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Daily Mail
13 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Expert reveals the phrases that make employers cringe in job interviews - and how to answer common question that trips most people up
Rehearsing answers to expected questions ahead of an interview is, of course, recommended - but it's just as important to know what not to say. While a candidate might have crafted a perfect response, if it's peppered with certain 'cringeworthy' words they could be seriously harming their chances, according to a UK recruitment expert. Adrien Kallel, from Remote People, argues that even the 'throwaway' words and phrases that people use without thinking can negatively influence hiring managers. By now, most jobseekers know to avoid highlighting their perfectionism as their biggest weakness - and they're aware that it's not enough to answer 'hardworking' when asked for their greatest strength. But, there are a number of other words and expressions which can make a candidate come across as lazy, presumptuous or even unprepared. Among the words that recruiter Adrien recommends avoiding are 'obviously' and 'workaholic', while clichés like 'motivated by change' and 'I love a challenge' can be just as harmful. To help candidates put their best foot forward in their next job interview, the expert suggests alternatives to the overused, overfamiliar or vague words that can easily creep into even the most considered responses. 'OBVIOUSLY' According to Adrien, starting an interview answer with the word 'obviously' is a definite red flag. 'Starting a sentence with "obviously" assumes the interviewer already knows your background or skills, which is rarely the case,' he says. 'Interviewers are seeking to understand your experience and how you would fit within their organisation. Avoid assuming they're already aware of your qualifications.' 'Instead, aim for more precise language that shows you're thoughtful about your qualifications. 'For example, instead of "Obviously, I have experience with this," try, "I have worked extensively on projects where this was a key focus, including…",' recommends the expert. 'WE' INSTEAD OF 'I' In many cases, it feels natural to say 'we'. And, while a candidate might assume it's a useful way to show that they're a team player, interviewers are usually keen to understand someone's individual contributions. 'Employers want to know what part you played in your previous roles, not just what the team achieved,' Adrien points out. 'Avoid talking about what your team or department did. Focus on your personal input.' When asked about past accomplishments, use specific examples that showcase your efforts. He adds: 'Replace "We completed the project on time' with something like "I led the project and ensured we met deadlines despite tight constraints."' 'WORKAHOLIC' It's not difficult to understand why a candidate would claim they're a workaholic in an interview, especially if it's for a role in an industry known for long hours or tight deadlines. A jobseeker might reasonably assume that the word 'workaholic' - proxy for 'I'll be at my desk every hour of the day' - would impress their future employer. Yet, according to recruitment expert Adrien, the opposite is true - but not because interviewers don't want committed candidates. Adrien says: 'Using the term "workaholic" can sound like a cop-out, a phrase with little substance. Hiring managers often see it as a catch-all term that doesn't actually highlight any specific strengths or skills.' He advises interviewees to instead 'focus on specific areas of improvement' or the skills they're working to develop. The recruitment expert offers the following alternative: 'I'm committed to learning how to better manage my time and delegate tasks.' Another approach is to say: 'I'm keen to work on my work-life balance while ensuring I meet deadlines.' 'MOTIVATED BY CHANGE' While hiring managers undoubtedly want employees who can cope with the dynamism of a growing business, using the phrase 'motivated by change' in an interview is unadvisable. According to Adrian, the cliché is much too vague and difficult to back up with concrete examples. 'Change is something we all experience, but it's not always something people thrive on,' he says. 'In many cases, people become jobseekers because they've had to deal with change, and many of us prefer the comfort of routine.' Instead of falling back on overused expressions like 'motivated by change', interviewees should be ready to show how they've adapted to challenges and how they maintain a flexible approach. A good alternative, Adrien adds, is to say: 'I embrace new challenges because they allow me to grow and develop professionally, such as when I had to quickly learn a new software system to meet a project deadline.' By offering a specific example, a candidate will appear much more credible to a hiring manager. 'I LOVE A CHALLENGE' In a similar way to 'motivated by change', the seemingly innocuous phrase 'I love a challenge' could actually put an interviewer off. Candidates might assume that the expression conveys both confidence and the kind of enthusiasm that companies crave, particularly when they're going through periods of profound change. Yet, according to recruiter Adrien, simply stating 'I love a challenge' will almost always fail to impress - it is hollow and unhelpful. 'Challenges are part of every job, but candidates rarely follow up with a meaningful example of how they've tackled them,' he says. Interviewees should instead provide solid examples of times when they've come up against obstacles and successfully overcome them. Instead, jobseekers should say: 'One challenge I faced in my last role was managing a project with tight deadlines. I prioritised tasks and communicated effectively with my team to ensure we delivered on time.' In addition to knowing which words and expressions to avoid, candidates must also master a particular framework for answering an extremely common interview question, according to career expert with a huge following on TikTok. Jobseekers can often end up waffling when a hiring manager opens the interview with the 'Tell me about yourself' question - but there's a simple way to avoid this pitfall. With almost 47,000 followers on TikTok, career influencer Lara, who goes by @laratechsales on the platform, tells candidates to use the 'triple P framework' to approach the question. The framework, she explains, enables interviewees to talk succinctly about their past work or study and their present job or educational course. The third 'P' stands for 'personality' and is an opportunity for the candidate to share their most important or relevant extra-curricular activities and hobbies. In a clip that's been viewed