What you should not talk about in a job interview

A job interview — is your chance to show yourself at your best, demonstrate your qualities and convince an employer that you are the right fit for the position. It is also important to know, however, that certain topics can trip up even the most experienced candidate. A first impression is hard to change, so let us look at the things it is better to keep quiet about in order to leave only a positive impression.

Table of contents:

• Personal problems and conflicts
• Politics, religion and social issues
• Salary and benefits from the first minutes
• Negative comments about a previous employer
• Unplanned questions about the future

Personal problems and conflicts

An interview — is above all an opportunity to show your professional competence and a character suited to working in a team. Talking too openly about personal problems can create a distorted impression of you.

Why talking about personal problems can create a negative first impression:

• Separating the professional from the personal. When you share personal problems, that can show an employer that you do not know how to separate work from your private life. Mentioning difficult relationships with family, for example, can raise concerns that such situations will distract you from your work.
• Questions of priority. If you emphasise personal difficulties, the employer may wonder: will you be able to focus on work if you run into problems in your private life?
• Emotional resilience. Describing personal conflicts can cast doubt on your emotional resilience and your ability to react appropriately to challenges at work.

How to avoid mentioning personal conflicts at previous jobs:

• Focus on professional achievements. Instead of going into the details of difficult relationships with colleagues or managers, focus on your professional achievements and experience. For example: «At my previous job I successfully delivered project X, which let the company improve indicator Y».
• Tact. If the question of your relationships with former colleagues does come up in an interview, it is better to answer neutrally and correctly, for example: «Everyone has their own character, but we managed to find common ground on work matters».
• Redirection. If the interviewer insists on discussing conflict situations, try turning the conversation to how you successfully solved work problems and which skills you gained in the process.

In the end, beyond professional skills, employers look for candidates who can work effectively in a team, overcome problems at work and keep a positive attitude. Your task, then, — is to show yourself at your best while avoiding unnecessary details about your private life.

Politics, religion and social issues

An interview — is above all a professional occasion whose purpose — is to determine how well a candidate fits a position. Sometimes, however, the conversation can turn to topics which, relevant as they are, can cause misunderstanding or even conflict.

Why these topics are considered slippery:

• Subjective opinions. Questions of politics, religion and social issues are often based on personal convictions. What is an axiom for one person can provoke objection in another. Discussing political reform, for example, can lead to disagreement rooted in different views on the economy or social justice.
• Cultural diversity. In multicultural companies or in countries with different religious traditions, questions of faith can be extremely sensitive. Simply mentioning the celebration of a religious holiday can cause misunderstanding among colleagues of another faith.
• Social issues. Discussing social topics such as gender equality, migration or the environment can reveal your attitude towards particular groups in society or towards global problems. Even an innocent remark about preferring reusable bags can be taken as criticism of those who do not use them.

How to avoid discussion of these topics, even if the interviewer starts it:

• A professional focus. Always try to bring the conversation back to professional matters. For example: «That is an interesting point of view, but I would like to know more about the company's corporate culture».
• Objectivity and neutrality. If the topic does come up, try to speak objectively and avoid emotional judgements. For example: «I have heard different opinions on this question and believe everyone has a right to their own point of view».
• Tactful avoidance. If you feel the topic could become a source of conflict, it is better to avoid it. For example: «I came here to learn more about the vacancy and would prefer to focus on that».

Beyond all professional qualities, an employer is interested in your ability to work with a team and avoid conflict. It is therefore important to show yourself as someone who can respect other people's opinions and maintain a good working atmosphere.

Salary and benefits from the first minutes

Questions of financial compensation and additional benefits — are an inseparable part of the hiring process. Starting a conversation about money in the first minutes of an interview, however, can be risky.

