23 of the Best Things To Say During a Job Interview

Name: Most Powerful Things To Say in a Job Interview + Examples
Uploaded: 2020-02-04T18:55:13.941Z
Description: This video shares nine power phrases to say in an interview to help you showcase competence, drive, motivation, and more.

Updated July 31, 2023

An interview is meant to be a conversation that allows you and a prospective employer to gauge your suitability for a role and company culture. Providing certain statements and asking specific questions can have a positive impact on the interviewer and influence their hiring decision in your favor. In this article, we discuss what to say at the beginning of your interview, what to say during the interview and the best things to say at the conclusion of your interview.Related: How To Prepare for an Interview

Video: Most Powerful Things To Say in a Job Interview + Examples
This video shares nine power phrases to say in an interview to help you showcase competence, drive, motivation, and more.

What to say at the beginning of your interview

The beginning of your interview is the time to introduce yourself and explain what you know about the company. Here are five things to say at the beginning of your interview:

1. It's nice to meet you.

Greeting your interviewer with a smile gives a good first impression, one they are likely to remember after the interview. Showing the courtesy of introducing yourself with a positive attitude establishes rapport and professionalism.

2. Thank you for meeting with me today.

After introducing yourself, thanking your interviewer for the meeting shows respect for their time. While interviewing you is part of their job, showing this additional respect for their time can make you appear appreciative of the interview.

3. I've read the job description.

Mentioning that you understand the job description shows your immediate interest in the position. You might explain what elements of the job description made you want to apply and interview for the position, which can show your attention to detail.

4. I've researched your company.

While some job seekers read the job description to understand the qualifications and responsibilities, researching the company further shows your interest in the company's culture and history as well. Interviewers appreciate it when applicants take the initiative in learning more about the company before the interview because it shows that you still have a desire to work for them after your initial research.

5. I'd like to learn more about the company.

Mentioning your interest in learning more about the company shows that you are genuinely interested in learning about the company's story from the perspective of a current employee or the founder. Although you are the one being interviewed for the job, the desire to learn more about the company indicates that you need more information to decide if the company will be a good fit for you.Related: 21 Job Interview Tips: How To Make a Great Impression

What to say during your interview

During your interview, it can be beneficial to ask questions, further express your interest and describe the qualities you have that make you an excellent fit for the position. Here are 12 things to say during your interview:

6. This job sounds interesting.

Expressing your interest from the start of the interview will show your genuine interest in the position. Be prepared to explain why you find certain aspects of the position exciting and how they relate to your qualifications and skills.

7. The job description aligns perfectly with my qualifications.

Besides showing the interviewer that you read the entire job description, sharing that your qualifications align with the job requirements can initiate communication about your experience in related tasks and objectives.

8. What can I do to excel in this position?

Asking your interviewer what you can do to excel in the position you applied for shows that you have the desire to succeed at their company. Besides meeting the minimum requirements for the position, your desire to excel further can help you stand out among the other applicants.Related: 9 Best Questions To Ask Your Interviewer (With Video Examples)

9. How is my performance measured in this position?

Understanding what the company considers performance markers allows you to prepare for your potential job. Asking the interviewer about performance measurements also shows your desire to meet and exceed the goals of the company.

10. What challenges are you currently facing?

Asking about the current company challenges allows you to understand what skills you might offer that could benefit the company. This question also exhibits your willingness and desire to overcome challenges and solve current problems.

11. What goals does your company currently have?

Many companies have goals that represent their vision for the future. Asking about their current goals as a company shows that you have the desire to surpass your minimum requirements and be an asset to their team. Learning about company goals may also help you understand whether you want to be part of their vision.

12. I can learn the job duties quickly.

When an interviewer asks you about your ability to do the job you are applying for, expressing that you are able to learn the job duties quickly is essential. This can be a beneficial addition if you lack experience at the tasks that are directly related to the job because the employer will likely appreciate knowing the speed at which you can learn new skills. Be prepared to explain how you learned various job duties and skills in previous employment experiences to give the interviewer a reason to consider you even when you don't have as much experience.

