Where to Draw the Line in a Job Interview

In a job interview you will be faced with quite a few personal questions, questions which you must answer in the utmost professional manner. This means that you answer each question as best as you can and don’t go into too much detail. Most questions you are asked in a job interview will be for the interviewer to determine how experienced you are and whether or not you would suit the job. There will be no need for the job interviewer to ask any personal information which is not related to the job and the candidate does not have to give any personal information away that they do not want to. The candidate must always remember not to give too much personal and private information away as this could end up doing more harm than good and could jeopardise the candidates chance of getting the job which they are interviewing for. It is important to draw the line in any job interview of where to keep your work life and your personal life separate. We have looked into the several topic areas which you must not talk about in a job interview.

How Your Last Job Came to an End

You do not need to explain about how your last job came to an end. It may be an unpleasant story, therefore this is one that should be completely personal to yourself and you do not need to give out any further information than the company you previously worked for and the role which you had in this former job role, all of which will be on your CV for the interviewer to look at. If they do ask this question you could respond with the fact that you wanted to further your career and climb your career ladder to a higher step.

Opinions About Former Managers and Colleagues

You must not discuss your feeling’s towards former managers and colleagues as this may jeopardise your application. If you are considered for the job role you are applying to, then the company will more than likely ask your former manager for a reference to support your application. If you speak in a negative way about those you used to work for or with in your previous job then it is highly unlikely that you will be accepted for this job role.

Financial Issues

At the end of they day we all need a job to support us in the lives we want to live. Jobs help us put a roof over our heads, food in our mouths and also help build a family in the future. Salary is an important factor when applying for any job, but you must never make out that this is the reason you are applying for the job. You will want to present yourself as being passionate about the job role, rather than saying that you need the job for the salary you will earn. If you are currently experiencing financial issues in your life you must never speak about this topic in a job interview as it will only make the interviewer worry about employing someone who currently has money issues in their life.

Legal Troubles

If you are in any form of legal trouble, you will not want to speak out loud about this in your job interview. Having any type of legal issues will instantly make the interviewer worry so this should not be mentioned as you will more than likely not be accepted for the job position you are applying for.

Relationship Issues

You may speak about your relationship in terms of moving to a different town and you are applying for a job role which would be suited to both you and your partner’s needs, however you do not need to go into any more detail than this regarding your relationship. Some candidates may be having to apply for a job as they need to support themselves after breaking up with a partner, however the interviewer does not need to know this information and it could only show a sign of weakness. Job interviewers are looking for a stable candidate who would be well suited to the job role not one that may be taking time out of their job to try and make up with a partner or be late for work due to a relationship issue.

Family Plans

You do not need to go into any detail to your job interviewer about family plans, especially as a female. Of course we may all want to start a family one day, but if you mention in a job interview that you are planning on starting a family in a few months time then they may choose a different candidate over yourself who has not mentioned any plans of starting a family or has not given this information out which would be the correct thing to do in this situation.

Illnesses and Injuries

Keep all illnesses and injuries personal to yourself. If you speak about the amount of time off you have had from work due to an illness or injury then you are highly unlikely to be hired due to this reason. The interviewer is not looking for someone who takes a lot of time off work as they will need someone able to work the hours stated on the application. If this is an ongoing illness or injury then you may need to reconsider a part time job or one which suit’s your current situation.

Debbie Burbage’s Tips

At Debbie Burbage our main tip is to keep all answers job related and do not go into detail about your personal life. The main objective is to gather further information about yourself to see if you are suitable for the job role. Emphasise this by speaking positively about the job role and ensuring the interviewer how passionate you are.

 

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