10 Things You Should Avoid Revealing In A Job Interview - Interview Tips

Summary

In this video, Brian from Life After Layoff advises job seekers on what not to reveal during interviews. He warns against sharing too much personal information, discussing the real reasons for leaving a job, disclosing career plans that conflict with the position, showing desperation for employment, indicating age or nearing retirement, revealing major medical issues, discussing political beliefs, and sharing previous salary details. The goal is to avoid biases and increase the chances of a successful interview.

Takeaways

• 🗣️ Avoid revealing too many personal facts during an interview to prevent oversharing and maintain professionalism.
• 🤔 Be cautious about sharing the real reason for leaving your current job to avoid negative perceptions.
• 🚫 Do not disclose your exact career plans if they conflict with the job you're applying for to prevent appearing uncommitted.
• 🏃‍♂️ Do not convey desperation for a job, as it can be off-putting to potential employers.
• 📅 Be mindful of revealing your age or implying how many years you plan to work, as it can lead to age discrimination.
• 🤐 Keep your major medical issues private unless they directly affect your ability to perform the job duties.
• 🙅‍♂️ Refrain from discussing political beliefs during interviews to prevent potential bias from arising.
• 💰 Do not reveal your previous salary to maintain negotiation power and avoid salary undervaluation.
• 📝 Practice answering interview questions to appear more articulate and concise, which reflects well on your professional communication skills.
• 🔗 Tailor your responses to align with the job description and demonstrate how your skills match the role's requirements.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Brian's video?

The main focus of Brian's video is to advise job seekers on what personal and professional information they should avoid revealing during job interviews to increase their chances of success.

Why should interviewees avoid sharing too many personal facts?

Interviewees should avoid sharing too many personal facts because it can indicate nervousness or a lack of emotional intelligence, which may lead employers to question their ability to communicate effectively in a business setting.

What could be a potential bias that arises from sharing personal hobbies or interests during an interview?

Sharing personal hobbies or interests could lead to biases if the interviewer does not share the same interests or dislikes them, which could negatively impact the candidate's chances of being hired.

Why should job seekers be cautious about revealing the real reason they are leaving their current job?

Job seekers should be cautious because revealing negative reasons for leaving, such as disliking a boss or being treated poorly, might make them appear difficult to work with or unsatisfied in their role.

What is the advice given for discussing career plans during an interview?

The advice is to frame career plans in a way that shows commitment to the current career path and potential for growth within the role, without revealing intentions to start a business or switch careers in the near future.

How can desperation in finding a job affect an interviewee's chances?

Desperation can make an interviewee appear overly eager, which might push the desired outcome further away, as employers tend to avoid candidates who seem desperate for a job.

Why is it important to be careful about revealing one's age during the job application process?

Revealing one's age can lead to age discrimination, as employers might have biases against hiring someone who is either too young or too close to retirement age.

What is the recommended approach to discussing medical issues during a job interview?

It is recommended to only discuss medical issues that would affect the ability to perform the job's basic requirements. Otherwise, such personal health information should be kept private to prevent potential biases.

Why should interviewees avoid discussing their political beliefs during an interview?

Discussing political beliefs can introduce biases and opinions that may not align with the interviewer's or company's views, which could negatively impact the hiring decision.

What is the suggested strategy for handling questions about previous salary during an interview?

The suggested strategy is to avoid revealing previous salary figures to prevent being locked into a lower salary offer. Instead, research market rates for the role and base salary expectations on that information.

What resources does Brian offer for job seekers who need more help with their job search?

Brian offers a website called lifeafterlayoff.com with various resources, including training courses such as resume writing, job seeker boot camps, and LinkedIn training, as well as a new 48-hour interview crash course.