A CEO has revealed her three golden rules for what not to say during a job interview - including revealing the true reason you no longer work for a past company.
American journalist and author Suzy Welch, who also teaches at NYU’s Stern School of Business, is the CEO of The Becoming You Lab - a methodology and program created to help people discover their purpose in life.
In a new article for CNBC Make It, the businesswoman discussed three comments she believes are ‘red flags’ when it comes to job interviews.
Don’t talk about future business plans
The first thing Welch believed you should avoid telling any potential employer is the fact that you want to become an entrepreneur yourself.
She claimed that the phrase ‘I want to start my own business someday’, sounds like you’re ‘planning your exit before you even walk through the door’.
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“At most companies, executives agree new hires start making financial sense after about three years.
“If you signal that your plan is to leave and launch your own thing, most companies won’t want to take that bet.”
Instead of telling your boss-to-be that you want to be the head of the company, Suzy advises you ‘reframe’ the response differently.
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Her improved statement read: “My career goal is to rise to a leadership position, manifesting my ambition and initiative — right here at your company.”
Keep ‘work-life balance’ thoughts under wraps
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Another admission that Suzy claimed got her back up in interviews was that you ‘value work-life balance'.
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“Yes, this is something just about every employee wants in their daily lives — But if you say this is your top priority, you’ll instantly disqualify yourself, at least in the eyes of many hiring managers,” the expert revealed.
“Companies want to know that you’re motivated, that you want to win, and that your goals align with theirs. Productivity and passion matter.”
Instead, she advised you tell your interviewer you care about ‘well-being, but I’m most driven by growth, excellence, and being part of a high-performing team’.
Don’t speak about past layoffs
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The third and final thing the acclaimed researcher wants you to stop telling people is the fact that you were made redundant.
According to Suzy, this confession indicates that you were perhaps not one of your past company’s best performers, which is why you lost your job rather than being shunted somewhere else.
Of course, that’s not always the case, but the phrase ‘I was laid off’ can apparently speak volumes.
“You need to explain your situation in more nuanced detail, signalling that you know what they’re thinking,” the business mind continued.
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“For instance, you might explain that your company was getting out of a certain business line entirely, and thus your skills no longer applied elsewhere in the newfangled enterprise.”
Ella Scott