INTERVIEW TIP - Five Things You Should NOT Do During A Job Interview
Posted 29th January 2026 • Written by Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic on forbes.com • • • • • • •
Here are five things you should NOT do during a job interview:
(1) Don’t FAKE it (unless you can BS yourself first):
Some estimates suggest that up to 90% of candidates engage in some degree of faking during an interview, and there’s no certainty that they would be found out. That said, there is a high cost to being found out, and unskilled faking attempts are vulnerable to detection. For instance, if your smile is more “painted on” than genuine, or if you’re clearly parroting stock answers, you risk coming across as insincere.
(2) Shut up and listen (unless you are asked to talk):
Many candidates fall into the trap of over-talking (often a sign of insecurity, and at times just narcissism!), turning a structured dialogue into a monologue. But interviews are as much about showing your listening skills as your speaking skills. Studies on impression management show that monopolizing airtime leads to lower ratings because it signals arrogance or lack of social awareness. A well-timed pause or a clarifying question often makes you look more thoughtful and engaged than another five-minute spiel about your “passion.”
(3) Don’t disparage people (especially past colleagues or bosses):
You may think that bad-mouthing your old boss demonstrates honesty, but interviewers usually read it as bitterness, poor teamwork, or a lack of discretion. Research on influence tactics shows that negative talk is one of the fastest ways to undermine perceptions of agreeableness and fit. Even if your ex-manager was truly toxic, the safe move is to frame the experience as a learning opportunity.
(4) Don’t appear unprepared (especially if you are):
Winging it might work for improv comedy, but not for job interviews. Hiring managers can tell when you haven’t done your homework, and lack of preparation screams low conscientiousness. Meta-analytic evidence shows that structured preparation — researching the role, tailoring your answers, knowing the company — strongly predicts better evaluations.
(5) Don’t suck up (too much):
A little appreciation for the company or interviewer can show warmth, but overdoing it edges into obsequiousness. Excessive flattery triggers suspicion: if you’re laying it on this thick now, what will you be like once you’re hired?
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