What you should never say at an interview...

Written by Goh Mei Yi - 13 September 2006

If you have a tendency to say the wrong thing at the wrong time, this article is for you. Every single word you utter during an interview gives your potential employer an insight to your character and your thoughts, so choose your words carefully.


"I left my last job because my boss was an idiot"

Bad-mouthing your previous employer is probably the stupidest thing you can do during an interview. No matter how much you detest your boss, give a more positive answer.

Suggestion: Say you left to look for more responsibility, greater opportunity for advancement, or it was time for a change. Keep your opinions about your ex-boss to yourself.


"I'll take whatever you can pay"

Don't say it if you don't mean it. The interview is a chance for you to find out what salary the company is willing to pay and for the interviewers to decide how much you're worth and what amount you're asking for.

Suggestion: If you're not sure, give a wide range. Do research about what similar jobs pay before the interview.


"I can't wait to use the staff benefits"

If you think this is a witty way to end an interview, think again! You'll look as if you're joining the company for the free perks and not because you want the job.

Suggestion: Why not mention that you can't wait to try out your ideas instead? It sounds more professional and gives them more reason to hire you.


"I was given a 12-month bonus"

If you didn't get it, don't say it. Someday, somewhere, someone will find out that you were lying and you'll live to regret it. Interviewers expect a little exaggeration about your accomplishments during an interview, but not blatant lies.

Suggestion: Always tell the truth. You can keep up a charade for only so long and employers have a way of finding out things.


"My short-term goal is to clear my credit card debt"

While it may be true, your would-be employers don't need to know. When asked about your five-year goal, they want an answer that relates to the company. Even if you don't plan to stay so long, say something that reflects a commitment to the job and the company.

Suggestion: I see myself in a position at least two levels higher than this job I'm applying for.


"My dog died and I can't get over it"

Even if your interviewer brings up his personal life to lighten the mood, don't take it as a green light to pour out your woes. You may think you're bonding with your interviewer, but it just comes across as unprofessional.

Suggestion: If you interviewer asks about your pet, just say your beloved pooch passed away at a ripe old age and leave it at that. Keep the conversation businesslike and professional.

Free Resume Template For Electronic Engineering Jobs

In case you don't know, I am currently working as an electronic engineer in a semiconductor company. So the first free resume template I am going to post on my blog is naturally going to be for those applying for electronic engineering jobs.

This resume is constructed more for those fresh graduates in mind. The format is in ms word doc form and you can edit it in any way that you want. Remember to include all your areas of strength and expertise inside the resume, the more the merrier!

Resume Template for Electronics Engineer (Entry Level)

Your Resume Must Tell Employers What They Want to Know

When you attempt to craft a resume, there is always the danger that you will fall in love with your own creation. While it stands to reason that you would want to produce a resume that reads well to you, your opinion doesn’t count as much as a prospective employer’s viewpoint.

As a result, it is vitally important that you turn out a resume that tells employers exactly what they want to know. If your resume is deficient in any way…if it fails to inform a recruiting manager where you worked, how long you worked there, what your educational background is, what skills you possess, and your general qualifications for a specific position…your resume will quickly end up in the waste bin.

Don’t Depend on the Interview to Make Up for Problems With Your Resume

A number of job-seekers are satisfied with producing a resume that’s less than perfect because they hold out the hope that they can make up for their resume’s flaws through a stellar performance during a job interview. The problem with this line of thinking is that, unless your resume is top-notch, it is unlikely that you will be selected for any interview at all. Therefore, it pays to devote time and attention to fine-tuning your resume so that it meets the needs of prospective employers.

Put Yourself in the Employer’s Place

In order to write an effective resume, you need to put yourself in the place of the hiring manager. The employer’s eyes may be glazing over from all the resumes he or she has had to review. As a result, the employer is probably skimming through the stack looking for potential employees who fit some key criteria: the criteria being that they will perform the job effectively and efficiently; they will benefit the company; and they will be dedicated to their position.

Be Sure to Cover the Basics

While it is certainly wise to make your resume as brief as you possibly can, it is critically important that you include the basic information a prospective employer wants to know. You might be surprised at the fact that a number of job-seekers forget to include their e-mail addresses or cell phone numbers—two key ways for employers to get in touch with them. Also, be sure to include your snail-mail address, in case the employer needs you to fill out an application or a survey.

Your resume should include a complete job history (at least, post-college), information about skills you have that are applicable to the job you’re applying for, a list of the degrees you’ve earned and the colleges, universities, and relevant training programs you’ve attended, and your references. A prospective employer wants to know what your references have to say about you—he or she doesn’t want to take the time to call you and track down names and phone numbers at the last minute. The more complete the information you provide about your references, the better. Providing reference information as an addendum to your resume is a positive option.

Indicate Why Your Candidacy is Special

Once you’ve covered the basics, it’s highly important that you provide the employer with information that will distinguish your candidacy from the rest of the job applicants. If your resume is overly broad in focus, it will not attract the interest of a corporate recruiter. Instead, consider narrowing your focus by including information about special skill sets you possess, leadership roles you’ve held, and evidence of your team-building abilities. This information, like the rest of the information on your resume, must be presented in a clear, concise manner—otherwise, the employer will simply move onto the next resume.

Don’t Forget the Profile

Employers are definitely interested in your key accomplishments, evidence of your professionalism and your pursuit of excellence. These achievements can be easily encapsulated in a profile section at the beginning of your resume. Recruiters can read through the profile quickly, giving them an immediate impression of your suitability for the position that’s been advertised.

What Employers Don’t Want to Know

It is also important to pay some attention to what employers don’t want to know—or, at least, what they would prefer not to read on your resume. While each prospective employer is unique, there are certain common viewpoints that most share when it comes to resume appraisal. In an effort to set themselves apart from the pack of other job applicants, a number of job-seekers make the mistake of making their resumes “too personal.” For instance, one individual who was seeking a position in government tried to portray himself in a unique light by including the names of his three dogs. Rather than making him appear intriguing, his decision to include dog news on his resume proved to be a deal-ender. Also, for the most part, your resume does not need to explain in detail why you left a particular position. You can leave the discussion of that for the eventual job interview. It is far better to talk about the pitfalls in your job history in person rather than to try to explain them on paper.

The Intangibles

There are certain intangibles that employers want to know about you—information that you can convey in your resume. For instance, by proofreading your resume carefully and making sure that it is error-free, you are showing a prospective employer that you have a keen eye for detail. By presenting your resume in a professional, easy-to-read manner, you are demonstrating that you have excellent written communication skills. By listing your community and volunteer activities, you show an employer that you have a sense of commitment to bettering the world around you. These intangibles can often determine whether or not you are called in for an interview—or whether your resume is kept on file—never to be seen again.

About The Author
Anna Jones This article was written by the certified professional resume writers of Resume Service (http://www.AccuroResumes.com/). The writers at AccuroResumes will help create a perfect professional resume suited to your best needs. See why thousands of people are discovering the benefits of a perfect professional resume written by AccuroResumes.com. You are guaranteed to be 100% satisfied with your new, professional resume or, your money back. Reproductions of this article are encouraged, but must include a link pointing to http://www.AccuroResumes.com/.