Avoiding Job Interview Disasters: What Family Feud Taught Me

I recently watched an episode of Family Feud with Steve Harvey, where contestants were asked to name things you should never do in the middle of a job interview. The top six responses were:

1. Fart
2. Use Phone/Text
3. Pick Nose
4. Cuss/Yell
5. Go to Bathroom
6. Light Up a Cigarette

At first, I couldn’t help but chuckle at the crude and over-the-top answers. Let’s face it—these scenarios are outrageous, but they highlight an important point: certain actions are instant interview killers. While Family Feud may have made these humorous, it got me thinking more seriously about what behaviors can sabotage an interview.

Job interviews are pivotal moments in your career, offering a rare opportunity to showcase your skills, experience, and personality. Making a positive impression is essential, but it’s just as important to avoid significant missteps that can derail your chances. To help you navigate this high-stakes process, I’ve created a practical guide: 21 things you should never do during a job interview. Each comes with an explanation to help you understand why it matters and how to avoid these common pitfalls.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or preparing for your first interview, this list will help you avoid embarrassing blunders and leave a lasting, positive impression.

1. Show Up Late

Picture this: you walk into the interview room, flushed from rushing, and offer a hurried apology. The interviewer is already wondering if you’re dependable. Showing up late sets a bad tone and makes it harder for you to recover your confidence. Instead, plan your route in advance, leave early, and aim to be there 10–15 minutes ahead of schedule. This shows respect for their time and gives you a few moments to collect yourself before you start.

An officer I had hired showed up late to a City Council meeting for his swearing-in. Unfortunately, that was an unwanted trait that followed him for the next several years as he continued to show up late.

2. Dress Inappropriately

Imagine you arrive for a professional interview wearing jeans and a T-shirt, only to notice that everyone else is dressed in suits. Your outfit sends a message long before you say a word: you didn’t care enough to try. Dressing appropriately isn’t just about clothes—it’s about showing that you understand the department culture and value the opportunity. When in doubt, always err on the side of being slightly overdressed rather than too casual.

3. Fail to Prepare

You’re sitting across from the interviewer, and they ask, “What do you know about our department?” You freeze because you didn’t take the time to research. This moment tells the interviewer you’re either not serious about the job or unprepared for the role. Preparation is key to demonstrating enthusiasm and capability. Spend time understanding the department, reviewing the job description, and practicing answers to common questions so you can speak confidently about how you’ll add value.

4. Use Your Phone

You think the interviewer won’t notice as you sneak a glance at your phone to check a notification—but they absolutely do. Pulling out your phone is a glaring sign of disrespect, whether it’s a quick text or a vibrating alert. It says, “This moment with you isn’t my priority.” Before the interview starts, turn off your phone or leave it in your bag. That way, your attention is 100% on the conversation.

5. Speak Negatively About Past Employers

When asked about your previous job, you unload about how awful your last boss was or how dysfunctional the team became. While your frustration might be valid, trash-talking makes you appear unprofessional and difficult to work with. Instead, take a tactful approach: focus on what you learned from those experiences and how you’re looking forward to contributing to a new role.

6. Interrupt the Interviewer

You’re so eager to get your point across that you cut off the interviewer mid-sentence. While enthusiasm is good, interruptions can come across as rude or impatient. Please take a moment to actively listen to what they’re saying. Let them finish their thought before responding—it shows that you value their perspective and can collaborate effectively.

7. Give Generic or Rambling Answers

When the interviewer asks, “Tell me about a time you solved a problem at work,” you ramble for five minutes without ever getting to the point. This leaves the interviewer wondering if you really have the skills they’re looking for. Instead, focus on providing clear, concise examples that highlight your strengths. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to keep your answers structured and impactful.

8. Lie About Your Experience

You claim to have led a successful community policing program, but when asked for specifics, your response is vague. Or worse, they hire you, and you’re quickly exposed as underqualified. Dishonesty might feel like a shortcut to impressing an interviewer, but it’s a short-lived strategy that can seriously damage your reputation. Be honest about your experience and frame any gaps as opportunities to learn and grow. The news is full of examples of famous people who were exposed after they were hired for lying on their resumes.

9. Fail to Ask Questions

At the end of the interview, the interviewer asks, “Do you have any questions for me?” and you simply say, “No, I think I’m good.” This moment is a missed opportunity to show genuine interest in the role. Thoughtful questions—like “What are the biggest challenges facing the department?”—can demonstrate curiosity, engagement, and strategic thinking. Some of the best people I ever hired asked three or four questions at the end of their interview.

10. Exhibit Poor Body Language

During the interview, you slouch in your chair, avoid eye contact, and fold your arms defensively. Your body language can undermine your words even if your answers are excellent. Sit up straight, make eye contact, and use open, approachable gestures to convey confidence and enthusiasm. Nonverbal cues are just as important as what you say. Last year, I interviewed a candidate for a police officer for about 30 minutes. He looked down the entire time and never made eye contact with me. Needless to say, I didn’t hire him.

