity.
Like any other conversation, there are certain topics that you might want to avoid and other topics that you might want to discuss with the person you’re interviewing with. When it comes to job interviews, there are a few topics that you should try to steer clear of, and there are other topics that you should definitely want to discuss.
Here are some of the things you should definitely want to avoid discussing during a job interview:
Your Current State Of Mind
This one is pretty self-explanatory. You don’t want to bring your state of mind into the interview; you want to keep it focused on the purpose of the interview, which is to find out more about the company and the position, and not about your personal life. You can, however, briefly describe recent significant life changes or events that have shaped who you are today.
What Your Previous Employers Thought Of You
This one is pretty self-explanatory as well. You don’t want to discuss your previous employers with the person you’re interviewing with; it could be perceived as a negative reflection on you. What’s more, your previous employers have no control over whether or not you’re going to be employed by them, so this is a topic that you shouldn’t bring up.
Your Aptitude For And Interest In The Position
You want to make sure that you’re applying for the position because you think that you’re a good fit for it. Your previous employers don’t necessarily have to like you, but they should at least think that you’re a good fit for the position. To that end, you should discuss your interest in the position, but you should try to downplay your previous experience in the field. For example, instead of saying that you’re an administrative assistant with three years of experience, you can say that you’re interested in a career in business administration and that you have experience in similar positions.
Your Thoughts On Salary
This is a touchy subject. You don’t want to be rude or insulting, but you also don’t want to be too agreeable. You want to make sure that you’re not being taken advantage of, but at the same time, you don’t want to lose out on the opportunity because you were too polite. What’s more, you want to make sure that you’re not coming off as some sort of mercenary; you want to seem like a genuine applicant, not like you’re just trying to get a higher salary than what you’d get at a lower-paying job.
Your Overall Approach To The Position
This one is pretty self-explanatory as well. You don’t want to come off as though you’re just going through the motions; you want to appear as though you’re interested in the role, and that you’ll do your best to make the position work for you.
Your Thoughts On A Significant Offer
This one is pretty self-explanatory as well. You don’t want to appear as though you’re only concerned about money; you want to show that you’re considering the position, even if you’re not yet sure that it’s for you.
Your Background
Your background is something that you should definitely discuss with the person you’re interviewing with. You want to make sure that they know everything about you before making a decision. However, you don’t want to go into too much detail about your background; you want to give them a general idea of what you’ve done in the past, without giving away too many details about it. For example, you could say that you have a background in business, but not that you’ve ever run your own business or that you’re an expert in business administration.
Your Personality
Your personality is something that you should definitely discuss with the person you’re interviewing with. You want to make sure that they get a good impression of you, so you should try to be your absolute best self. What’s more, you want to make sure that they see you as a confident, humble, and nice person.
Your Achievements
You want to make sure that they know everything about you, so you don’t want to leave any stone unturned when it comes to your achievements. Start off by telling them about your grades in school and how you managed to get into the university that you attended. You can also talk about any specific skills or training that you had, either through previous work experience or through self-learning through books or online courses. Finally, you can mention any awards or recognitions that you received for your work; it shows that you’re humble but also that you’re accomplished enough to be recognized for your work.
Your Goals
Your goals are something that you should definitely discuss with the person you’re interviewing with. You want to make sure that they understand what you’re aiming for and what you want from the position. In terms of your long-term career goals, you could mention any special projects or goals that you have in mind. For example, if you’re looking for a new challenge in your career, you could mention that you have a goal of becoming a senior administrator in a large corporation.
Your Perspective On The Industry
This one is pretty self-explanatory as well. You don’t want to bring your personal opinion onto the subject; you want to make sure that they understand exactly what you perceive the industry to be like. To give an example, if you’re applying for a position in the financial sector, you could say that you have experience working in financial institutions and that you understand the complexities of the industry. You can also briefly discuss any trends that you’ve noticed in the industry, whether positive or negative. For instance, if you’re applying for a position in the technology sector, you could mention that you’ve noticed a boom in online marketplaces that have made trading simpler for consumers.
Your Networking Skills
Your networking skills are something that you should definitely discuss with the person you’re interviewing with. You want to make sure that they understand your capabilities in this area. To give an example, if you’re applying for a position in the business world, you could mention that you’ve never really enjoyed social events or networking, but that you’re confident that you could learn to appreciate it. What’s more, you can also talk about any special skills or attributes that you have that would make you a valuable addition to their team. For example, if you’re applying for a position in the legal world, you could mention that you’re an expert in trial and civil law and that you’ve successfully represented large companies in complex litigation.
Your Achievements
Your achievements are something that you should definitely discuss with the person you’re interviewing with. You want to make sure that they know everything about you and your work. Start off by telling them about your grades in school and how you managed to get into the university that you attended. You can also talk about any specific skills or training that you had, either through previous work experience or through self-learning through books or online courses. Finally, you can mention any awards or recognitions that you received for your work; it shows that you’re humble but also that you’re accomplished enough to be recognized for your work.
Your Overall Approach To The Position
Your overall approach to the position is something that you should definitely discuss with the person you’re interviewing with. You want to make sure that they understand your mindset when it comes to this particular role. For example, if you’re applying for a position in the legal world, you could mention that you are a career prosecutor and that you see the job as a calling to serve justice. You can also talk about any specific approach that you have to the role, whether it’s thorough or efficient, or if you prefer a more hands-on approach.
Your Perspective On The Industry
This one is pretty self-explanatory as well. You don’t want to bring your personal opinion onto the subject; you want to make sure that they understand exactly what you perceive the industry to be like. To give an example, if you’re applying for a position in the business world, you could mention that you have a background in corporate finance and that you understand the complexities of the industry. You can also briefly discuss any trends that you’ve noticed in the industry, whether positive or negative. For instance, if you’re applying for a position in the tech sector, you could mention that you’ve noticed a boom in online marketplaces that have made trading simpler for consumers.