Impressing a potential employer during a job interview requires a mixture of enthusiasm, authenticity and the right approach to highlighting your skills and experience.

Nolan Church, former Google recruiter and CEO of FairComp, gives valuable tips on what to do and what to avoid.

"I work too hard"

If the interviewer asks you something you could improve on, worn-out statements like "Iwork too hard" or "I'm a perfectionist" can come across as dishonest. Church warns against using these clichés, suggesting that they make candidates appear inauthentic and are seen as a way of masking self-praise in self-criticism.

"When you do that, the perception is that 'you'rejust talking crap'," says Church. "They might think you're not being honest about who you are as a person or that you really think you can't improve as a worker," he points out, quoted by CNBC.

Don’t use these phrases in a job interview, they are ‘major red flags,’ says ex-Google recruiter
When you’re in a job interview, avoid saying phrases like “I work too hard” and “I’m a perfectionist,” says ex-Google recruiter Nolan Church.
CNBCGili Malinsky

Instead, the recruiter recommends sharing an example of a past mistake, what was learned from it and how it contributed to your professional development.

Blaming former employers

Negative comments about colleagues or previous employers are also discouraged. Such remarks can reflect negatively on your character, suggesting a lack of responsibility. It's important to show humility and a willingness to own up to past mistakes, indicating that you're open to learning and improving, and that you don't think you've done everything perfectly.

"We want to work with people who have the self-awareness to know when they've made a mistake and update their own mental models to fix it," recommends Church.

I don't know"

One of Church's most critical pieces of advice is to avoid ending conversations with "I don't know". This response can shut down discussions and suggest a reluctance to face up to challenges.

Instead, candidates, especially those at the start of their careers who may not have much experience, should express a willingness to learn and hypothesize possible solutions to problems presented during the interview. "It's okay to say, 'I don't know, but here's how I'd find out'," he points out.

The key to a successful interview lies in showing that you are capable of growing with the company, taking responsibility for your actions and being proactive in solving problems.

By avoiding these common pitfalls and adopting a more reflective and authentic approach, candidates can significantly improve their chances of making a positive impression on potential employers.