thousands of times, Lara, who studied law but later decided to pursue tech sales, offers an example of how she would respond to the prompt 'Tell me about yourself' using the special framework. Having introduced herself, Lara says, 'I'm a recent law graduate', before outlining the reasons why she decided to study law at university. Elaborating on her past, the influencer cites the 'intellectually stimulating' nature of a career in law as a motivating factor along with the belief that 'every day would be different.' Yet, conscious that she needs to provide a convincing reason for leaving law behind and instead pursuing tech sales, Lara refers to her 'work experience' and 'vacation schemes'. She says these proved to her that life as a lawyer may in fact be repetitive since 'you specialise in one specific area'. In addition, she cites the 'limited' earning potential of lawyers outside of London as an important factor in swapping the law for a career in tech sales. Focusing on her past, Lara adds: 'I came across tech sales because one of my friends, who was actually president of the tech society at university. And she invited me along to one of the events.' By referencing her interest in the tech society, Lara presents herself as curious and pro-active. Similarly, by evoking her attendance at one of the society's events, she shows herself to be confident and genuinely interested in tech. The career influencer explains that she had thought it was necessary to have a 'technical background to work in tech' but, having done some research of her own, she soon discovered that 'there are so many different avenues within the industry'. Rounding off her answer, she adds: 'And that's how I stumbled into tech sales.' Lara then moves on to her present, explaining that she works part time as customer service advisor because she wants to dedicate the rest of her time to 'learning a bit more about tech sales'. She reaffirms her enthusiasm for tech sales by telling the interviewer that she is 'doing a couple of courses online' that are helping her develop the necessary 'soft skills'. The career expert then moves on to the final 'P' - personality - and offers an insight into her hobbies. She says: 'I love to travel. I've actually travelled across 25 countries in Europe over the last few years.' Even here, she is careful to give a concrete example to illustrate her passion for travel, giving herself the best chance of impressing the interviewer.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
4 Worst Pieces Of Career Advice Given To College Graduates
Graduates celebrate the future, but outdated advice could stall their career journey before it ... More begins. May and June are marked by college graduation speeches and a sea of caps soaring skyward. Each one is tossed by a hopeful graduate ready to chase a successful future. The ink on your diploma is barely dry before unsolicited advice rolls in from all directions. While some of it is helpful, a surprising amount is outdated. The worst thing you can do is follow the advice mindlessly. As of March, nearly 6% of recent graduates ages 22 to 27 who hold a bachelor's degree or higher were unemployed, reported by the Federal Reserve of New York. It's been reported that 25% of young adults are struggling to find jobs in their intended career fields, while 62% aren't employed in the career they intended to pursue after graduation. The job market is volatile. Following bad advice can lead new graduates down the wrong path, wasting opportunities they can't afford to lose. This advice screams fear. There is no long-term strategy behind this mindset. Yes, job hunting is hard. However, rushing to accept any offer is a formula for burnout. Worse yet, it establishes career detours that are hard to undo. The 'foot in the door' idea assumes that all experience is good experience, but that's not always true. A toxic workplace, for instance, stalls your growth. Don't panic-apply. Look for a role that builds momentum, not just fills space on your resume. Ask yourself, 'What will I learn in this role? Who will I become by doing this job?' It's okay to wait for something more aligned with your goals. There's still a stigma around job-hopping—older generations like the loyalty factor. Companies are now embracing the reality that candidates are pivoting multiple times within their careers. Staying in a dead-end job out of obligation helps no one. Without leadership development or growth opportunities, additional time in the role is unlikely to lead to meaningful progress. This doesn't mean you should resign at the first sign of discomfort; it does mean you should regularly evaluate the situation. Ask yourself, 'Am I developing new skills? Do I have mentorship? Is there an upward path at this company?' Higher education can be valuable, but it's also expensive and not always necessary. Many grads are pressured into applying for graduate programs simply because they don't know what else to do. In industries such as law, academia orclinical work, an additional degree is essential. However, in fields such as marketing, technology or entrepreneurship, hands-on experience often outweighs academic credentials. Work in the field first. It's better to test the waters in your industry, identify gaps in your knowledge and then decide if a graduate degree is worth the investment. Grad school is a powerful tool, not a default next step. The job market has changed. It's time for new grads to question old rules and build smarter ... More strategies. This one is the most damaging of all. The idea that you need a perfectly mapped-out 5-year plan before you even start working generates unnecessary pressure. Careers today are nonlinear. The average person changes careers up to eight times. What matters most is learning how to pivot and build relationships. Your first job isn't your forever job. Build skills that set you apart from your competition. It's more helpful to focus on the next right step rather than a rigid plan. Start where you are and stay open to what you discover. The early years of your career are about progression. Anyone who tells you that your career should be linear is selling a shortcut that most likely doesn't exist. The best way to navigate post-grad life is to ask yourself three questions consistently: These questions keep you aligned with your career identity. The rules that may have worked for previous generations no longer apply in a market now shaped by AI and remote work. What worked for your parents is now obsolete. You don't need to follow someone else's blueprint. You need your own strategy that evolves with your definition of success. Listen carefully to advice, but don't be afraid to question it. Your career isn't something you inherit—it's something you design.
