Many writers and experts have broached the topic of what to do during a job interview to increase your chances of landing a job offer. The articles talk about the right things to wear and the best documentation to take with you. However, few people discuss what not to do or what not to say. Some things are better left unsaid and some topics are absolutely taboo when speaking to a potential employer. The following are some of the most common topics that a person should never bring up during a job interview:

Why the applicant hated the last job

One of the biggest mistakes made by interviewees is speaking unfavorably about their former employers. Some applicants may think that they are winning the favor of the prospective employer by downplaying the last employer, but the opposite is usually the case. Potential employers are often put off by a candidate’s outright disregard for the privacy of the former employer and are concerned that the applicant will do the same with that company one day.

Religious topics

Religious issues and politics have always been kept separate from the workplace as much as possible. And that need for separation increases with each passing year. It is politically incorrect to talk about politics and religion at work. Therefore, an applicant may want to steer clear of such talk during their interview. Some applicants may feel that honesty is the best policy when it comes to informing the employer that they observe religious holidays. Some employers will respect you and hire those people anyway. Other employers will see the information as a red flag.

Disability information

A person’s disability is not something that needs to be mentioned in a job interview unless the prospective employer asks about it, which is not likely to happen. The reason disability information is not a good topic to present is that it could allow possible discrimination. The disabled employee is left open for the employer to hire another person for fear of medical leave and accommodations.

Plans that are not long-term

Prospective employers want to hire people who will stay with a company for the long term. Anything that goes against that expectation is reckless. An applicant should not mention plans to move or find a higher paying job elsewhere. While that sounds like common sense, many applicants are guilty of providing too much information during interviews.

personal information

Finally, giving personal information to a potential employer is like “too much information”, part two. A potential employer doesn’t want to hear about marital problems, non-work activities, family problems, and the like.

What to mention during an interview

Job skills, positive personality traits, accomplishments, and talents are the things a potential employer wants to hear. Potential employers want to know how the applicant’s wealth of skills can help lower the cost of new employee training. They also want to know how hiring the applicant can help the business prosper. Anything other than that is counterproductive and does not put the applicant in the best of lights.