Words You Should Avoid During a Job Interview
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A job interview is your chance to make a good professional impression. Every word you choose counts. While you're focused on showcasing your skills and experience, it's equally important to be mindful of the words that can undermine your credibility. Based on common missteps, here’s a breakdown of terms to avoid and what to say instead.
Actually Instead Remove it and state the fact directly.
Always Instead Use more accurate terms like "Typically" or "As a standard practice."
Amazing Instead Describe the specific achievement without the buzzword.
Basically Instead Remove this filler word and get straight to the point.
Benefits Instead Let the interviewer bring it up first, or ask about the "overall compensation package."
Boring Instead Frame it as a desire for growth and new challenges.
Can’t Instead Focus on solutions and your ability to learn.
Curse Words Instead Maintain a professional vocabulary at all times.
Dedicated Instead Show it by describing your specific commitment and actions.
Ever Instead Be specific and ask about future opportunities.
Fired Instead Use a constructive phrase like "It was a mutual decision."
Hate Instead State a professional preference for what you enjoy.
Honestly Instead Remove it, as it can imply other statements are less honest.
I don’t know Instead "That's a great question. Based on my experience, my approach would be..."
I guess Instead State your opinion confidently with "I believe" or "My recommendation is."
I think Instead State it as a conviction with "I am confident" or "Based on the data."
Just Instead Remove this minimizer to sound more assertive.
Kinda Instead Be definitive and remove the qualifier.
Learn Instead Specify your ability to quickly master new skills.
Like Instead Pause instead of using this filler word.
Me, Myself & I Instead Use "we" and "the team" to show collaboration.
Motivated Instead Show your motivation by describing a proactive step you took.
Negatives Instead Frame challenges as "opportunities for improvement."
Never Instead Be open and forward-looking about new opportunities.
Need Instead Frame it as a question about company policies or philosophy.
No problem Instead Use a more professional "You're welcome" or "My pleasure."
Obviously Instead Remove it to avoid sounding condescending.
Overqualified Instead Explain why the role is a perfect fit for your current goals.
Perfectionist Instead Describe a real, manageable weakness and your solution for it.
Quit Instead Use "I resigned to pursue" or "I left to seek a new challenge."
Salary Instead "Based on my research, I'm seeking a competitive package in the range of..."
So Instead Remove it from the beginning of your answers.
Sorry Instead Reframe it as "Thank you for your patience."
Stuff Instead Be specific and list the actual items or tasks.
Sure Instead Use more enthusiastic and professional agreement like "Absolutely."
Try Instead Use a definitive verb like "I will" or "I am committed to."
Um Instead Practice the power of a brief, silent pause.
Weakness Instead Describe a real weakness and the proactive steps you take to manage it.
Whatever Instead Show engagement by discussing priorities.
An interview is a professional conversation. By eliminating these weak, negative, and casual words from your vocabulary, you project confidence, competence, and a polished demeanor. Prepare and practice your answers to replace these common pitfalls with powerful, positive, and precise language that will make a memorable impact for all the right reasons.
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