Independent Singapore
5 days ago
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Singaporeans dish on how to know when it's time to quit your job
Photo: Freepik/ (for illustration purposes only). SINGAPORE: After a local Reddit user who's been wanting to resign for the past few months asked how a person knows when it's actually time to leave a job, others on the platform quickly swooped in with their advice and experience. Earlier this week, u/Negative-Berry-50 wrote in a post on r/askSingapore that they've been wanting to leave their job since February. However, since that point, two of their colleagues have already quit, even without new job offers lined up. Therefore, with the current hiring freeze in the company, the post author wrote that they 'foresee chaos during peak periods' due to the smaller team size. 'As wonderful and supportive as my remaining teammates are, I really don't see myself staying with them this year, but I won't be leaving without a new offer,' they added. Commenters on the post outlined a list of 'signs' that are a pretty good indicator of when it's time to leave one's job. 'Basically, when: You feel like you're not learning anything anymore, or this job isn't fit for your career goals anymore It's getting more and more difficult to find a solid reason to get to work/You're not motivated at all, and it's been that way for 6+ months. You have a burnout You have a better offer somewhere else,' wrote one. See also 'Am I in Bedok, Ponggol or Hougang?' — Confused netizen asks 'No increment for that year,' another added. 'When the toxic culture becomes too much for you to accept, especially when colleagues start to shirk responsibility after teaching you,' a Reddit user contributed. 'When you have a manager who can't seem to work with you no matter how much you try to accommodate their whims and fancies,' wrote another. A commenter urged the post author to wait until they have the next job in the pipeline, writing, 'When a good job offer lands… that's when it's time.' However, another quipped that it's time to quit 'When you have to ask on Reddit.' One wrote that when someone even begins to think of quitting, this is already somewhat of a sign. 'Usually, if you start thinking about quitting, it's probably time to leave. There must be a reason why you even had this thought, so … Quitting is a skill, lah. Have to overcome all the cognitive biases and sunk cost fallacy and fear of the unknown, etc., not everyone is in a position to leave when they want to, but if you have this thought, I think it would be a good idea to start looking out,' they wrote. See also Singaporeans dismayed at 9th Giant closure this year 'Quitting a job can feel like a big decision, and many reasons might lead you to decide it's the right time. You might want to explore another industry or take on a new challenge, or you may feel unsatisfied with your current role. It may be time to quit your job when you're no longer motivated to complete your daily tasks, feel overworked or burnt out, or want to move beyond your current position into a more advanced one. These are a few signs that it may be time to quit your job and get a better one that more effectively meets your needs,' reads this piece from Coursera. /TISG Read also: 2 in 5 Singaporeans quit jobs that lack time and location flexibility
The Sun
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
How do I explain break in employment after my freelance business slowed down?
APPRENTICE star and West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady answers your careers questions. Here, Karren gives advice to a reader who wants to get back into an in-house role after years of freelance work. Q) I've enjoyed my 20-year career in marketing, but I've always wanted to work for myself and decided a couple of years ago to leave the job I'd been in for a while and go freelance. At first, I had lots of work, but over the last year or so, things have slowed down and I'm not earning enough to pay all my bills. I've decided I need to look for a new permanent role again so I can have a guaranteed salary, but I don't know how to explain my break in employment and my reasons for wanting an in-house role. Any advice? Evie, via email A) Going freelance was a bold and admirable step – it shows initiative, confidence and a desire to challenge yourself. Many employers value that kind of entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to put yourself out there. When explaining your employment gap, focus on what you gained from the freelance experience – managing multiple clients, developing new skills in new settings, and navigating the realities of running a business. You've likely gained a deeper understanding of what businesses need and how important it is to collaborate effectively, and these experiences will make you a strong team player. Express that you're excited about being part of a team again, with the opportunity to collaborate more closely with different colleagues, while leveraging what you've learned and bringing all your strengths to help the team, and wider company, thrive. Karren Brady is an 'ice queen' who ignores The Apprentice candidates - even when the cameras aren't rolling, claims ex-star But don't be afraid to be honest about the challenges you encountered, too – you could explain that while freelancing started strong, the market shifted and sustaining a consistent income became increasingly difficult. Rather than seeing this as a setback, frame it as a valuable lesson in adaptability and resilience. Good luck!