11. Chew Gum or Eat During the Interview

Imagine you’re in the middle of explaining your qualifications, but instead of focusing on your words, the interviewer is distracted by the sound of you chomping on gum. Eating or chewing gum during an interview is not just unprofessional—it’s downright distracting. Save the snacks for after the meeting and keep your mouth clear to communicate clearly and confidently.

12. Overuse Jargon or Buzzwords

You’re eager to sound knowledgeable, so you throw around terms like “synergy,” “outside-the-box thinking,” and “value-added.” While some industry language can show you know your stuff, overloading your answers with jargon can come across as insincere or pretentious. Instead, focus on plain, direct language that highlights your expertise authentically.

13. Forget the Interviewer’s Name

At the end of the interview, you say, “Thank you… uh… sir?” Forgetting the interviewer’s name can make you seem inattentive or uninterested. To avoid this faux pas, write down their name before the interview or make a mental note when they introduce themself.

14. Tell Inappropriate Jokes

You think cracking a joke will ease the tension, so you go for something edgy or sarcastic—and it falls flat. Humor can be a great icebreaker, but inappropriate jokes risk offending the interviewer or making you seem unprofessional. If you feel the need to inject humor, keep it light and relevant to the context of the conversation.

15. Overdo the Self-Promotion

While it’s important to highlight your achievements, constantly patting yourself on the back can make you come across as arrogant. For example, repeatedly saying, “I’m the best at everything I do,” might leave the interviewer rolling their eyes. Instead, let your accomplishments speak for themselves by sharing specific examples of your work and how it benefited your previous employers.

16. Overshare Personal Information

You’re asked a question about your strengths, but instead, you veer into a story about a family argument or your weekend plans. Oversharing personal details during an interview can derail the conversation and make you seem unprofessional. Stick to relevant experiences and information that showcase your qualifications for the job.

17. Fail to Smile or Be Personable

You’re so focused on being serious and professional that you forget to smile or engage warmly. While it’s vital to be polished, coming across as too stiff can make the interviewer feel disconnected from you. A genuine smile and friendly demeanor can go a long way in building rapport and showing that you’re competent and pleasant to work with.

18. Bring Up Salary or Benefits Too Early

In the middle of discussing your skills, you ask, “So, how much does this job pay?” While compensation is an important topic, bringing it up too early can make it seem like you’re only interested in the paycheck, not the role. Wait until the interviewer introduces the topic or until you’ve received an offer to discuss salary and benefits.

19. Answer Questions in a Monotone Voice

Although you technically answered all the questions, your lack of enthusiasm and flat tone made you sound uninterested. This left the interviewer questioning whether you even wanted the job. To show your passion for the role, speak with energy and excitement about your skills and experiences.

20. Ignore Cultural Fit

You give answers highlighting your technical skills but fail to demonstrate how you’ll fit into the organization’s culture. For instance, you emphasize your view on heavy enforcement in a department that values building positive relationships with the community. Research the department culture beforehand and tailor your responses to show you’ll thrive in their work environment. However, be true to yourself.

21. Lie About Your Views

After conducting thorough research on the department, you might feel tempted to tailor your answers about sensitive topics—such as police use of force, racial profiling, or facial recognition software—to align with what you think the interviewer wants to hear. While this approach might seem like a way to secure the job, being anything less than truthful can backfire. If hired, your actual beliefs and approach to these issues will inevitably surface, potentially leading to conflicts with colleagues, leadership, or the community. It’s far better to answer honestly and respectfully, even if your perspective differs, as this demonstrates integrity and fosters an environment of open dialogue and trust.

Final Thoughts

The Family Feud episode might have made us laugh, but beneath the humor lies a valuable reminder: small missteps during a job interview can lead to big, missed opportunities. A job interview is more than just a formal conversation; it’s your chance to demonstrate your skills, professionalism, and personality in a way that leaves a lasting impression.

By avoiding these 21 pitfalls, you’re not just avoiding mistakes—you’re actively shaping how the interviewer perceives you. Every thoughtful response, professional behavior, and confident interaction contributes to a narrative that says you’re prepared, capable, and excited to bring value to the organization.

Remember, the goal isn’t merely to survive the interview but to thrive in it. Approach each interview with preparation, authenticity, and enthusiasm. When you leave the room (or log off the virtual meeting), aim for the interviewer to feel confident and eager about the prospect of having you on their team.

Your dream job might be closer than you think—it’s just one strong, mistake-free interview away. Go in prepared, stay focused, and let your best self shine through.

Interview Preparation Help

If you’re gearing up for an important interview and want to ensure you’re fully prepared to make a lasting impression, I’ve got you covered. Whether you’re just starting to navigate the interview process or looking to refine and elevate your skills, my Interview Basics, Intermediate, and Advanced Programs are designed to meet you where you are and help you succeed.

These programs offer a step-by-step approach to mastering every aspect of the interview, from building a strong foundation in essential techniques to honing advanced strategies for tackling challenging questions with confidence. With personalized guidance, practical tools, and proven methods, you’ll walk into your interview ready to impress and stand out as the ideal candidate.

Check out the details of these programs here, and take the next step toward interview success!