3 things not to say when you’re looking for a job

Company representatives at a job fair or in the initial interview process want to know what you will do for them, not what you want for yourself personally. How you present yourself in the first meeting will affect whether you make it to the next step of the interview process. Save your questions about lifestyle and job location for further down the path.



In the beginning, you have to get your foot in the door. As a public speaking coach who has helped more than 2,000 people globally deliver their message, these tips can help you land the job you want and boost your career trajectory. Think of every engagement you have in your job search as an opportunity to establish credibility and connect with your audience.



Don’t say things that center around your personal goals:




“I’m looking for a job in a specific location.”



“I’m looking for a job with a minimum salary and benefits.”



“I’m looking for a job that will give me enough free time to pursue my personal interests.”




Instead, say things that bring attention to the value you will add:



“I’m looking for a job where I can make a difference for the environment while staying focused on the bottom line.”



Starting by saying, “I’m looking for a job in Richmond, Virginia,” makes the conversation about you, rather than the organization. If you have a specific geographic location where you want to live, do your research ahead of time to make sure your intended job target has operations, or the flexibility to work, where you want to be.



That way you can lead the conversation with the content of the work and what you want to accomplish there. This is particularly important at a job fair or a trade show, where people and organizations come together from all over. Focus your initial conversations on the impact you want to make by working for that organization. Talk about what drives you professionally.



Let’s take a moment to discuss applying for a job that specifically says it’s in a location where you don’t live. If you don’t live there and you don’t plan to live there, you can save everyone’s time, including your own, by not applying.



If you don’t live there but would like to move there or are willing to move there, include that in your cover letter. Be specific. “I’m planning to move back to Albany to be near my family.” Or, “I’m willing to move if my new employer will cover some relocation expenses.”  Or, “My skills and experience are an excellent fit for this job. I’m confident I can successfully meet your goals by working remotely and visiting the office every month.” Whatever your game plan is for how you would do this job that is located elsewhere, spell that out in your cover letter if you want to be taken as a serious candidate.



“My goal is to work in the tech sector to use the skills I learned in college to help my new company achieve its goals.”



Use this opportunity to establish your credibility by highlighting the skills you have through previous jobs, classes, and internships you’ve held, or other examples to demonstrate you already have the skills for the organization or the position. Tell stories about what you have accomplished in this field of work.



In this tightening job market, places that are hiring have a lot of options. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to convey how you have what it takes to add value to the organization. Show your enthusiasm for the type of work at hand rather than talking about how the job will be good for you.



“I loved my job where I just got laid off, and my goal is to work for a similar company to leverage my expertise in this sector.”



The individual you’re talking to at the job fair or in the interview is a person too (unless you’re doing an AI interview , and that’s a whole other topic). If you got laid off, people may sympathize and want to help. Use the layoff to connect with your audience—even when that’s an audience of one. Tell a brief, curated story about how you got laid off and what work you were doing at the time.



Show that you loved your work and want to keep doing it. Let them know that you don’t have ill feelings toward your former employer (and if you do, this isn’t the time to share!). People may not want to pick up someone else’s disgruntled employee. Share specific accomplishments from your previous jobs. 



Whenever you use a statistic, or say something like, “I increased sales by 15%,” make the statistic relatable. For example, you could say, “I added five new clients to our roster last year. That’s getting 15% more juice out of your squeeze for the same product.”   Or , “Coming into the company as a new employee, I was able to put a fresh eye to our processes. The recommendations I made to my supervisor resulted in an annual cost savings of nearly $100,000, which is the equivalent of reducing your personal monthly budget by 10% without having to give up your gym membership.”



Once you’re further into the interview process, it’s time to ask the questions that will help you decide whether you want the job, including questions about salary, location, flexible schedules, and benefits.