Job interviews are stressful, there’s no doubt about it. And it can be strange to talk more formally than you normally would in order to make a good impression. But as difficult as it may be, you’ll want to avoid these 10 self-sabotaging words at all costs if you want to land your next job.

Um…

You may not be aware of how much you actually use this word, but you should try your best not to say “um” too much in a job interview. It makes you look less polished and more unprepared.

Kinda

This word makes you sound young and vague in an interview. Use definitive answers like “yes” or “no.”

Hate

When a hiring manager hears you say “hate,” they may think that you’re a high risk candidate, and that’s not something you want to be.

Perfectionist

According to Lifehack, this is the “most popular among overused, meaningless cliches.” This word used to be a good way to get out of the question about your weakness, but nowadays, the interviewer will see right through the tactic.

Amazing

This is a word which is often used as a filler to convey positivity. The hiring manager might say, for example, “We just spent $20 million on a brand new office fit-out.”
Instead of blurting out “Amazing!” to validate that choice, take a moment to think about the reasons behind such a move and provide analysis which the interviewer would find relevant. For example: “That must have done wonders for employee satisfaction.”

Whatever

This word makes you sound immature and dismissive, so using it won’t do you any favors.

Stuff

The word “stuff” is too casual in tone for an interview and also makes your answers sound ambiguous. For example, when you say, “I did [this], and stuff like that,” the interviewer will want to know specifics. “Stuff like that” just won’t cut it.

Dedicated

Being dedicated is an expectation, not a quality that differentiates you from others. So prove that you are a dedicated worker by instead talking about your achievements.

Learn

Don’t tell the interviewer that you’re applying to a job to “learn.” It’s expected that you will learn on the job, but they don’t want to hear that that’s your reason for applying. They want to hear that you want to contribute to their company in ways that others can’t.

Fired

This is a word to be avoided at all costs. It can put it into the interviewer’s mind that you’re a troublemaker and will put a negative tone onto the interview. Here’s what Lifehack recommends:

If you were fired due to under-performance, use the words “let go” instead. Explain how you used the experience to become a better employee. “I’m glad it happened because I needed to become a better marketer. In my next role I created a direct response campaign which exceeded the targets by 20%.”

Thanks to Lifehack for the tips!