13. I can work with a team.

Although being able to work on your own is vital in certain positions, employers may want to know that you can work well with others. Consider sharing past experiences of you working with a team to show the employer your collaboration, empathy and communication skills.

14. I have experience in this job.

If you have experience in the job you are applying for, make it known to the interviewer. Being able to learn quickly is great, but knowing you may not require additional or extensive training may influence the interviewer's decision.

15. I care about the work I do.

Share how much you care about the work that you do to show the interviewer about your understanding of responsibility. An employee who cares about their work is likely someone who cares about the success of a company.

16. I enjoy coming to work every day.

Tell the interviewer that you enjoy coming to work every day and express that your long-term vision for success relies on your everyday presence. This can show the employer that you are dedicated to your job and possess a strong work ethic.

17. Let me tell you a story.

What you tell the interviewer about your skills or qualities is only the first step to making them believe you have what it takes to excel at the job. Talking about a real on-the-job scenario or past work experience allows the interviewer to envision how you might transfer those skills to your new position. Skills and qualities are important, but sharing how you've used your skills and qualities in real experiences holds more significant value to employers.Related: 12 Tough Interview Questions and Answers

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What to say after your interview

You can finish your interview on a positive note with these six statements:

18. I enjoyed learning more about the position.

Express your enthusiasm for the knowledge you received about the position. Telling the interviewer that you enjoyed learning more about the position can further demonstrate your interest in the job.

19. Based on what I've learned, I believe I can do this job well.

Telling the interviewer that you believe you can meet the expectations discussed in the interview can make them feel that you care about the compatibility of you and the company. This shows that you took everything they said into consideration and only made your decision about your ability once you received all the information.

20. What are my next steps?

Asking the interviewer what your next steps are in the process expresses your interest in obtaining the position. Instead of waiting to receive a reply from the interviewer, you will know what the next steps are before you leave the interview.

21. I'm excited to get started.

Showing your enthusiasm about the job can demonstrate you are ready and willing to go forward with the hiring process. When the interviewer talks about the potential applicants to the manager or business owner, they may be more likely to present you in a more positive tone because of how eager you were to begin working.

22. I look forward to hearing from you.

Telling the interviewer that you look forward to hearing from them further expresses your interest in getting started. If your next step is getting a response from a different person like a manager or business owner, tell the interviewer that you look forward to hearing from that person. You might consider asking for his or her name so you can make a good first impression when you are called.

23. Thank you for your time.

Before you leave your interview, thanking the interviewer for their time expresses sincerity and respect. You can show a great deal of professionalism by showing them that you understand how valuable their time is.

Frequently asked questions

How can I prepare for an interview?

These are some tips you can use to prepare for an interview:

Choose a professional outfit

Consider the attire worn by those who work at the organization to inform your interview outfit. If you're unsure, it's better to dress more professionally than casually.

Practice answering interview questions

Sit with a friend or family member, and ask them to act as the interviewer. Practice answering their questions.

Make a schedule for the day

Know when to leave and how you plan to get to the interview. Review your transportation methods the day before, like ensuring your car has gas or you have money for public transportation.

Arrive at least 15 minutes early

Make a plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early to avoid being late and account for any unplanned complications.

Be prepared

Bring extra copies of your resume and other application documents, a grooming kit, breath mints, water and a portable charger if you can. This helps you stay prepared when unexpected events occur.

How do I know if I performed well during an interview?

It can be difficult to judge how you performed during an interview, and a second interview or job offer is often the best way to understand the hiring manager's opinion of you as a candidate. These are some general indicators your interview went well:

Long interview
Comfortable conversation
Follow-up questions
Information about the role
Tour of the building
Meeting other team members

What should I do after an interview?

Send a thank you note no later than one day after your interview, and reflect on what you learned about the position. If the employer plans to conduct several rounds of interviewing, you may prepare for the second meeting. If the employer doesn't contact you after a week, send a follow-up email to reaffirm your interest in the position.