Common Phrases to Avoid in Conversation (III)

面試忌諱

Some things should never be said―like these phrases. Here’s what to say instead:

What Not to Say During a Job Interview

Don’t say: “My current boss is horrendous(可怕的).”

Why: It’s unprofessional. Your interviewer might wonder when you’d start bad-mouthing(苛刻批評) her. For all you know， she and your current boss are old pals(<口> 好朋友).

Instead say: “I’m ready for a new challenge” or a similarly positive remark.

Don’t say: “Do you think I’d fit in here?”

Why: You’re the interviewee， not the interviewer.

Instead say: “What do you enjoy about working here?” By all means ask questions， but prepare ones that demonstrate your genuine interest in the company.

Don’t say: “What are the hours(pl. 工作作息時間) like?” or “What’s the vacation policy?”

Why: You want to be seen as someone who focuses on getting the job done.

Instead say: “What’s the day-to-day(日常的) like here?” Then， if you’ve really jumped through every hoop[1] and time off(假期) still hasn’t been mentioned， say， “Can you tell me about the compensation(<美> 薪水) and benefits package(福利待遇)?”

Expert: Mary Mitchell， president of the Mitchell Organization， a corporate-etiquette training firm in Seattle， and author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Etiquette.

[1] jump through hoops <美口> 做出很大努力，百般討好