Career development

 2d

7 phrases you should never say in a job interview if you want to get hired


I still remember the first real job interview I had in my early twenties.

I was so nervous that I ended up blurting out things I thought were harmless -- only to realize later how poorly they came across. The interviewer's face said it all.

Truth is, no matter how qualified you are, certain statements can make or break the impression you leave.

They might sound innocent, but they raise flags... about your attitude, your skills, or your commitment.

So today, let's explore that. Here are seven phrases that can make you stand out - for the wrong reasons.

I'm sharing them with you so you can sidestep these landmines and come across as the competent, well-mannered person you are.

This line reveals a lack of preparation and genuine interest.

It's easy to imagine the interviewer's thoughts: if you're already here, why wouldn't you at least do some basic research?

Even if you're applying to multiple places at once, it's essential to research each company's mission, recent achievements, or company culture.

When you say you don't know much, it suggests you're simply collecting paychecks, not investing yourself in a long-term fit.

Instead of speaking vaguely, try to mention a couple of relevant facts about the company that genuinely excite you. That small effort shows you're both intentional and engaged.

Many candidates think this phrase shows flexibility. In reality, it often signals desperation or lack of focus.

Hiring managers appreciate adaptability, but they also want to see that you have direction and can add specific value.

When you say, "I'll do anything," you risk coming across as someone who hasn't taken the time to figure out their strengths or desired role.

My approach: identify one or two key areas where you know you can contribute.

Let the interviewer see you've thought about how your skill set meets their needs, rather than acting like you'll take any task thrown at you.

Negativity about past experiences tends to backfire.

I've been in situations where I've disagreed with a manager or coworker, and I'm sure you have, too.

But broadcasting those conflicts in an interview sets an alarm off in the interviewer's mind.

They start wondering if you'll bring that same energy into their environment.

Keep your answers solution-focused. If you've had challenges, frame them as learning experiences.

How we speak about past teammates can reveal our collaborative potential. It's smarter to show how you overcame difficulties rather than dwell on who was to blame.

When an interviewer wraps up by asking, "Do you have any questions for me?" and you respond with a flat no, you lose a golden opportunity.

It's almost like you're signaling you haven't been actively listening or aren't curious about the position.

If I'm interviewing someone and they don't ask questions, I wonder if they're truly interested in the job. Chances are your interviewer will think the same.

Use this chance to dig deeper into the company culture or the role's challenges and opportunities.

It highlights your enthusiasm and your willingness to learn more about the place you might end up spending a lot of time in.

Asking for clarity is usually good. But if you phrase it in a way that exposes you haven't reviewed the job description, it can be a red flag.

Interviewers expect you to understand the basic scope of the job. Even if there are details you'd like to clarify, it's best to reference what you've already gathered.

Say something along the lines of, "I noticed the position involves leading quarterly marketing campaigns -- could you tell me more about the specific metrics you track for success?"

That way, you're not starting from zero. You're building on your existing knowledge, showing that you've done your homework.

Some folks believe being upfront about career ambitions is a good thing, and it can be.

But labeling the job as merely a short-term stepping stone can damage trust.

Hiring managers tend to worry you'll be out the door as soon as a better offer comes along.

Research shows that employee engagement is crucial to organizational performance and success. So hiring managers want to know you'll invest time, energy, and effort into growing with the company.

If you have big dreams, share them in a way that integrates the company's goals with your own. It can be framed as collaboration rather than a one-way transaction.

This is pretty similar to the previous point.

Now, I understand the urge to say this when you're feeling the crunch of unemployment or a frustrating job search.

But from the hiring manager's side, this phrase rings alarms. It implies you're not specifically interested in the role -- they just happen to be hiring at the right time.

It doesn't convey passion, alignment with the company, or a willingness to grow professionally.

Believe me, I've been in situations where I desperately wanted to land a position.

Even then, I found it more helpful to talk about how that particular role fits into my broader career goals.

You might need a job, but show the interviewer why you need this job. It's more purposeful and demonstrates authentic interest.

Next time you find yourself heading into an interview, these seven phrases are best left unsaid.

They can inadvertently question your readiness, your attitude, or your ability to add value in a meaningful way.

The good news is that you don't have to memorize a perfect script. It's about showing genuine curiosity, respect, and thoughtfulness.

Above all, it's about highlighting how your experiences and ideas mesh with the company's goals.

If you're ever unsure how to phrase something, consider focusing on what you learned, what excites you about the role, or how you plan to address specific challenges.

That approach will speak volumes about your mindset and give the hiring manager confidence in your potential.

