Worst Things to Say in an Interview

Stop sabotaging your career. Learn the 12 most common interview mistakes and the high-EQ phrases that actually land the offer.

Worst Things to Say in an Interview (And What to Say Instead)

Knowing the worst things to say in an interview can be the difference between landing your dream job and watching it slip away. Even highly qualified candidates sabotage themselves with a single poorly chosen phrase. The wrong words can instantly shift an interviewer’s perception from “perfect fit” to “next candidate, please.”

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or preparing for your first big interview, understanding these conversational landmines—and how to navigate around them—will dramatically improve your chances of success.

Why What You Say Matters More Than You Think

Research from the Journal of Applied Psychology shows that interviewers form strong impressions within the first few minutes of meeting a candidate. Those early impressions are heavily influenced by what comes out of your mouth.

Here’s the reality: interviewers aren’t just evaluating your skills and experience. They’re assessing your emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and cultural fit. A single careless comment can overshadow an otherwise stellar resume.

Let’s break down the worst things you can say in an interview—and what to say instead.

1. “I Hate My Current Boss” (Or Anything Negative About Past Employers)

Badmouthing a former employer is one of the worst things to say in an interview. Even if your previous boss was genuinely terrible, speaking negatively about them raises immediate red flags.

Why it’s damaging:

• Interviewers wonder if you’ll say the same about them someday
• It signals poor professionalism and emotional regulation
• It shifts the conversation from your value to someone else’s flaws

What to say instead: “I’m looking for an environment where I can grow and contribute more meaningfully. I learned a lot in my previous role, and now I’m excited to apply those lessons in a new setting.”

Pro Tip: Practice the “sandwich” reframe. If asked directly about a difficult work relationship, briefly acknowledge the challenge, highlight what you learned, and pivot to what you’re looking for going forward.

2. “I Don’t Know Anything About Your Company”

Walking into an interview without researching the company tells the interviewer one thing: you don’t care enough to prepare. In a competitive job market, this is an instant disqualifier.

Why it’s damaging:

• It shows a lack of genuine interest in the role
• It suggests you may be applying everywhere without intention
• It wastes the interviewer’s time explaining basics you should already know

What to say instead: Reference something specific. “I was really impressed by your company’s recent initiative on [specific project]. It aligns with my passion for [relevant skill or interest], and it’s one of the reasons I was excited to apply.”

Action Step: Before every interview, spend at least 30 minutes researching the company. Check their website, recent news articles, LinkedIn page, and Glassdoor reviews. Write down three specific things you can mention during the conversation.

3. “What Does This Company Actually Do?”

This is a close cousin of the previous point, but it deserves its own spotlight because it’s shockingly common. Asking what the company does signals zero preparation and can end an interview before it truly begins.

Why it’s damaging:

• It’s the most basic question you should already have answered
• It makes you appear lazy or disorganized
• It immediately lowers the interviewer’s confidence in your candidacy

What to say instead: Ask a more sophisticated question that shows you’ve done your homework: “I know your company focuses on [area of business]. I’d love to hear more about how this particular team contributes to that mission.”

4. “How Soon Can I Get Promoted?” or “When Do I Get a Raise?”

Ambition is great. But leading with questions about promotions, raises, or time off before you’ve even been offered the job makes you seem more interested in what you can get than what you can give.

Why it’s damaging:

• It suggests you’re already looking past the role you’re interviewing for
• It can come across as entitled
• It shifts the focus from your contributions to your demands

What to say instead: “I’m really motivated by growth opportunities. Can you tell me about the typical career path for someone in this role?” This shows ambition without the entitlement.

5. “I’m a Perfectionist” (And Other Fake Weaknesses)

When an interviewer asks about your weaknesses, they’re testing your self-awareness. Disguising a strength as a weakness—“I just work too hard”—is a transparent tactic that most experienced interviewers see right through.

Why it’s damaging:

• It signals a lack of genuine self-reflection
• Interviewers have heard these clichés hundreds of times
• It misses an opportunity to demonstrate real emotional intelligence

What to say instead: Share a genuine area of growth and what you’re doing about it. “I’ve noticed that I sometimes spend too much time perfecting details on individual tasks. I’ve been working on this by setting time limits for myself and focusing on the bigger picture priorities first.”

According to research on vulnerability and trust, people who share authentic weaknesses are actually perceived as more competent and trustworthy—not less.

6. “It’s on My Resume”

When an interviewer asks you to walk them through your experience, responding with “it’s on my resume” is dismissive and rude. Yes, they’ve likely read your resume. They want to hear you talk about it.

Why it’s damaging:

• It shuts down conversation instead of building rapport
• It comes across as arrogant or impatient
• It misses your chance to add context, personality, and narrative to your experience

What to say instead: Use the question as an opportunity to tell a compelling story. “Absolutely! In my most recent role at [Company], I was responsible for [key achievement]. One project I’m especially proud of is [specific example], where I [action] and achieved [result].“

7. “I Don’t Have Any Questions”

When the interviewer asks, “Do you have any questions for us?” saying no is one of the worst things to say in an interview. It signals disinterest and a lack of curiosity—two traits no employer wants.

Why it’s damaging:

• It suggests you’re not truly engaged in the opportunity
• It ends the interview on a flat note
• It removes your chance to evaluate whether the company is right for you

What to say instead: Always prepare at least three thoughtful questions. Great options include:

• “What does success look like in this role in the first 90 days?”
• “What’s your favorite part about working here?”
• “How would you describe the team culture?”

Pro Tip: Write your questions down in a notebook and bring it to the interview. It shows preparation and genuine interest.

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8. “I’ll Do Whatever—I Just Need a Job”

Desperation is not a selling point. While honesty is generally admirable, telling an interviewer that you’ll take anything communicates that you have no direction, no passion, and no particular reason to want this specific role.

