8 Things You Should Never Do in a Job Interview (and What to Do Instead)

Job interviews can be stressful—even more so when you're excited about the role and want to make a strong first impression. To help you show up as your best self, we asked hiring managers from a range of industries to share the most common interview mistakes they see— and how to avoid them.

Here are seven things you should never do in a job interview, plus tips on what to do instead.

1. Show up late

Interview times are carefully scheduled to work around everyone’s availability, so punctuality matters. Running late — even by a few minutes — can suggest a lack of preparation or seriousness about the opportunity.

Of course, unexpected things happen. If you're delayed, reach out to your recruiter or contact as soon as possible. A quick heads-up shows respect and professionalism and may give them time to adjust the schedule if needed.

Pro tip: Block off time before your interview to double-check your tech setup and settle your nerves. Being ready early is always better than scrambling at the last minute.

2. Speak negatively about a past job or employer

You may have good reasons for leaving your last role, but resist the urge to vent. Speaking poorly about former managers, companies, or coworkers can reflect more on you than on them.

Instead, frame your experience in a positive light. Focus on what you learned, how you grew, and why you’re excited about what’s next. Interviewers are often looking for self-awareness and maturity — especially in how you handle tough situations.

3. Arrive unprepared

It’s easy to tell when someone hasn’t done their homework. Maybe they’re unclear on the role they applied for, or they don’t understand what the company does. That lack of preparation can derail an otherwise qualified candidate.

Make sure you know which position you’re interviewing for, what the role entails, and why you’re interested in it. Review the job description, learn a bit about the company’s values or mission, and be ready to explain how your background fits.

4. Give vague or off-topic answersWhen nerves take over, some candidates freeze and forget key points. Others over-explain and wander off-topic. Both can make it difficult for the interviewer to understand how you think or solve problems.

To stay focused, use the STAR method when answering behavioral questions:

• Situation – Briefly describe the context

• Task – What were you responsible for?

• Action – What did you do?

• Result – What was the outcome?

This approach keeps your responses clear, structured, and impactful.

5. Use biased or inappropriate language

Even an offhand comment can raise red flags. Avoid language that could be seen as discriminatory, stereotypical, or exclusionary — especially around protected characteristics like race, gender, religion, age, disability, or sexual orientation.

Whether intentional or not, such remarks can reflect poorly on your judgment and values. Instead, aim to be respectful, inclusive, and culturally aware in both your answers and the questions you ask. Hiring teams want to see that you're someone who can work well with a diverse group of colleagues.

6. Share confidential company information

You want to showcase your accomplishments, but be careful not to share details that aren’t public. That includes unreleased products, internal data, or proprietary business strategies.

Keep your examples high-level or anonymized when necessary. It shows professionalism and respect for your previous employer’s confidentiality agreements — something every hiring team appreciates.

7. Fail to ask thoughtful questions

At the end of nearly every interview, the tables turn — and it’s your chance to ask the interviewer questions. This is more than just a formality. It’s a key opportunity to show curiosity, engagement and that you’ve thought seriously about the role and the company.

One of the biggest mistakes candidates make is saying, “No, I think you covered everything.” It may come across as disinterest or a lack of preparation.

Instead, come prepared with a few thoughtful questions. Ask about team dynamics, how success is measured, recent challenges the team has faced, or what the company’s goals are for the next year. You can even ask your interviewer what they enjoy most about working there. It turns the conversation into a two-way dialogue and helps you better assess whether the job is the right fit for you, too. 8. Phone it in because you’ve answered the same question before

Interviewers don’t know how many times you’ve practiced your story — and they shouldn’t be able to tell. Even if it’s the tenth time you’ve answered “Tell me about yourself,” your delivery should still feel genuine and energized.

Think of it like going to the theatre. The cast may be on their fifth performance of the week, but the audience only sees that night’s show. They expect the same passion and presence as opening night — and so do interviewers.

If you're going through the motions, it shows. But when you bring intention and enthusiasm — even to familiar questions — that’s when interviewers take notice.

Job interviews are more than just a test of your qualifications — they’re an opportunity to show how you communicate, think, and problem-solve. By avoiding these six common mistakes and approaching the process with preparation and professionalism, you'll stand out for all the right reasons.

And remember: interviews aren’t about perfection — they’re about authenticity and readiness. You’ve got this.