A little preparation goes a long way in turning an interview from a nerve-wracking ordeal into a genuine conversation where you can shine. more
13   

  • Stanley-Duke Ngene

    9h

    These seven critical points are the ornaments of successful interviews. I am grateful to learn about the common mistakes in job interviews, and how to... remake the moment and stand out. Thanks for sharing. more

  • Esther Anyigba

    17h

    Helpful tit bits. Thank you.

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Career development

 17h

6 in 10 Job Seekers Say Their Applications Go Unseen by Humans


New report from MyPerfectResume shows frustration mounting as workers lie on applications, apply outside their Industry and feel invisible.

GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico, March 3, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The job search landscape is tougher than ever, and digital hiring systems leave applicants feeling frustrated and unseen. A new survey from MyPerfectResume®, a leading resource for resume and career... advice, reveals that 59% of job seekers believe less than a quarter of their applications are reviewed by a human, highlighting growing frustration with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

The Job Search Behavior report, based on insights from over 1,000 U.S. workers who reported job seeking in the last 12 months, highlights the frustrating reality of job searching today. Twenty-seven percent admit to lying on their applications, 42% are applying to jobs they're overqualified for, and 71% are venturing outside their industry in hopes of getting hired.

Key Findings:

Desperation Driving Risky Job Search Behaviors

With opportunities feeling out of reach, job seekers are taking bold risks:

ATS Systems Create a "Black Hole" for Applications

The perception that applications vanish into a digital void is on the rise:

Quick-Apply Tools Fall Short of Expectations

Despite promises of simplicity and speed, LinkedIn's "Easy Apply" and other quick-apply features are failing job seekers:

Career Changes and Overqualification: The New Normal

The competitive job market is pushing applicants to take unconventional paths:

"The rise of ATS and quick-apply features were supposed to make job searching easier, but applicants are feeling more disconnected and less confident that their efforts are being seen," said Jasmine Escalera, career expert at MyPerfectResume. "With ATS systems increasingly filtering applications before any human review, job seekers need to adapt their strategies by optimizing resumes for keyword relevance to improve their chances of getting noticed."

For the complete State of Job Searching Survey report and additional insights, please visit https://www.myperfectresume.com/career-center/careers/basics/job-search-behavior or contact Nathan Barber at nathan.barber@bold.com.

Survey Methodology

The findings were obtained by surveying 1,000 U.S. job seekers on February 5, 2025. The Pollfish survey used a mix of multiple-choice and scale-based questions to assess job application experiences, challenges, and perceptions about hiring processes. In order to qualify for the survey, the respondent had to have reported job searching within the last 12 months.

About MyPerfectResume

MyPerfectResume is the leading resource for resume advice and expert customer care to help professionals elevate their careers with the perfect resume. Created to take the hassle out of resume-writing, the user-friendly program offers professionally crafted templates, expert tips, step-by-step guidance, and valuable career advice to effortlessly create an outstanding resume, CV, and cover letter. Since 2013, MyPerfectResume has helped more than 15 million job seekers create their perfect resumes and has been featured in Forbes, CNBC, and more. Stay connected with MyPerfectResume's latest updates on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X. more

Career development

 18h

6 in 10 Job Seekers Say Their Applications Go Unseen by Humans


New report from MyPerfectResume shows frustration mounting as workers lie on applications, apply outside their Industry and feel invisible.

GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico, March 3, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The job search landscape is tougher than ever, and digital hiring systems leave applicants feeling frustrated and unseen. A new survey from MyPerfectResume®, a leading resource for resume and career... advice, reveals that 59% of job seekers believe less than a quarter of their applications are reviewed by a human, highlighting growing frustration with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

The Job Search Behavior report, based on insights from over 1,000 U.S. workers who reported job seeking in the last 12 months, highlights the frustrating reality of job searching today. Twenty-seven percent admit to lying on their applications, 42% are applying to jobs they're overqualified for, and 71% are venturing outside their industry in hopes of getting hired.

Key Findings:

Desperation Driving Risky Job Search Behaviors

With opportunities feeling out of reach, job seekers are taking bold risks:

ATS Systems Create a "Black Hole" for Applications

The perception that applications vanish into a digital void is on the rise:

Quick-Apply Tools Fall Short of Expectations

Despite promises of simplicity and speed, LinkedIn's "Easy Apply" and other quick-apply features are failing job seekers:

Career Changes and Overqualification: The New Normal

The competitive job market is pushing applicants to take unconventional paths:

"The rise of ATS and quick-apply features were supposed to make job searching easier, but applicants are feeling more disconnected and less confident that their efforts are being seen," said Jasmine Escalera, career expert at MyPerfectResume. "With ATS systems increasingly filtering applications before any human review, job seekers need to adapt their strategies by optimizing resumes for keyword relevance to improve their chances of getting noticed."

