Things you should not say during an interview

I just returned from a long day of interviews and candidate presentations. Here is today`s digest of what you should not say during a job interview:


1. Candidate to hiring manager (CFO) after his question on some company detail was not answered in full detail: "Bur you as the CFO should know....."
Advice: Ask questions, but never challenge the interviewer so he/she feels uncomfortable! 


2. Candidate to interviewer: "When we relocated to ... we were looking for an adequate new home. You know, there you need to spend at least 1-2Million USD for a nice house...."
Advice: Do not get too personal in a first interview, and try not to leverage your social status or financial background. This does usually not leave a good impression. Understatement is - in most cases - perceived in a much better way than "showing off".


3. Candidate (interviwed for a sales position) referring to the hiring company hightech products: "I believe that servicing of these boxes is an integral part..."
Advice: If you are interested in the job and the company, use the appropriate business terms for their services or products, and do not degrade the possible usage or quality of the same. The hiring company is usually very proud of their products and usp.


4. Candidate to hiring manager: "Do not get me wrong by me saying this, but shouldn`t these practices have been put in place..."
Advice: Hold back any criticism of actions, services, measures or decisions if you do not (yet) have a clear picture of all factors involved, or if not being directly asked by the interviewer to make a judgement or immediate assessment.