In an interview, your focus should be promoting to the hiring manager why you—above all the other candidates they have interviewed—are the right person for the job. Saying the wrong thing, however, can ruin your chances of landing the job. When in doubt, try to avoid the following 5 things:

1. I hate my current boss: No matter how much you dislike your old boss, it’s best to refrain from bashing him/her to the hiring manager. It not only will make you look unprofessional, but the hiring manager might assume you just have a bad attitude—or that you were the one who was difficult to work with, not your former boss.
   1. TIP: If the hiring manger asks you about your relationship with your old boss, put a positive spin on it by focusing on what you learned and how it helped you grow.
2. $#!@#!: Your mother would have put soap in your mouth – so make sure to steer clear of any type of swearing, it never comes across well.
3. What does your vacation policy look like?: It is reasonable to inquire as to the details of your vacation package, but focusing on these things too much, especially in a first interview, is a huge no-no—you’ll risk sounding like you won’t actually be interested in doing any work.
4. I don’t have any questions: Hiring managers want someone who is engaging, excited and eager to know more. Often times, at the end of an interview, the employer will ask if you have any other questions. You should always have at least two questions in mind to ask. If you say you don’t have any questions, the interview can end abruptly and not in a positive manner.
   1. TIP: Don’t have any direct questions about the role? Here are some other good questions to ask
      1. What’s your favorite part about working at the company?
      2. What are the company’s values? What characteristics do you look for in employees in order to represent those values?
      3. What could you tell me about the company that isn’t widely known?
5. How soon will I be eligible for a raise? You shouldn’t ask about salary, much less how soon it will increase, during a job interview. Once the offers on the table, negotiate away, but don’t accept a mediocre salary in the hopes it will go up anytime soon. Wait until the employer hits the magic number (or piles on the benefits) before you sign on the dotted line.