How to nail your interview (10 Things Not to Say)
“The world wants you to be vanilla. They will always push you to look and act the same as everyone else.” – Ramit Sethi
Why it works
Ramit Sethi (pictured) is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, and media personality. He rose to fame with his 2009 book I Will Teach You to Be Rich, a no-nonsense guide to personal finance that became a NYT bestseller. In 2021, he launched a podcast by the same name, and in 2023, he brought his practical advice to a wider audience with a Netflix series.
While Sethi is best known for his insights on wealth and personal finance, his advice goes far beyond money. He teaches how to navigate high-stakes conversations — including job interviews — with confidence, clarity, and strategy. His approach to job interviews is simple but powerful: think like the interviewer, prepare intentional answers, and never sound generic.
Based on this mindset, here are 10 things not to say in your next job interview — and what to say instead.
How to do it
1) “I’m open to anything.”
It shows you lack focus and direction. Instead, say “I’m particularly interested in this role because it aligns with my expertise in [specific skill or industry]”. Clarity and direction always beat vague enthusiasm.
2) “I don’t know much about your company.”
It signals a lack of preparation and interest. Instead, say “I was impressed by [company initiative], and I’d love to learn more about how this role contributes”. A little research shows that you care and are serious about the job.
3) “I don’t have any weaknesses.”
It makes you appear dishonest or lack self-awareness. Instead, say “I’ve been working on improving [skill] by [specific action], and it’s made a real difference”. Honest reflection is more impressive than fake perfection.
4) “How soon can I get promoted?”
It shows you’re already looking past the role. Instead, ask “What does success look like in this role, and how does success get measured?”. It demonstrates that you’re focused on adding value before climbing up.
5) “I’m a perfectionist.”
It’s overused and lacks authenticity. Instead, say “I hold myself to high standards, but I’ve learned to balance quality with efficiency by setting clear priorities”.Specifics always sound stronger than clichés.
6) “I left my last job because I couldn’t stand my boss.”
It raises red flags about professionalism. Instead, say “I was looking for a role that offers [specific opportunity, e.g., leadership growth, strategic impact], which is why I’m excited about this position.” Stay positive, even when explaining past challenges.
7) “I prefer to work alone.”
It suggests potential team challenges. Instead, say “I’m effective independently but also thrive on collaborating to achieve bigger goals”. It shows that you’re flexible, not fixed in your ways.
8) “What’s the salary?” (as the first question)
It makes money seem like your only motivation. Instead, say “I’d love to learn more about the role and expectations. Could you share how the company approaches compensation and career growth?” Lead with adding value. The money talk can come later.
9) “My time management isn’t my strong suit.”
It highlights unfixed weaknesses. Instead, say “I’ve been refining my time management by using [specific tool or strategy], which has helped me stay ahead of deadlines.” This reframes challenges as areas you’ve already improved.
10) “I don’t have any questions.”
It shows a lack of genuine interest. Instead, say “What are the biggest challenges for someone stepping into this position?” Good questions leave a lasting impression.
Interviews are conversations, not interrogations.
The right words build confidence. The right answers open doors.
And the right mindset changes everything.