5 Cliché Statements Interviewers Are Tired Of Hearing

Job interviews can be nerve-wracking even for the most seasoned professionals. To boost their confidence, candidates often prepare and memorize answers to the usual interview questions, like “Where do you see yourself in five years?” or “What is your greatest professional strength?”

While there’s nothing wrong with thorough preparation, you don’t want to come off as robotic or like you’re giving a cliché answer.

Here is what to avoid;

1. I am a team player

The most common question to this answer is ; How well do you work with others?

Employers expect you to give them a positive answer—what sets you apart from others, however, is how you word that answer. Calling yourself a “team player” or a “people person” no longer cuts it, and often, is seen as overdone and lazy. Instead, recount a story for the interviewer about how you overcame a challenge by working as a part of a team.

2. I’m hardworking

This is the perfect answer to the ‘Why should we hire you?’ question right? Wrong!

While this is one of the most common responses, it has zero emotional appeal.

Instead of using this line, illustrate it by using examples from your previous work experience. You might, for instance, say ‘I’m results-oriented, while I was working at …’

3: I’m a workaholic

When the interviewer asks you what your greatest weakness is, you should keep away from calling yourself a workaholic. This is another common phrase that has lost its emotional appeal.

This is one of the questions that determine if the employer will seriously consider you or not. You should not incriminate yourself with your weaknesses, but neither should you flip the script and talk about your strengths.

If for instance, you’re being interviewed for an accounting position, you can say something like ‘I’m not good at speaking in meetings or in public…’ and then proceed to talk about how you’re working to overcome these weaknesses.

4: I’m open to anything

Never ever be open to anything while in an interview. There are two ways this statement can be interpreted by the interviewer; one, you don’t know what position would be applicable to you. Two, you’re okay if you have the job or not. While you should never despairingly beg for the job, you should not look like you’re indifferent about getting the job.

Always act interested in filling the position, and phrase your words in the future tense, picturing yourself in the company already.

5: I’m perfect for this position

This is another commonly used phrase. Some interviewees go as far as terming it severally through the interview.

The interviewer called you in for the interview because they were impressed with your CV and thinks you could potentially fit the position.

When you feel like this is the answer you want to give, change it to something like ‘I Know this organization is into farming/philanthropy/beauty products…’ then talk about how important the field they’re in is to you. To phrase it otherwise, you’re telling them why you’ll fit into the company and specific position.

There’s an art to selling yourself. You want to come off as unique and memorable amongst all the candidates. The golden rule to answering most questions in an interview is to show, not to tell.

If you’d like more personalized training on how to ace any interview, you can book an interview coaching session with an experienced expert.