Job Interview FAIL What You Should NEVER Say

In today’s article, I want to talk about what not to say during a job interview, and what can easily ruin your chances if you’re not careful.

I’m Alex, a UK Chartered Engineer, European Engineer, and Certified Career Coach for Engineers.

I’ve personally gone through over 50 interviews and have conducted over 100 interviews myself as a hiring manager, so I have plenty of real experience to share with you.

Let’s start with the first big mistake, bringing up salary too early. I’m not talking about the moment when the interviewer asks you about your salary expectations. I mean when you start talking about money before being asked.

Here’s a real example. I was interviewing a candidate, and right at the start of the call, he interrupted me and said, “Let’s be clear, I want no less than $5,000 a month, otherwise there’s nothing to discuss.” I wished him the best and ended the call.

Salary negotiations are a separate conversation. If you’re interested in a full guide on how to negotiate salary, leave a comment and like this article, I’ll definitely make one.

The second mistake is asking too soon about personal benefits. Questions like “What bonus will I get?”, “How many vacation days are there?”, “Will I have to work overtime?”, or “Do you cover housing?” may seem important, but these are not questions for the first interview.



Save them for a later stage, once you’ve passed the technical or HR rounds and have a real offer on the table.

When you focus too much on benefits in the beginning, it sends the message that you’re more interested in the perks than in the job itself. Even if that’s true, and let’s be honest, for many people it is, it’s not the first impression you want to give. Employers want to see that you’re motivated by the work and the opportunity to contribute.

Instead, ask about the company’s current projects, the challenges they’re working on, and how you can help solve them. Show genuine curiosity and engagement with the role and the organization.

Next, never speak badly about your previous employers, colleagues, or companies.

It’s very common for interviewers to ask, “Why did you leave your last job?”, and it’s critical to give a positive, professional answer that focuses on you, not on blaming others.

Don’t say things like “My manager was terrible”, “My coworkers were annoying”, or “The company was a mess, they always delayed salaries and never invested in people”. Even if that’s true, that’s not the place or time to share it.

The message is clear: when you complain about others, people don’t see you as a victim, they may see you as the problem.

Another topic to be careful with is your health.

If you have a serious medical condition, of course, you must disclose it honestly, especially if the role involves a formal medical examination. But don’t start the interview by listing your health concerns.

Imagine this scenario: you quit your job, move to another country, and then fail the medical exam because you hid a health issue. And “I thought maybe it would be fine” is not a good excuse.

By the way, if you’re considering an international career and want to know more, there’s a link below.

Now, many companies hire people with various medical conditions. For example, one of my colleagues had some health problems. He disclosed them during the medical exam while still in his home country. They examined him, reviewed everything, and confirmed he was fit for duty.

But if he had said during the interview, “By the way, I might not pass the medical examination because I have this problem”, the company could have selected another candidate. However, he was already selected, signed the offer, and completed the background checks.

Of course, every case is unique, but the general rule is simple: don’t talk about medical issues in your job interview unless the job requires it at that point.

Another topic you shouldn’t bring up too early is career progression or role changes.

Questions like “How quickly can I get promoted?” can give the impression that you’re not really interested in the role being offered. It’s better to discuss growth and development later in the process, once you’ve demonstrated that you’re the right person for the current position.

And never say that you’re just looking at the job as a temporary option until something better comes along. Companies want people who are committed. Hiring is expensive and time-consuming, so they want someone who’s going to stay.

A common question in interviews is, “How long do you see yourself working with us?” Even if you’re not sure, always say you’re looking for a long-term, permanent position. Say you’d be happy to grow within the company and stay as long as possible.

Finally, don’t start listing your bad habits or weaknesses in a way that makes you sound unprofessional.

You might get asked, “What are your weaknesses?”, and this is a tricky question. Never say things like “I smoke”, “I drink alcohol”, “I’m very slow”, or “I have low productivity”.



Don’t bring up past addictions or personal issues unless specifically required, and even then be very careful.

Instead, show how you’ve worked on yourself. For example, you can say something like, “Public speaking used to be a weakness for me. I was always nervous. But recently I’ve taken a few training sessions, and now I feel much more confident speaking in front of others.”

Candidates should also avoid statements that make the employer question their motivation or professionalism, as such mistakes can cost them valuable jobs opportunities.