I was listening to a radio chat show yesterday, which I never normally do, but the host was ranting about clichés. Why we use them, what they mean and how they are generally annoying… and let’s face it they really are. We talk in clichés all the time while the person we happen to be talking to grits his teeth and pretends to understand what the hell it is you’re talking about. It definitely bugs the hell outta me! In no social situation is talking in clichés acceptable, but there is one situation that you should avoid using them at all costs – the job interview.

Did you know that most bosses would turn your job application down immediately if they so much as hear a cliché? Well, very specific ones anyway. The reason for this is that they hate bullshit, pure and simple. Clichés definitely fall into the bullshit category, but there are ten you should never ever use. Reading between the lines, they reflect badly on you.

Check out the list and be sure to mark them “DO NOT USE” in the deep dark depths of your memory!

• “At the end of the day…” – The worst cliché in any walk of life! At the end of the day, if you use this in a job interview then the likelihood is that you’re struggling for an answer are looking to ram a point home about your suitability and can’t think of a more eloquent way of putting it, or are just plain bullshitting. Most people use this one in an argument when they think they’re landing the winning punch. It usually turns out that they’re wrong and have no idea what they’re talking about. Now, do you really want to say it in an interview.
• Any other tired old local clichés – The best advice is to stay well away from clichés that are used in the local area because your potential boss will probably have heard them all before and be tired of them. In fact, just stay away from clichés full stop. If you want to come across as sophisticated and professional, slang and clichés will do you no favors at all!
• “Well…” – Well…? Well what? If that one word is followed by a major pause then you’re screwed. Plain and simple!
• “I always try my best…” – And? So you try your best but that doesn’t get results. Bosses don’t want a hard worker, they want a hard worker that translates into sales or whatever the job you’re going for says you have to get. The only time to say this in an interview is if it’s followed by “… and I revolutionized the last place I worked for as a result”. Your hard work has to count for something because if it doesn’t, you’re just a loser that slogs his guts out for nothing.
• “I like to work with people…” – Errr, doh! Unless you’re working in a dog rescue centre or alone in a lab then this is just going to make you look stupid. You work with people everywhere you go so don’t state the obvious. Oh, and “I’m a people person” also falls under this category so don’t even think about using that one either.
• “Thanks for inviting me…” You sent in an application! You solicited the invite yourself so don’t patronize the person interviewing you by making it sound like you were asked to go because they found you. If ever there was a phrase to incite instant failure in an interview, this is it. Try “thank you for having me” instead. So much more appreciative.
• “It’s all about the money…” – This is the one reason that you shouldn’t give for wanting any job. Career prospects, a new challenge and because of the company’s reputation sound so much better. Even if it is the truth, you never ever say it out loud.
• “I don’t know” – So you’re asked a question and you have no clue what the answer is. Instead of trying to answer and failing miserably, you take the easy route and own up. You say that you don’t know. Big mistake! Never admit to not knowing the answer to a question in such curt terms. If you don’t know something, shrugging and looking like an idiot is not an option. “I’m not sure” sounds so much better because it sounds like you could know given half a chance.
• “Practice makes perfect…” – You know it does, they know it does, we all know it does. This also makes you sound like an idiot because it’s one of the oldest clichés in the book and because it usually stops the conversation dead in its tracks. Hardly makes you memorable, does it?
• “I’m the best person for this job…” – And? This is another one of those that should be followed by something like “…because I’ve had relevant experience in previous jobs like… etc, etc”. It isn’t a sentence you want to utter without backing it up, but even then how do you know that? Have you met everyone else going for the job? No you haven’t so you’re arrogant and conceited instead. Nice one!