For the complete State of Job Searching Survey report and additional insights, please visit https://www.myperfectresume.com/career-center/careers/basics/job-search-behavior or contact Nathan Barber at nathan.barber@bold.com.

Survey Methodology

The findings were obtained by surveying 1,000 U.S. job seekers on February 5, 2025. The Pollfish survey used a mix of multiple-choice and scale-based questions to assess job application experiences, challenges, and perceptions about hiring processes. In order to qualify for the survey, the respondent had to have reported job searching within the last 12 months.

About MyPerfectResume

MyPerfectResume is the leading resource for resume advice and expert customer care to help professionals elevate their careers with the perfect resume. Created to take the hassle out of resume-writing, the user-friendly program offers professionally crafted templates, expert tips, step-by-step guidance, and valuable career advice to effortlessly create an outstanding resume, CV, and cover letter. Since 2013, MyPerfectResume has helped more than 15 million job seekers create their perfect resumes and has been featured in Forbes, CNBC, and more. Stay connected with MyPerfectResume's latest updates on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X.

Media Contact

Nathan Barber, MyPerfectResume, (206) 900-2989, nathan.barber@bold.com, https://www.myperfectresume.com/

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/6-in-10-job-seekers-say-their-applications-go-unseen-by-humans-302389263.html more

Career development

 18h

Social Value at Advance TRS: Supporting Surrey Care Trust Hosting Mock Interviews


At Advance TRS, we are committed to making a positive impact in the communities we serve. As part of our ongoing dedication to social value, two of our team members recently visited Surrey Care Trust in Woking to support individuals looking to work on their employability skills.

On Thursday, 27 February, our team volunteered their time to sit down with candidates who need that little bit of extra... help in preparing for job interviews. For a few hours, our recruitment professionals hosted one-on-one mock interviews, providing valuable insights and guidance to help build confidence and improve interview techniques.

During the session, participants had the opportunity to choose a job scenario relevant to their career aspirations. Taking on the role of hiring managers, our team conducted realistic interview simulations, offering constructive feedback on their performance to both the 'candidate' and their Surrey Care Trust mentors. We covered key interview techniques, including:

Engaging with the community in this way allows us to share our industry expertise and make a real difference in people's lives. By offering professional interview coaching, we aim to bridge the gap between job seekers and employment opportunities, ensuring everyone has the support they need to succeed.

Our Commitment to Social Value at Advance TRS

We are incredibly proud of our team members for taking the time to support this initiative, and we look forward to future collaborations with Surrey Care Trust to continue empowering individuals on their career journeys.

Responsibility at Advance TRS Specialist Recruiters

If you're looking for new career opportunities, browse our latest job listings, here. more

Career development

 18h

Five strategies for improving campus career centers (opinion)


Career services professionals can provide group coaching sessions focused on overcoming impostor syndrome, building confidence and developing a growth mindset.

For decades, work-life balance has been seen as the gold standard of career success. The idea suggests that professionals should allocate time and energy evenly between work and personal life, ensuring equilibrium between competing... responsibilities. But in reality, balance is often an illusion -- an unattainable tightrope walk that leaves individuals feeling guilty, unfulfilled and stretched too thin.

The workforce of today -- and especially the workforce of tomorrow -- no longer aspires to a segmented life. Instead, workers seek career and life integration, a holistic approach where career, personal growth and well-being are deeply interconnected. Unlike the concept of work-life balance, which implies a constant trade-off, career and life integration builds synergy between personal and professional aspirations.

Workday's Global Workforce Report found that employees who perceive their work as meaningful feel 37 percent more accomplished than those who don't, even when facing workloads they describe as "challenging." An Inside Higher Ed Career Advice piece written by a University of Michigan administrator explored the importance of integrating values into the career exploration process. Additionally, research highlighted in the Journal of Personality indicates that young adults' personal values significantly influence their career-related preferences, suggesting a strong desire for roles that reflect their core values.

If higher ed institutions continue to treat career development as separate from personal well-being, they will fail to meet the evolving needs of students and professionals alike. Career centers must evolve into career and life design labs -- hubs of lifelong guidance, personal development and future readiness. This piece outlines five strategic imperatives that institutions must embrace to lead this transformation.

