5 Phrases Job Hunters Should Never Use

April 12, 2011 - PRLog -- “Job hunters destroy their chances to be serious contenders when they use five common – but ridiculous – phrases in job interviews, phone calls, and letters,” declares Dr. Michael Mercer, author of Job Hunting Made Easy.  “These five phrases make job seekers appear lazy or foolish.  Worst of all, they harm their chances to get job offers.”  

So, what are those five horrible phrases no job seeker should say?

“First, job hunters who say ‘No problem’ in job interviews sound like lazy bums,” asserts Mercer.  Why?  Saying “No problem” implies you (a) only do work you do not feel is a “problem” to do and (b) may avoid doing work you feel is a “problem” to perform.  

“Second,” Mercer recommends, never say, ‘My pleasure,’  Some job hunters fantasize that saying, ‘My pleasure’ sounds pseudo-sophisticated.  Actually, if you think about it, ‘my pleasure’ can imply something sexual.  Also, employers want to hire job candidates who do their work whether they feel it is pleasurable or not.”

Third, “Delete the word “try’ from your vocabulary while job hunting,” suggests Mercer.  He explains:  
“Saying ‘Try’ is like being a little bit pregnant.  Either you are pregnant or you are not pregnant.  ‘Try’ is similar.  Either you actually do job assignments or you do not.”  Mercer points out job hunters must realize no employer wants employees to “try” to do work assignments.  Instead, employers search for job applicants who actually do their work.  “They never want to hire anyone who just ‘tries’ to complete work.”

Fourth, Mercer continues, “Any job hunter ending sentences with ‘you know?’ sounds unconfident and self-doubting.” Job seekers who make a statement, and then add the question “you know?,” sound like they wonder if they said something dumb  Mercer’s job hunting advice:  (a) Avoid making stupid remarks in job interviews and (b) never end your remarks with a stupid question, you know?”

“Fifth, any job seeker who makes a statement, and then asks, ‘Do you know what I’m saying?’ or ‘Do you know what I mean?’ sounds unsure.”  These are variations of ending sentences with “you know?”  

Hiring managers may even mock job hunters who use that phrase.  For example, in a “South Park” cartoon, one character ends his every statement by asking, “Do you know what I’m saying?”  Another character keeps answering, “Yes.”  After awhile, the other character cannot tolerate being asked that question anymore.  Finally, he blurts out, “Yes, I know what you are saying.  So, you do not need to ask me again!”  

Dr. Mercer jokingly concludes, “Job hunters must try to avoid five common phrases that actually make them sound dumb or ridiculous, you know?  That should be no problem and a plasure.  Do you know what I’m saying?”

[For more information or to interview Dr. Michael Mercer, call 847-382-0690 &/or see www.JobHuntingMadeEasy.com ]