Sidestepping the classic ‘oops’ moments of a first interview—by tapping into Derek Barry Simpson’s 20 years of executive coaching and his famous ’10 Things NOT to Say in an Interview’, is how we keep job seekers cool, collected, and memorable at Transition Solutions.
1. “It’s on my Resume.”
Oh, is it? Cheers for that. Look, they’ve read your Resume, they want to hear you talk about it. This just makes you sound like you can’t be asked. Expand on it, give them the color.
2. “I don’t have any weaknesses.”
Come off it. Everyone’s got weaknesses. This answer screams, “I have zero self-awareness,” or worse, “I think I’m too clever for this question.” Pick something genuine, in the PAST and talk about how you overcame it.
3. “I’ll do anything.”
Desperation is not a good cologne, my friend. It tells them you haven’t really thought about what you want, and frankly, it makes you look a bit… lost. Know what you’re after.
4. “My last boss was a nightmare”
Even if they were an absolute tyrant, keep it zipped. All the interviewer hears is “this person might slag me off one day too.” Take the high road, say it wasn’t the right fit, and move on.
5. “What does the company actually do?”
Mate. Mate. We talked about this. Five minutes on Google. That’s all it takes. This is an instant no from most interviewers, and rightly so.
6. “I’m a perfectionist.”
This stopped being a clever “weakness disguised as a strength” about fifteen years ago. Interviewers have heard it a million times and they’re rolling their eyes internally. Be more original.
7. “How quickly can I get promoted?”
Steady on, you haven’t got the job yet! It’s fine to ask about growth opportunities, but phrasing it like this makes you sound like you’re already planning your escape from the role they’re hiring for.
8. “I don’t have any questions.”
We covered this last time, but it bears repeating. No questions means no curiosity, no interest, no engagement. Always have questions. Always.
9. “Sorry, I need to take this.”
Unless someone’s literally dying, put your phone on silent and leave it alone. I’ve seen people check notifications mid-interview. Unbelievable. Don’t be that person.
10. “How much holiday do I get?” (as your first question)
Look, benefits matter, I get it. But if you lead with this, you’re basically saying, “I’m already thinking about not being here.” Save it for when they bring up the package, or for the offer stage.
Guiding individuals through the complexities of the modern job search—from crafting high-impact resumes and integrating AI into every stage of the process, to mastering interview preparation—is how we empower job seekers at Transition Solutions
Transition Solutions has been helping companies and individuals with workforce changes for 35 years. Our strong reputation for consistently delivering exceptional service at value sets us apart.
If you would like more information on our services, please check out our website at https://www.transitionsolutions.com, or you can contact us directly at 888-424-0003 or email us at info@transitionsolutions.com.
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