The traditional work-life balance model assumes a strict separation between career and personal life, often emphasizing boundaries rather than synergy. The statistics tell a compelling story:

Campus career services leaders must reframe their approach. Students need tools to design careers that complement their life aspirations rather than forcing them to choose between professional success and personal fulfillment.

Most students and alumni struggle with clarity -- they pursue careers based on external pressures rather than intrinsic motivations. Career centers must facilitate career and life vision workshops to help individuals align their inner purpose with external opportunities. By integrating career and life design principles into career services, institutions empower students to prototype different pathways, develop adaptability and connect their academic and professional lives with personal meaning.

By using a reflective, experiential approach, students learn that career development is not a rigid ladder but a fluid, evolving process.

One of the greatest barriers to success is not external -- it's internal. It is not a lack of skills. It is a lack of confidence, clarity and emotional agility. Many students enter the workforce grappling with impostor syndrome, career anxiety and fear of failure. A research study titled "The Impostor Phenomenon," published in the International Journal of Behavioral Science, shows that over 70 percent of people experience impostor syndrome at some point in their lives.

Institutions must integrate emotional intelligence training into their strategic plans. Students need to learn how to navigate career uncertainty with resilience rather than fear. Instead of merely offering job search strategies, career coaches should incorporate cognitive reframing techniques to help students shift from self-doubt to empowerment. This involves helping students recognize negative thought patterns and replace them with action-oriented mindsets.

For instance, instead of viewing rejection as a failure, students should be encouraged to see it as an iteration in the career and life design process. Career setbacks, industry changes and professional pivots are inevitable.

Practical steps for career centers:

Emotional agility is a core component of career development. Success today isn't about having the perfect career path -- it's about navigating uncertainty with emotional agility. Career services must equip students with resilience and adaptability to thrive in ever-changing industries.

Career and life design should be deeply personal, shaped by self-awareness, curiosity and personal reflection. We mention "personal" first, because we begin with the person.

Career services has historically focused on résumé reviews, job placement and networking strategies -- important elements, but not enough for long-term success. A 2023 report by the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that students who integrate personal development with career planning -- through leadership training, mentorship and values-based exploration -- are significantly more career-ready upon graduation. Rather than pushing students toward the highest-paying or most prestigious jobs, career centers should help them define success on their own terms.

Practical steps for career centers:

While traditional career advising has relied heavily on in-person interactions, the next evolution of career services will be AI-empowered, data-informed and hyperpersonalized. AI-driven career exploration tools can analyze a student's experiences to offer real-time, customized career insights. AI agents such as the 24-7 virtual Career and Life Design Lab provide personalized career simulations, self-actualization exercises and self-realization insights to help individuals align their career paths with their purpose.

This mindset shift in career services will blend AI and human coaching. AI can assist in career trajectory mapping, skills assessment and predictive job market insights, while human coaches focus on deep coaching, the power of stories and career and life integration strategies. This synergy allows for scalable yet deeply personalized career services.

Practical steps for career centers:

The future of work demands continuous upskilling, reskilling and career agility. Institutions must create a culture of lifelong learning, where students and alumni receive ongoing support throughout their careers. Career services must expand their scope to lifelong learning and helping students and alumni develop not résumés, but portfolios of experiences.

Practical steps for career centers:

Conclusion: The New Paradigm

The future of work is not about balance. It is about integration. By embedding the career and life design theoretical framework into institutional frameworks, universities can better equip students for a rapidly changing world. Colleges and universities that fail to adapt will be left behind, while those that embrace career and life design -- leveraging both AI and a holistic approach to personal, career and professional development -- will supercharge their teams with scale and empower students to craft lives of purpose, adaptability and lasting impact.

The question is no longer whether career centers should evolve -- it is whether they can afford not to.

Does your career center offer group coaching sessions focused on confidence building, growth mindset or related topics? Tell us about it. more

Career development

 10h

Indian Techie 'Ghosts' Company Before Interview: Here's Why He Did So


Job hunting can often feel like a one-sided affair, with applicants left in the dark after multiple interviews. Frustrated by the experience, one tech professional decided to turn the tables and ghost a potential employer before an interview -- a move that resonated with many online.

The anonymous job seeker shared his story on Reddit, revealing that after participating in several interviews and... securing one job offer, he reached his breaking point. "Today I ghosted a company for the first time before the interview. This would be my first switch, and I have given 7-8 interviews and currently have one offer," he wrote, explaining his decision. Today I ghosted a company for the first time before interview.byu/Annonymous_7 indevelopersIndia

'HRs Would Ghost Me'

He detailed how recruiters would confirm that he had cleared initial rounds, only to disappear without further communication. "All those HRs would take my interview, tell me I cleared it, and then would ghost me after the first round. Some of them ghosted even after salary negotiation. It was very tiring for me to keep giving interviews and then being ghosted by all these HRs. Only one of them told me that they don't have a requirement anymore. Other HRs just didn't even care to respond," he stated.

