Leave this Info Out of Interview

July 10, 2008 on 4:13 pm | In Job Interview |

If there is one quality that distinguishes good interviewees to the not-so good ones, it is the compulsion to announce to the whole world unnecessary and seemingly endless details of their private lives: an adventure with tribesmen in some exotic country in Africa, intolerance for snoring people, preoccupation with psychoanalyzing stupid people, obsession with the color black, dislike for Republicans, and many more. In typical interviews, many interviewees can’t just suppress the strong urge to say too much information (TMI). After all, while they have the interviewers’ attention, they feel that they must get everything out on the table.

To say or not to say?

When you declare during an interview you’re the chairperson of Britney Spears fan’s club or an admirer of the works of Karl Marx, don’t expect a second interview. Before you know it, your job application has already been fed to the paper shredder. According to career advancement expert Linda Lopeke, saying something that unwittingly pushed the hiring manager’s hot buttons only makes him or her see you as not suited for the job. She adds, “You always want to leave them wanting just a little bit more of you…Employers are looking to hire people who generate goodwill for the company and who make a good first impression on those they meet.”

Go ahead

So what information must be shared and which ones are better left unsaid? Information about your goals in life is a must. It is alright to say to the interviewer what you want in your life and how are you going to achieve it. You can also share your personal and professional development. Your greatest career highlights can be shared, but you must not exaggerate your achievements as this will turn the interviewer off. Interviewers want to know what motivates and excites you, what made you decide to become part of the industry, and why are you so enthusiastic about the job.

Be very cautious

There are some information that you need to talk about with caution. Talking about your trip to New Delhi or Buenos Aires might be OK, just make sure that everything you say is related to the company. For instance, if you know that the potential employer supports World Vision and you went to the exact place where the organization had a major charity activity to help poor children, it could work in your advantage. You should refrain if you’re only going to brag about how much you enjoyed riding the Gondola.

You may also want to disclose that you have allergies if you know that the interviewer is allergic to some things, too. This could be a good bonding moment. However, don’t ever announce that you’re allergic to incompetent people as this will make you look arrogant. In addition, a chat about your dog or cat is not a problem, but talking about your boa constrictor or alligator may cause a serious issue.

Leave this out

Don’t delve into topics like religion, politics, lifestyle choices, or family plans. Talking about your stand in same-sex marriage, contraceptives, the war in Iraq, and racial discrimination is sure to turn the interviewer off. You should also refrain from endless name dropping. Sure, you can name drop for building rapport, but there is a danger. According to Lopeke, “While you may know certain people who work for the company already, you don’t always know how they are perceived by their employer…If they’re on the hit list for any reason, you could be painted with that ‘birds of a feather’ brush instead of being evaluated on your own merit.”

Furthermore, you must not talk about your health history. During your interview, you must position yourself as reliable and dependable. Also stay away from discussing melodramatic house problems or rehab trips since interviewers don’t care about your personal life unless it is related to the company and the job you’re applying for. Finally, don’t talk about how you detest your previous employer. Bear in mind that no potential boss wants to hear “my boss is evil” stories. They won’t like you for it.

Less is more

Overall, you have to learn to keep irrelevant information yourself. As we all know, response to the interviewer’s question should be straightforward, without the flavor and color of irrelevant details. Every word and every sentence that come out of your mouth should be related to what the hiring staff is asking. Remember this: LESS IS MORE.