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bad interview questions: 10 Worst Interview Answers (And How To Improve Them)
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bad interview questions: 10 Worst Interview Answers (And How To Improve Them)
Introduction
It’s normal to be nervous before an interview. After all, you’re going to be sitting down with someone who has a lot of power over whether or not you get hired for the job—and that’s not something people like to think about. But it’s also important to remember that most interviewers are just as nervous as you are! The best way to get through a tough situation like this is with honesty and wit. So if one of these questions comes up in your next interview, don’t panic—just follow our tips below:
“I’m not sure.”
Don’t be afraid to admit that you don’t know something. If you don’t know the answer, ask for more information or offer an alternative solution instead of just saying “I’m not sure.” You want to show that even when things aren’t clear, you’re willing and eager to figure them out by asking questions and doing research on your own time.
“That’s a good question.”
“That’s a good question.”
This is not only a bad answer, it’s also one that can get you into trouble. Interviewers will know that you’re trying to be diplomatic and polite. In their eyes, this translates into “I have nothing useful to say.” Instead of saying this phrase or anything similar, be prepared with an answer that shows off your knowledge of the job description and experience in the field.
“I don’t know how to answer that.”
Avoid saying “I don’t know” at all costs. This may seem like a good way to avoid giving a bad answer, but it’s actually an opportunity for your interviewer to see how well you can think on your feet and handle difficult situations. Instead of saying this, try asking for time to think about the question: “Can I get back with an answer?” This gives the impression that you’re thoughtful and considerate of their time, while also showing them that yes! You do have an answer!
If they still insist on an immediate response (and if they do, run), then give them one anyway–but make sure it’s specific! For example: “I’ve never been asked this before so let me think about how my experience has prepared me.” Or even better: “In college I had a teacher who always told us not only what was right or wrong but why things were true…he taught me how important details are in any situation.”
“What are your career goals?”
This question is intended to get you thinking about how you can fit into the company’s plan, but it’s also a great opportunity for you to ask some questions of your own. Make sure you know what kinds of goals the interviewer has in mind before answering this one–you don’t want to make yourself look bad by saying “I want more money” if they’re looking for someone who wants to grow from within.
If there are no specific career goals listed on their website or LinkedIn profile, ask them what their expectations are for this position and how soon might someone be ready for advancement within the company? If there are no specific requirements listed in job postings (e.g., “5+ years experience” or “MBA degree”), ask what kind of experience and education would make an ideal candidate stand out among other applicants.
Once again: Don’t just take their word on these things! You have every right as an applicant–and potential employee–to do some research into what makes an ideal candidate so special; otherwise, how will anyone know if YOU’RE THE ONE?
“I could do this job on a part-time basis.”
If a potential employer asks if you could do the job on a part-time basis, it’s a bad answer. The interviewer wants to know that you can handle all aspects of the position full-time and won’t have to rely on others for help. If they feel like your commitment is lacking, it will be reflected in their decision not to hire you.
Another common mistake with this question is giving an answer that shows off your strengths but doesn’t actually address whether or not you could do the job in question: “I’m great at multitasking!” or “I love working under pressure.” These kinds of answers may sound good at first glance (and even make sense), but they don’t give any indication as to whether or not someone would actually want them working at their company full time–which should always be your goal when answering interview questions!
“How much vacation time do you get?”
This is a question that’s best left unanswered. For the most part, how much vacation time an employee gets is none of your employer’s business–and they’ll likely feel insulted if you tell them too much information about your personal life.
If possible, avoid saying anything at all and just smile politely when they ask this question (or any other personal question). If pressed further by an interviewer who seems to want more information than just “yes” or “no,” try saying something like: “I take full advantage of my vacation time.”
“What does this company do?”
This is a question you should be prepared to answer. It’s not your job to ask the interviewer what their company does, so don’t let them off the hook by doing so yourself. Instead, say something like: “I did my research on your website and in the press releases I’ve seen about your company over the past year or so.” Then follow up with an example of how you learned about their business model or industry (e.g., “I read that you’re working with X company on an exciting new product line”).
“I love this company!”
While it’s great to have a genuine interest in the company you’re interviewing with, don’t say this if you haven’t done your research. If they ask how much you know about their company, don’t make up answers or lie–it will only hurt your chances of getting hired.
Instead: When answering questions like these, be honest but sell yourself as well! If a potential employer asks why they should hire you over other candidates (and they probably will), give concrete examples of why they should trust that person with their business needs. It doesn’t have to be anything flashy; just make sure it sounds authentic and specific enough so that they know what makes YOU different than other applicants without sounding cocky or arrogant
Takeaway:
The most important thing to remember is that you’re interviewing the company as much as they are interviewing you. In other words, don’t take your answers at face value and assume that just because someone asks a question it means they want an honest answer from you.
If something does come up during an interview that makes you uncomfortable or unhappy with a potential employer’s culture, ask yourself why this might be happening? Is this just one bad apple in an otherwise good bunch? Or is there something deeper going on within the organization itself?
If it turns out there are problems with how things work (and if they’re not addressed immediately), then perhaps this isn’t the right place for either party involved–and certainly not worth taking any risks on behalf of yourself or others who may end up working alongside those same people later down the road!
Conclusion
We hope this article has given you some ideas for how to improve your interview answers. Remember that the key is to be confident in yourself and what you can bring to the company. Be sure not to let nerves get in the way of giving good answers!