In an attempt to get clarity on his job applications, he made repeated follow-ups through calls and emails, often using what he described as "polite mails" to seek an update. However, responses remained elusive.

So, when another company reached out with an interview opportunity, he decided to take a different approach. Before agreeing to the process, he asked whether the company could meet his salary expectations. "I didn't want to ghost this company after scheduling the interview, but she did insist on me giving the interview even after I asked her if they could match my salary expectations. She just told me that first, you need to go through our interview rounds, and based on that, we will see what we can offer. Sorry, but I am not ready to go through the same set of processes again," he explained.

His post struck a chord with many job seekers who have experienced similar frustrations. In an era where job applicants often find themselves left without closure, this techie's decision to reverse the trend sparked conversations on how hiring practices impact candidates. more

Career development

 20h

Indian Techie 'Ghosts' Company Before Interview: Here's Why He Did So


Job hunting can often feel like a one-sided affair, with applicants left in the dark after multiple interviews. Frustrated by the experience, one tech professional decided to turn the tables and ghost a potential employer before an interview -- a move that resonated with many online.

The anonymous job seeker shared his story on Reddit, revealing that after participating in several interviews and... securing one job offer, he reached his breaking point. "Today I ghosted a company for the first time before the interview. This would be my first switch, and I have given 7-8 interviews and currently have one offer," he wrote, explaining his decision.

He detailed how recruiters would confirm that he had cleared initial rounds, only to disappear without further communication. "All those HRs would take my interview, tell me I cleared it, and then would ghost me after the first round. Some of them ghosted even after salary negotiation. It was very tiring for me to keep giving interviews and then being ghosted by all these HRs. Only one of them told me that they don't have a requirement anymore. Other HRs just didn't even care to respond," he stated.

In an attempt to get clarity on his job applications, he made repeated follow-ups through calls and emails, often using what he described as "polite mails" to seek an update. However, responses remained elusive.

So, when another company reached out with an interview opportunity, he decided to take a different approach. Before agreeing to the process, he asked whether the company could meet his salary expectations. "I didn't want to ghost this company after scheduling the interview, but she did insist on me giving the interview even after I asked her if they could match my salary expectations. She just told me that first, you need to go through our interview rounds, and based on that, we will see what we can offer. Sorry, but I am not ready to go through the same set of processes again," he explained.

His post struck a chord with many job seekers who have experienced similar frustrations. In an era where job applicants often find themselves left without closure, this techie's decision to reverse the trend sparked conversations on how hiring practices impact candidates. more

Dorothy Everhart


Career development 6d

really surprised at how many people are posting that they can't find a job right now. It seems like jobs are posted everywhere. Are they looking for something they aren't quite qualified for? Looking for a lot of things that aren't there anymore? Work from Home and it's less prevalent than it was, I just can't figure out why it's so hard but we are currently recruiting now!
3   

  • Daniel Nanjelo

    21h

    Job adverts is one way that rogue companies use to get market visibility and as a SEO strategy

Thulisile Noxolo Radebe
Career development 4d
hello everyone please help here, if I apply for a new job I get called in for interviews in different companies but don't get the job. if you can help me understand what it is that I'm doing wrong.
1   

  • Daniel Nanjelo

    21h

    The reality is that most jobs are awarded majorly based on how strong you are connected to the recruiter and a small percentage on merit and... qualifications.  more

  • Haya Haddad

    1
    4d

    Hi, its not just you. I have had the same issue for the past year! Ghost positions, recuriters filling in numbers for the week. All that factors into... it. Also, I think they have to interview certain number of people for those Ghost positions anyways.  more

    1
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Career development

 22h

Don't slouch, vent or overshare: Do's and don'ts for job interviews


So on that note, so here's your guide to the do's and don'ts of job interviews to help you leave a lasting and positive impression.

Walking into an interview without researching the company is like showing up for an exam you didn't study for. Clarice Kent, a Dubai-based emotional intelligence coach and corporate wellness mentor, stresses the importance of being well-informed: "Check their... website, read recent news, and understand their culture. When you walk in. knowing the company inside out, you immediately stand out. And above all, be crystal clear on the role you're applying for, nothing kills an interview faster than confusion." more