Phrase library / Job interviews

What to say at work: job interviews

Phrases for tell me about yourself, weaknesses, gaps, questions for the interviewer and the thank-you note.

DON'T SAY
“So, um, where do I start…”
tell me about yourself
SAY THIS
“I'm a project coordinator with five years in logistics, known for fixing messy processes.”
A one-line summary tells them how to see you from the start.
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DON'T SAY
“I'm a perfectionist.”
your weakness
SAY THIS
“I used to over-prepare, so now I set time limits and share drafts earlier.”
A real weakness with a fix sounds honest and self-aware.
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DON'T SAY
“We did a lot of great work on that project.”
SAY THIS
“I led the rollout and cut onboarding time from two weeks to five days.”
They're hiring you, not your old team, so say what you did.
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DON'T SAY
“Uh, no, I don't have experience with that.”
SAY THIS
“I haven't done that directly. The closest was when I rebuilt our intake process.”
Bridging to related experience keeps you in the conversation.
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DON'T SAY
“My manager is awful.”
why you're leaving
SAY THIS
“I've grown a lot there, and I'm ready for a role with more ownership.”
Looking forward sounds ambitious. Complaining sounds risky.
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DON'T SAY
“No, I think you covered everything.”
any questions?
SAY THIS
“What would success look like in the first 90 days?”
A thoughtful question shows you're already picturing the job.
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DON'T SAY
“Sorry, I know there's a gap on my resume…”
SAY THIS
“I took a year off for family and kept my skills current with two certifications.”
Stated plainly, with what you did, the gap stops being a topic.
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DON'T SAY
“Um… uh… hmm…”
SAY THIS
“That's a good question. Let me take a second to think.”
A calm, brief pause reads as thoughtful, not stuck.
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DON'T SAY
“So… I guess that's it?”
SAY THIS
“I'm excited about this role. What are the next steps?”
Stating interest and asking about next steps ends on a confident note.
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DON'T SAY
“Thanks for your time.”
the whole thank-you note
SAY THIS
“Thanks for today. Our talk about the new client portal made me even more excited.”
Referencing a real moment makes your note memorable.
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