Why it’s damaging:

• It makes the interviewer question your commitment to the position
• It suggests you’ll leave as soon as something better comes along
• It removes any sense of intentionality from your candidacy

What to say instead: “I’m specifically drawn to this role because [specific reason related to the job description or company mission]. My background in [relevant experience] makes me confident I can contribute meaningfully here.”

9. “Sorry, I’m So Nervous”

It’s completely normal to feel nervous during an interview. But repeatedly apologizing for your nerves draws attention to them and can make the interviewer uncomfortable.

Why it’s damaging:

• It puts the focus on your anxiety rather than your qualifications
• It can make the interviewer question your confidence in high-pressure situations
• It creates an awkward dynamic that’s hard to recover from

What to say instead: If you need to acknowledge it, try: “I’m really excited about this opportunity, so I want to make sure I communicate my thoughts clearly.” This reframes nervousness as enthusiasm.

Body Language Tip: If nerves are getting the best of you, try planting both feet flat on the floor, sitting up straight, and taking a slow breath before answering. Research shows that adopting confident body language can actually reduce feelings of anxiety.

10. “No, I’ve Never Had a Conflict at Work”

Behavioral interview questions like “Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a coworker” are designed to assess your interpersonal skills. Claiming you’ve never experienced conflict isn’t believable—and it sidesteps the real question.

Why it’s damaging:

• Everyone has experienced workplace conflict; denying it seems dishonest
• It wastes an opportunity to showcase your conflict resolution skills
• It suggests you may avoid difficult conversations rather than address them

What to say instead: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to describe a real conflict and how you handled it professionally. “In a previous role, a colleague and I disagreed on the direction of a project. I scheduled a one-on-one conversation where we each shared our perspectives. We found a compromise that incorporated both of our ideas, and the project ended up exceeding our targets.”

11. “How Much Does This Job Pay?” (As Your First Question)

Compensation matters—of course it does. But leading with salary questions before discussing your qualifications or the role itself sends the wrong message.

Why it’s damaging:

• It suggests money is your only motivator
• It can feel transactional before any relationship has been built
• It puts the interviewer in an awkward position early in the process

What to say instead: Let the interviewer bring up compensation first. If they ask about your salary expectations, try: “I’m flexible and open to discussing compensation once we determine that this is a great mutual fit. Based on my research, I understand the range for this type of role is [range].“

12. “I Don’t Really Have Any Weaknesses”

Similar to the fake weakness problem, claiming you have no weaknesses at all is perhaps even worse. It signals a complete lack of self-awareness—a trait that research consistently links to poor leadership and teamwork.

Why it’s damaging:

• Nobody is perfect, and claiming otherwise destroys credibility
• It suggests you’re not open to feedback or growth
• It makes the interviewer question your honesty across all your other answers

What to say instead: Be honest and growth-oriented. “One area I’m actively developing is [genuine skill]. I’ve been taking steps to improve by [specific action], and I’ve already seen progress in [measurable outcome].”

Quick Reference: Interview Phrases to Avoid

Here’s a summary of phrases to strike from your interview vocabulary:

The Bigger Picture: It’s About Emotional Intelligence

If you look at this list closely, you’ll notice a pattern. The worst things to say in an interview all share a common thread: they reveal low emotional intelligence. Whether it’s a lack of self-awareness, poor social skills, or an inability to read the room, these phrases signal that a candidate may struggle with the interpersonal demands of the workplace.

The good news? Emotional intelligence is a skill you can develop. Here are three ways to sharpen yours before your next interview:

1. Practice self-awareness. Record yourself doing a mock interview and watch it back. Notice your word choices, tone, and body language.
2. Develop empathy. Put yourself in the interviewer’s shoes. What are they looking for? What concerns might they have? Tailor your responses accordingly.
3. Regulate your emotions. Develop a pre-interview routine that helps you manage stress—whether that’s deep breathing, visualization, or a quick walk around the block.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should you never say in a job interview?

Avoid badmouthing previous employers, claiming you have no weaknesses, saying “it’s on my resume,” or asking about salary and promotions as your first questions. These responses signal low emotional intelligence, poor preparation, or a lack of genuine interest in the role. Focus instead on demonstrating self-awareness, preparation, and enthusiasm for the specific opportunity.

How do you recover from saying something wrong in an interview?

Take a brief pause, then calmly correct yourself. You might say, “Let me rephrase that—what I meant was…” Interviewers appreciate candidates who can self-correct gracefully. It actually demonstrates the kind of self-awareness and composure that employers value. Don’t dwell on the mistake or repeatedly apologize.

What are red flags for interviewers?

Interviewers watch for negativity about past employers, lack of specific examples, inability to discuss weaknesses honestly, no questions about the role or company, and signs of dishonesty or exaggeration. Body language red flags include avoiding eye contact, crossed arms, and fidgeting excessively. The biggest red flag is a lack of preparation—it suggests you won’t be diligent in the role either.

Is it OK to admit you’re nervous in an interview?

A brief, honest acknowledgment is fine—but don’t dwell on it. Instead of saying “Sorry, I’m so nervous,” reframe it positively: “I’m really excited about this opportunity.” This turns a potential negative into a signal of genuine enthusiasm. Then take a deep breath, plant your feet, and focus on your preparation.

Final Thoughts

Job interviews are high-stakes conversations, but they don’t have to be minefields. By knowing the worst things to say in an interview—and preparing thoughtful alternatives—you position yourself as a self-aware, emotionally intelligent candidate who’s ready to contribute from day one.

Remember: every word you say in an interview is an opportunity to demonstrate your value. Choose them wisely.

Now go prepare, practice, and land that job. You’ve got this.