The wrong words can ruin your job interview before it even starts.
You could have the perfect résumé, solid experience, and a great personality, but saying the wrong thing in a job interview can instantly sink your chances. Employers don’t just evaluate your qualifications—they listen to how you communicate, and certain phrases make you sound less capable, less confident, or even less educated than you really are.
The problem isn’t just grammar mistakes or slang. Some phrases make you seem unprepared, while others suggest a lack of professionalism or critical thinking. If you’ve ever left an interview feeling like something was off, your word choices may have been working against you. Smart candidates know that a great interview is about presenting themselves as polished, articulate, and adaptable.
Here are phrases you should never say in an interview if you want to sound sharp, capable, and completely hireable.
1. Saying “I don’t know” makes you sound unprepared and uninterested.
There’s nothing wrong with not having all the answers, but flatly saying “I don’t know” makes you look disengaged and unresourceful. Employers want candidates who can think on their feet and problem-solve, not someone who gives up at the first challenge.
Instead of shutting down the conversation, redirect it in a way that keeps the discussion flowing. Try, “That’s a great question—I haven’t encountered that before, but I’d approach it by…” or “I’d love to learn more about how your company handles that situation.” This shows you’re open to learning and can think critically, even when you don’t have an immediate answer, as reported by Regina Borsellino of The Muse.
2. Using “like, um, and you know” too much makes you seem less articulate.
Filler words are fine in casual conversation, but in a professional setting, they make you sound unsure of yourself. If every sentence is packed with “like,” “um,” and “you know,” hiring managers might assume you lack confidence or struggle to communicate clearly, according to Jennifer Herrity of Indeed.
The best way to fix this is to slow down and be intentional with your words. Take a short pause instead of filling the silence with unnecessary words. Practicing mock interviews or recording yourself speaking can help you recognize where you rely on filler words and work on eliminating them.
3. Saying “I’ll do anything” makes you seem desperate instead of qualified.
It’s great to be open to opportunities, but telling an employer you’ll do anything makes it sound like you have no direction or skills, as stated by Kathryn Randolph of Fast Web. Hiring managers want to see ambition, not desperation. If you don’t seem clear on what you bring to the table, they won’t be either.
A better approach is to express enthusiasm for the role while reinforcing your strengths. Try something like, “I’m really interested in roles that allow me to use my skills in [specific area], and I think this position is a great fit for that.” This makes you sound intentional and confident in your value.
4. Saying “what does your company do?” makes you look lazy and uninformed.
Walking into an interview without knowing the basics about the company is a major red flag. Employers expect you to have done some homework. Asking “What does your company do?” tells them you didn’t bother to research, and that’s an instant credibility killer.
Instead, if you genuinely need clarity on a company’s structure or initiatives, phrase it in a way that shows you did your homework. Try, “I read about your recent expansion into [market or product]—can you tell me more about how that’s impacting your team?” This shows you’re engaged and genuinely interested in the company’s work.
5. Saying “I don’t have experience in that” makes you sound incapable.
If an interviewer asks about a skill you don’t have, don’t just admit you lack experience and leave it at that. Employers don’t expect candidates to check every single box—they want to see how you handle challenges and adapt to new situations.
Instead, pivot the conversation by highlighting relevant skills or showing your ability to learn. Try saying, “While I haven’t done that directly, I’ve worked on similar projects that required [related skill], and I’m confident I could pick it up quickly.” This keeps the focus on your strengths rather than your gaps.
6. Saying “my last boss was terrible” makes you seem unprofessional and negative.
Even if your last job was a nightmare, trashing a former boss or company in an interview makes you look bad. It signals that you might be difficult to work with, overly critical, or unable to handle workplace challenges maturely.
If you need to discuss a tough situation, keep it neutral and professional. Instead of blaming your previous employer, focus on what you learned. A phrase like, “The company had some challenges with leadership, but I gained a lot of valuable experience in handling difficult situations and improving processes” shows that you can stay professional even in tough circumstances.
7. Saying “I’m a perfectionist” sounds like an empty cliché.
When asked about weaknesses, many candidates default to saying they’re a perfectionist, thinking it makes them sound dedicated. The problem? Hiring managers hear this all the time, and it rarely comes across as genuine.
If you want to stand out, be honest about a real challenge you’ve worked on improving. Try saying, “I used to spend too much time double-checking minor details, but I’ve learned to balance quality with efficiency by prioritizing the most impactful tasks.” This makes you sound self-aware and growth-oriented.
8. Saying “I just need a job” makes you seem uninterested in this job.
Employers don’t just want someone who wants a job—they want someone who wants this job. Saying “I just need a job” makes it seem like you’re applying anywhere and don’t actually care about the role.
Instead, highlight why you’re interested in this particular position. Try, “I’m excited about this role because it aligns with my skills in [specific area], and I’m really drawn to the work your team is doing in [specific project or value].” This makes you sound engaged and intentional.
9. Saying “I don’t have any questions” makes you seem uninterested in the job.
When an interviewer asks if you have any questions, the worst possible answer is “No, I think you covered everything.” This makes it seem like you’re not invested in the role or the company.
Always have a few thoughtful questions prepared. Ask about team culture, growth opportunities, or how success is measured in the role. Something like, “What’s one thing you love about working here?” shows curiosity and engagement. The best interviews feel like conversations, not interrogations—so take the chance to show your interest.
10. Saying “I work too hard” as a weakness makes you sound insincere.
Another cliché that hiring managers are tired of hearing is “I work too hard” or “I care too much.” It doesn’t sound like a real weakness—it sounds like you’re trying too hard to spin a strength into a flaw.
Instead, choose a real area you’ve worked on improving. Try something like, “I used to struggle with delegating because I wanted to make sure everything was perfect, but I’ve learned that trusting my team leads to better results.” This sounds far more authentic and shows you’re actively growing.
11. Saying “how much does this job pay?” too soon makes you seem uninterested in anything else.
Salary is important, but bringing it up too early in the interview makes it seem like your main concern is the paycheck, not the role itself. Employers want to see that you’re interested in the work before they discuss compensation.
The right time to ask about salary is when an offer is on the table or when the interviewer brings it up. If they ask about your expectations early on, keep it professional by saying, “I’m open to discussing salary once we’ve determined whether this is a great fit on both sides.” This keeps the focus on your skills and value first.