Why raising money too early can look unprofessional:

• The candidate's priorities. If you open with questions about salary, the employer may decide that money — is your main motivator rather than interest in the role or the company. Instead of asking about the corporate culture or the tasks of the new role, you focus on the financial side.
• A lack of tact. A conversation about money always requires tact. By raising the topic too early you can look overly insistent or even brash.
• Self-assessment. By opening a discussion about salary before learning the details of the job, you risk naming a figure that does not match the market or the level of the position offered.

How and when to raise the topic properly:

Wait for the right moment

It is best to discuss money when the employer raises the question themselves or when you move on to the details of an offer. After a phrase such as: «We think you are an excellent fit for this role. Let us discuss the terms».

Research the market

Before going to an interview, study the average salary for your position in that industry and region. That helps you be ready for the discussion and understand how fair the employer's offer is.

Phrase your questions tactfully

Instead of the blunt «How much are you offering me?» you can say: «Could you tell me about the full compensation package, including base salary, bonuses and other benefits?».

In the end, although salary and benefits play a key role in your decision about working for a company, it is important to approach the question with tact and respect, demonstrating professionalism and interest in the company first.

Negative comments about a previous employer

Moving to a new job — is an important stage in any specialist's life. During an interview, however, the question of why you left your previous position can come up, and it is important to approach the answer deliberately.

Why it can compromise you:

• Questions of loyalty. Criticising a former employer can create the impression that you are not loyal to a company. The employer may wonder: «Will this candidate start revealing our company's shortcomings after leaving here?»
• Professional maturity. Negative comments about former colleagues or managers can raise doubts about your professional maturity and your ability to resolve conflict constructively.
• Objectivity. If you criticise a previous employer, the question arises of whether you can assess a situation objectively. Perhaps the problems lay not only with the company but also with you?

How to discuss the reasons for leaving your previous job tactfully:

Focus on the positive

Instead of emphasising the shortcomings of your previous job, describe what you would like to achieve in the new position. For example: «I was looking for opportunities for more active professional growth and development, and it seems to me that your company can offer exactly that».

Keep it general

If you are nevertheless asked to explain why you left, try to avoid specific details that may look like criticism. For example: «It seemed to me that in another company I could realise my potential better».

Use neutral terminology 

Instead of words such as «problems», «conflicts» or «disagreements», use more neutral expressions such as «a difference of views on development» or «looking for new opportunities».

Beyond your experience and qualifications, potential employers also assess your attitude to previous jobs. By showing tact and professionalism you strengthen your chances of being hired.

Unplanned questions about the future

Wanting to grow in your career — is natural for any specialist. Raising the topic in an interview, however, has to be done tactfully, with the questions phrased properly.

Why questions such as «How long will I work here before I get a promotion?» can look naive or even aggressive:

• Preconceived expectations. Such a question can show an employer that you already have particular expectations about the timing and terms of career growth, without even knowing the details of the work or the company's requirements.
• A lack of realism. Every company has its own system of promotion and career growth. By asking such a question you risk demonstrating that you do not understand that.
• A focus on personal interests. Instead of showing interest in the company's tasks and mission, you emphasise your own career growth.

How to raise questions of career growth properly:

• Focus on the long term. Instead of asking about specific timeframes, it is better to express your interest in developing within the company. Example: «What opportunities for professional growth does your company offer?»
• Show your value first. Before asking about promotion, describe your qualifications, your experience and how you can bring value to the company. Your interest in growth will then be seen as a wish to bring even more value.
• Ask open questions. Instead of pinning down specific details, ask about the general culture of employee development in the company. For example: «How do you support the development of your employees?»

An interview — is not only an opportunity to demonstrate your professional skills, but also a chance to present yourself as a competent, thoughtful and tactful specialist. By avoiding «slippery» topics and phrasing your questions properly you strengthen your chances of being hired.

Remember too how important the first impression is: it is formed not only by your CV or your answers to professional questions, but also by how you conduct yourself in conversation, which topics you raise and how you react to them.

Every interview — is an opportunity for both sides to get to know each other better. Aim for openness and honesty, but do not forget tact and professionalism. That way you create the best impression and strengthen your position in the eyes of a potential employer.