Stop saying these words in your interview

When you’re preparing for an interview, working out what you’re going to say is key. Some words are best avoided, even if they seem positive. Certain phrases are overused and clichéd, while others may understate your abilities — and hiring managers have probably heard them countless times before. 

Here’s a look at which words and phrases to avoid, and what you should say instead. 

Be polite and sincere 

Thirayada Jantapon, HR Manager, advises: “Don’t say bad things about your previous employer, their staff, or anything negative about them. Always be polite and natural. Be sincere.” 

Varavudh Thamrongrat, Director of SoGood House, Post-Production, adds: “Avoid bragging words. Be humble. Words should demonstrate a positive, can-do attitude.” 

Beware of downplaying your abilities 

Many candidates feel uneasy talking about themselves in interviews, which can lead to language that downplays achievements. This is not the time to minimise your accomplishments. Instead, use positive language that highlights your strengths. 

Watch out for filler words 

In Thai, common filler words like “เอ่อ” (uh), “คือ” (like), or “ก็” (you know) can creep into speech when nervous. A few are fine, but repeating them too often may give the impression you’re not confident or prepared. 

Thirayada recommends: “Stay calm. Take your time to think. Tell a story. Practice. If you don’t understand something your interviewer says, don’t be shy to seek clarification.” 

Recording practice answers or rehearsing with a friend can help you notice and reduce filler words. Remember, it’s okay to pause for a few seconds before answering. 

Avoid overused words 

Some words are so common in interviews that they lose impact: 

Workaholic: Employers today value people who work smart, not just long hours. Thirayada notes that efficiency and balance are more important than claiming to be a “workaholic.” Instead, describe how you manage your time effectively and focus on achieving results. 

Perfectionist: This word is often used to disguise a weakness, but it can suggest inefficiency. If you set high standards, explain how you balance quality with deadlines, and how you know when a task is complete. 

Be truthful and back up your claims 

Thirayada stresses the importance of being genuine: “Present your real experience and abilities.” 

If you claim to be resilient, detail the challenges you’ve overcome, the steps you took, and the skills you developed. If you say you’re detail-oriented, make sure your application is error-free and provide examples of when your attention to detail prevented mistakes. If you describe yourself as a team player, share specific examples of how you supported colleagues or contributed to group success. 

What you should say instead 

Success stories carry weight. Thirayada recommends focusing on the situation, the problem, and the solution. This shows sincerity and capability without bragging. 

Use strong, positive action phrases such as: 

• “I identified…” 
• “I developed…” 
• “I proposed…” 
• “I implemented…” 

Pair these with the STAR method (Situation, Task, Actions, Result) to structure your answers. For example: 

• Situation: Describe the context. 
• Task: Explain the goal. 
• Actions: Detail what you did. 
• Result: Share the outcome. 

This approach demonstrates your skills clearly and reassures interviewers that you can handle future challenges. 

Example using STAR: 

Situation: “Our team was facing delays in delivering reports because the process was manual and time-consuming.” 

Task: “I needed to find a way to speed up the reporting process before the next quarterly deadline.” 

Actions: “I researched automation tools, proposed a new system to management, and trained the team to use it. I also created a step-by-step guide so everyone could follow the process easily.” 

Result: “The reports were completed two weeks ahead of schedule, accuracy improved, and the team saved several hours each week.” 

Getting to the interview stage is an exciting step. The words you choose can boost your confidence and shape how employers see you. Be polite, avoid bragging, and back up your strengths with real examples. With careful preparation and practice, you’ll give the interview your best shot — and leave a lasting, positive impression.