By request, I want to take up the topic of Job Interviews, and consider what topics to avoid. According to Urban Dictionary, TMI means “Too Much Information”. And avoiding TMI in interviews will be the focus today. TMI in the context of job interviews falls into too categories: 1) Personal information that is inappropriate, and 2) Information that is off-topic. Considering the topic from a hiring perspective, you want to avoid providing information that will block you from getting a job offer. Below is a list of topics that should be avoided in a job interview. Some may seem obvious, but bare repeating. There may be some items that may surprise you.
Belaboring Education: This is not to say you don’t mention your education at all. But my suggestion is to give a summary if asked about your education. Don’t belabor. Your interviewer might be a person that did not have the opportunity to go business school, graduate school, etc... Don’t rub salt in the wound. Also, in some quarters there can be a bias against too much education. So best not to dwell on your education. But do bring it up in summary if it helps you in getting the job. For example, if interviewing with a medical company, “…I completed my Master in Bio-Chemistry at Stanford…”
Age: This is one of the more obvious items. The hiring market favors youth. If you look younger than you really are don’t betray this by mentioning age. This is especially true for applicants in their 50’s or 60’s.
Reasons for Leaving your past jobs: This question may have already come up on your job application. But if you made the cut to make it to a job interview, there is no point in bringing this up during the interview unless your interviewer specifically asks the question. It is better to resign than be fired – right? Well, not necessarily. You may be interviewing with a company that has a prejudice against “quitters”.
Drinking or Drug Use: In some circles talking about alcohol, or recreational drugs might be seen as “cool”. More often the case this throws up a red flag. Better to project an image of a serious candidate, who has a clear head, and makes good decisions.
Religious Affiliation: My suggestion here is not to mention “Church” in the interview. There are some people that see Church membership as a plus. The thing is – you never know. Most people consider religion to be a personal matter, and there is good reason for this. The exception of course is if you are applying for a job that has connections to your Church, Synagogue, or Mosque.
Hobbies: Unless directly related to the job, don’t mention your hobbies. Hobbies tend to be a relief from life responsibilities, including jobs. In the same realm, there is no need to bring up the teams you cheer for. Your interviewer may cheer for different teams, or even feel that sports is a distraction. If asked about your hobbies, have an answer prepared. A valid response can be “my job has kept me so busy I don’t have a lot of extra time for hobbies, but I try to spend the time I have with my family…” This answer shows commitment to your job, and commitment to your family. Both good things.
Sexual preference: I know, I know. But I feel I still need to list this. The tides seem to be changing to make sexual orientation more open, but not so in every corner of the business world. Just like religious affiliation, this is a personal matter, and should be kept personal during the interview.
Living Situation: There are perfectly good reasons to live with your folks, especially if your debt is high, or if your family culture expects this. But there is no good reason to bring this up in the interview. The same holds true if you are living with your girlfriend, or boyfriend outside of marriage. In fact, this may telegraph a lack of personal commitment to the interviewer. My suggestion is to avoid bringing your living situation into the conversation.
When you go to a job interview realize that they want you to succeed in the interview. They want you to get the job. Otherwise you would not be there. Consider the job as yours for the taking. Be confident. Most importantly be yourself. Just don’t risk blocking the hire by disclosing too much personal information. The best approach is to keep your answers short – one of two sentences. If the interviewer wants more information they will ask for it. The easiest way to navigate an interview is to consider what topics will support your being hired. If what you disclose will not support this, or is not appropriate for the interview, think twice.
Author: Brian Kail, MBA, CPC is a Certified Career Coach, and Business Consultant. For more information see AscendProCoach.com
Belaboring Education: This is not to say you don’t mention your education at all. But my suggestion is to give a summary if asked about your education. Don’t belabor. Your interviewer might be a person that did not have the opportunity to go business school, graduate school, etc... Don’t rub salt in the wound. Also, in some quarters there can be a bias against too much education. So best not to dwell on your education. But do bring it up in summary if it helps you in getting the job. For example, if interviewing with a medical company, “…I completed my Master in Bio-Chemistry at Stanford…”
Age: This is one of the more obvious items. The hiring market favors youth. If you look younger than you really are don’t betray this by mentioning age. This is especially true for applicants in their 50’s or 60’s.
Reasons for Leaving your past jobs: This question may have already come up on your job application. But if you made the cut to make it to a job interview, there is no point in bringing this up during the interview unless your interviewer specifically asks the question. It is better to resign than be fired – right? Well, not necessarily. You may be interviewing with a company that has a prejudice against “quitters”.
Drinking or Drug Use: In some circles talking about alcohol, or recreational drugs might be seen as “cool”. More often the case this throws up a red flag. Better to project an image of a serious candidate, who has a clear head, and makes good decisions.
Religious Affiliation: My suggestion here is not to mention “Church” in the interview. There are some people that see Church membership as a plus. The thing is – you never know. Most people consider religion to be a personal matter, and there is good reason for this. The exception of course is if you are applying for a job that has connections to your Church, Synagogue, or Mosque.
Hobbies: Unless directly related to the job, don’t mention your hobbies. Hobbies tend to be a relief from life responsibilities, including jobs. In the same realm, there is no need to bring up the teams you cheer for. Your interviewer may cheer for different teams, or even feel that sports is a distraction. If asked about your hobbies, have an answer prepared. A valid response can be “my job has kept me so busy I don’t have a lot of extra time for hobbies, but I try to spend the time I have with my family…” This answer shows commitment to your job, and commitment to your family. Both good things.
Sexual preference: I know, I know. But I feel I still need to list this. The tides seem to be changing to make sexual orientation more open, but not so in every corner of the business world. Just like religious affiliation, this is a personal matter, and should be kept personal during the interview.
Living Situation: There are perfectly good reasons to live with your folks, especially if your debt is high, or if your family culture expects this. But there is no good reason to bring this up in the interview. The same holds true if you are living with your girlfriend, or boyfriend outside of marriage. In fact, this may telegraph a lack of personal commitment to the interviewer. My suggestion is to avoid bringing your living situation into the conversation.
When you go to a job interview realize that they want you to succeed in the interview. They want you to get the job. Otherwise you would not be there. Consider the job as yours for the taking. Be confident. Most importantly be yourself. Just don’t risk blocking the hire by disclosing too much personal information. The best approach is to keep your answers short – one of two sentences. If the interviewer wants more information they will ask for it. The easiest way to navigate an interview is to consider what topics will support your being hired. If what you disclose will not support this, or is not appropriate for the interview, think twice.
Author: Brian Kail, MBA, CPC is a Certified Career Coach, and Business Consultant. For more information see AscendProCoach.com
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