After long hours spent sending out your resume to companies, they finally got in touch with you and invited you for the Interview you’ve been waiting for. It’s exciting yet nerve-wracking at the same time. How do you plan on giving a great vis-a-vis the first impression?

Do know that you’re not the only applicant the HR officer invited for an interview so be ready to put your competitive character on. The very moment you enter the company’s premises is the start of your hiring process: from the way you present yourself to the receptionist to the way you sit down and talk in the interview room.

All your research, well-prepared resume, and fit for the occasion attire will be for nothing if you don’t present yourself well in the interview. And by this, we imply your communication skills. Conquer your nerves and prevent yourself from spitting out unnecessary and unappealing words that could surely put off the interviewer.

If you want to increase your odds of acing the job interview, avoid uttering these words:

“Whatever”

You’re applying for a job. The use of the word “whatever” will do you no good and instead, it can hurt your current standing during the interview. “Whatever” isn’t a professional term you substitute for the message you intend to tell across. Be more particular. Think and form the right words to express what’s on your mind. Don’t be lazy and just say “whatever.”

“Basically”

The word “basically” has become misused and abused since we can remember. In this day and age, the word weighs alongside “actually” and “literally.” It’s become a filler word.

Using it once in an interview may sound alright but using it repeatedly will only make you sound like a teenager who basically implies ambiguity when they start their sentences with the word. This only causes to raise more questions that are otherwise not on the table. Train your consciousness to prevent using the word before you speak out.

Any other buzzwords

And the list goes on. Buzzwords like these may sound okay on paper (but still, avoid as much as possible) when you write them in your cover letter. However, saying it out loud in an interview will make you sound as if you don’t know what you’re saying and just throw out these resume jargons to impress the hiring personnel.

It doesn’t make look more knowledgeable than the other candidates. If you really want to stand out, opt to use straightforward words and phrases that effectively convey your experiences, leadership strategy, passion, and knowledge of the job responsibility.

“Like,” “Umm,” “Y’know,” “Uhh”

Filler words are the worst hence, prevent yourself from spitting out such words at all costs. Inserting filler words in your sentences makes you appear unsure of what you’re saying; it indicates unpreparedness. This will certainly make an impression on the interviewer, one that is negative.

Instead of using fillers to give time for you to think and form the right words to say, take your time. Pause and think for a quick second whenever you need time to think before you answer a question.

“Yeah”, “Nah”, “Nope”

No matter how casual the interview is, don’t feel too comfortable and confident that it strips away your professionalism. In this setting, always maintain formality and this extends to as simple as saying “yes” and “no.” Your interviewer isn’t your friend and employment is on the line here. Being well-spoken is a must, don’t you think? (Yeah! Yes!)

“Stuff” and “Things”

You can’t just throw out the words “stuff” and “things” in Job Interview willy-nilly. Say these and face negative assumption and impression towards you. Be specific and speak out your thoughts comprehensively. Describe your thoughts with specific words, not with other “stuff”.

Job interviews are nerve-wracking. It’s important to conduct preparation and maintain self-awareness of how you look, speak, and present yourself before, during, and after the interview process.

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