Forbes
24-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Is Your Job In Jeopardy? These 7 Red Flags Say Yes
Is Your Job In Jeopardy? These 7 Red Flags Say Yes In today's rapidly shifting job market, no one likes to admit they might be on shaky ground. But as a career coach who has worked with professionals across industries, I've seen one consistent truth: jobs don't just disappear overnight. There are often subtle (and not-so-subtle) warning signs that suggest a role is at risk—if you know where to look. And the risk is real. Roughly 12.6% of U.S. employment, or about 19.2 million jobs, are at high risk of being taken over by automation, according to recent research by the Society for Human Resource Management. If you've been sensing something's off at work lately, don't ignore your intuition. Here are seven red flags that may indicate your job could be on the chopping block and what you can do about it. One of the earliest signs of trouble is a sudden shift in your workload. If projects you were once responsible for start vanishing or are reassigned without discussion, it may mean leadership is beginning to phase you out. This isn't always malicious. Sometimes, it's about reorganization or shifting priorities—but when you're consistently left out of key assignments, it's worth investigating. Ask yourself: Are others getting strategic work while I'm handed busywork or nothing at all? That imbalance can be a signal that your role is no longer seen as essential. Have you noticed you're no longer included in important emails, meetings, or decision-making discussions? If you're being excluded from conversations where you were once a regular voice, it may not be an oversight—it could be intentional. Being left out undermines your ability to contribute and stay visible, which is particularly damaging if your role requires influence or collaboration. Start documenting when and how you're being excluded, and consider having a candid conversation with your manager to express your concerns and reassert your desire to stay engaged. Managers are human. Their tone and behavior can fluctuate. But if your once-friendly boss has become distant, cold, or uncharacteristically formal, it could be a clue that something's changed, especially if this shift is specific to you. Formal, clipped interactions often indicate discomfort or a shift in relationship dynamics. It could mean your manager is under pressure to make tough decisions—or that they're trying to emotionally distance themselves before delivering difficult news. Keep an eye on how your boss interacts with others. If the change seems isolated to you, that's worth noting. Consistent feedback is a vital part of career growth. But if the praise has disappeared and all you're getting now is silence or criticism, that imbalance can be emotionally draining, and it may be signaling something deeper. When managers begin focusing only on your mistakes, they may be laying the groundwork to justify a termination or reorganization. Constructive feedback should always be part of a supportive work culture. If all you hear are negatives (or nothing at all), it might be time to reassess where you stand. Most companies encourage documentation, but when communication starts becoming overly formal—every request in writing, every action tracked—it can signal a shift from collaboration to self-protection. This often happens when legal or HR concerns come into play. If your manager starts copying HR on routine messages or stops having verbal check-ins in favor of carefully worded emails, it may mean they're preparing a paper trail. If this happens, you should start documenting everything yourself, too. A particularly disheartening sign is when you're put in a position where success is nearly impossible—unclear instructions, unrealistic deadlines, or being assigned tasks outside your skill set—only to be criticized afterward. This tactic is sometimes used to justify letting an employee go under the guise of poor performance. If you're repeatedly placed in these situations, advocate for yourself in writing. Clarify expectations, ask for resources, and document your responses. This not only shows initiative, but also protects your professional reputation if things escalate. Nothing says 'we're moving on' quite like seeing someone else sit in your chair—literally or figuratively. If another employee starts taking your place in meetings, representing your work, or being introduced as a point of contact where you once were, it's a clear sign your role may be getting absorbed or replaced. This is particularly common in restructuring scenarios, where duties are redistributed before official changes are announced. If you notice this shift, ask for clarification. It's better to be proactive and understand the changes rather than silently watching them unfold. If several of these signs sound familiar, it's time to take action, not panic. Start by documenting everything and seeking clarification where appropriate. Update your resume and LinkedIn profile, reconnect with your network, and quietly begin exploring new opportunities. Consider speaking with a career coach or mentor to evaluate your options and craft a plan. Remember, being proactive doesn't mean you've given up. It means you're empowering yourself. Job loss is never easy, but it doesn't have to derail your career. The sooner you recognize the signs, the sooner you can take steps to ensure your next chapter is on your own terms. You've got this!
