4 things you should never do in an interview

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Interviewing

University of Exeter/Flickr

Never ask about vacation time!

Once you've landed a job interview, you have one shot to wow the hiring manager. To do this, there are a few things you should avoid at all costs.

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In a recent LinkedIn post, recruiting manager John Kirschner shared the 10 "nevers" of interviews. Here are four of our favorites:

1. Never show up without good questions. "Interviewing is like a sales call; you uncover a need and try to fill it," writes Kirschner. "Find the real need by asking good questions. You are interviewing them as well, so this is your chance to learn more about the job, the company, the manager, the culture, etc."

Some good questions to have in your back pocket:

  • How do you see this position evolving in the next three years?
  • Can you tell me a little about the team I'll be working with?
  • What constitutes success with this position and company?
  • What concerns or reservations do you have about me for this position?

2. Never avoid eye contact or send negative non-verbal messages. "Hiring managers will watch how you communicate and try to envision you interacting with their customers and employees," explains Kirschner. Avoid fidgeting, maintain eye contact, and listen closely, he advises. "Never ramble when answering questions, and never do all the talking. Listen 60% and answer 40% as a rule."

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3. Never ask about compensation, benefits, or vacation time. "They will think that it's all about money with you and that you would leave them for the next best offer," he says. However, if the employer brings it up, that's a good sign and you can discuss the topic. "It's a buying sign," explains Kirschner. "Answer their questions openly and honestly, and follow their lead."

4. Never bad mouth your current company. Criticizing you company or manager is never a good idea. "They could think you can't work well with others or have a problem with authority," he writes. "Also do not share anything that would be considered confidential information."

Read the full list of interview nevers here.

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