You really don’t want to leave a potential new employer with a bad impression and there are a few things that are sure to leave them with serious doubts.

There are loads of interview tips about what you should do and say in an interview available. But what are the things you should avoid mentioning at all costs?

Below are some examples of what to avoid.

What does your company do?

It is a really bad idea to show a lack of knowledge about the company you are interviewing with.

There are no excuses for not researching the company and the employer will expect you to show knowledge of the organization.

You should know their products and/or services, and be able to identify any issues they might be having. Showing a lack of understanding may see your chances evaporate.

Read also: How This Dad Quit His Job 2 Years After Starting a Blog

I hated my last boss.

Aside from being completely unprofessional, bad-mouthing former employers, managers and colleagues only serve to highlight the fact that you may be difficult to work with.

Hiring managers are looking for professionals who are team players and able to work well with a variety of people.

If you are vocal about these issues from a previous job, then they may assume that you were the issue.

No, I don’t have any questions.

This only serves to show that you are not really that interested in the job on offer. By not asking questions or declining the opportunity to do so, will show the interviewer that you are not that interested.

Even if you had questions prepared that have been answered during the interview you should ask for clarification or elaborate. This will highlight your interest and should reflect well.

How long before I get promoted?

The fact that you’re ambitious is actually something the interviewer will want to see in you. However, there are ways to show this aside from asking about promotions or money.

Your motivation for wanting the job should come from the prospect of new exciting projects or opportunity to expand your skill set.

If you are asking about rewards before you have even started, the interviewer will doubt your motivations.

Read also: How to Get That Promotion Without Working Longer Hours

I’ll need the following days off.

An interview is not the time to discuss time off. This is something to raise at a later date should you receive an offer.

All you will do is fire any flames of doubt about your commitment and put questions in the head of your interviewer.

I don’t have a single weakness.

Saying that you have no weaknesses is akin to saying that you’re perfect. Chances are you’re not.

This question is highly likely to come up and you should prepare some reflections on yourself as a professional.

In reality, this is an opportunity to display that you are self-aware and with an optimistic spin, the weaknesses you highlight can be presented in a positive light.

There are also topics of conversation you should avoid in an interview.

For instance, (unless interviewing for a related post) avoid discussing your religious or political affiliations. Your interviewer might find it inappropriate, or worse offensive.

Use your common sense, be respectful during your interview and you should be able to avoid any mistakes.

12 Things to Say to Ace Your Job Interview

It’s normal to feel stressed or anxious before an important job interview. Because this is your one chance to sell yourself to new employers and stand out from competition, you’ll have to make the most out of this golden opportunity. 

The good news is that anyone can ace their interview. By incorporating these essential phrases into your answers, you’re sure to leave a good impression on any hiring manager:

Bonus: How to Identify Your Strengths Before a Job Interview

We all know how intimidating it can be to put yourself forward for a new job. Yeah, you know you can do the work – it’s selling yourself in the first place that’s the real challenge!

Everybody dreads being asked what their strengths are and what they can bring to a team, because it feels like you have to show-off and express a strong positive opinion of yourself. So next time you’re writing an application or preparing for an interview, instead of relying on opinion – try to back yourself up with the facts.

Okay, so it’s tough to ‘objectively’ state that you’re charming, or spontaneous, or systematic. They still seem like opinions, even if you hold those opinions strongly. Coming up with examples from your work or extracurricular life that demonstrate your particular strengths in action is a common and effective way to convince a panel that you are what you say you are.

But figuring out what you are in the first place takes a bit more work.

And that’s where this excellent new career resource from OnStride comes in handy.

Their visual guide uses the theories of psychologist William Moulton Marston to create ‘Word Maps of 12 Personality Types’ – the 12 types that Marston identified using his celebrated DiSC system. DiSC stands for Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, Conscientiousness, and these are the personality compass points between which the various character types find themselves.

The Seeker, for example, is a curious character. She finds herself bored when not learning something new, and has a tendency to move ahead to new pastures while others are dwelling on details.

If you can demonstrate times in your career or education when you’ve been the one to identify or seize an opportunity, or you’ve shaken up the way things are done to improve the outcome, you may well be a Seeker.

When the interviewer asks you your strengths, you might say that you’re pioneering, dynamic, enthusiastic.

Everybody wants to work with someone like that!

Or perhaps you’re one of Marston’s ‘Peacekeepers’. Your role has not been to rock the world, like the Seeker, but to keep it one piece when opposing ideas or personalities have threatened to stunt productivity.

Try to think of examples of when you’ve rallied a team around to an unlikely success or proved yourself an understanding listener to a trouble-maker. If you have examples of this, try to drop words like ‘diplomatic’, ‘supportive’, and ‘problem-solver’ into your spiel. You’ve proved it: you’re a peacekeeper!