Details You Shouldn’t Share!
Sometimes our willingness to “keep it real” during an interview can lead to unconsciously overexposing too much details about our personal lives that could serve to hurt rather than help us get the job offer. Although we’re never 100% sure what type of candidate the employer is looking to fill the job it’s always a good strategy for us to to get prepared to handle those landmine questions frequently asked by managers to discover any potential weaknesses. Below are 3 personal experiences you should carefully consider before your next interview.
Unstable Personal Life (Relationships), we all experience personal conflicts with people in our lives at one point or another but leaking negative details over a recent divorce, restraining order, or volatile spouse issues during an interview could be perceived as personal instability that can interfere with your work performance in the long run. Remember, employers are looking for candidates that are going to help them reach goals and grow the business so if you’re going to share experiences about you personal life make sure to keep them light and appropriate.
Financial Problems, it’s no secret that financial compensation one of the main reasons you need a job but laying out all of your financial distress isn’t going to earn you any brownie points or sympathy during an interview. Too many details about how you’re about to lose everything if you don’t get hired will cause some managers to question your organizational skills and doubts over your ability to handle the business finances.
Legal Problems, this is a tricky one because you never know exactly what the employer(s) will be investigating during a background check. Don’t offer this information up freely in anticipation of what you think might show up on the investigation. Give yourself a chance to be fair evaluated as a potential employee and wait until you’re asked to provide details about any legal issues during the hiring process. Focus your responses on highlighting your strengths and individual attributes that make you the perfect candidate for the job.
Can you think of any other topics of discussion that can eventually lead to deal breakers without carefully plan out responses? Please feel free to share.
This is so spot on, Marcus! During a job search, you want to put your best foot forward while giving an employer a good picture of who you really are and that can be a complicated tightrope to try and walk. I would also add sharing political views to this list. Even in normal conversation with friends or acquaintances, politics can be a hit or miss topic. Don't risk potentially offending your hiring manager or making them uncomfortable by announcing your political views or allegiances.