You walk into a job interview knowing you’ve only got one shot. Your resume got you through the door, but now every word counts. And according to one business management expert, three answers can instantly disqualify you — no matter how qualified you actually are.
“Sudden death” answers, Suzy Welch calls them. Responses so tone-deaf, generic or self-defeating they instantly lead to rejection by recruiters. And in a tough hiring market, candidates can’t afford unforced errors.
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“The job market today is challenging, and people are having to work hard just to land interviews,” Welch, a business professor at New York University and acclaimed author, wrote in an article for CNBC [1]. She’s also CEO of Becoming You Media. “That’s why once you’re in the door, every answer has to hit right.”
So, what are these fatal mistakes, and what should you say instead?
The three ‘sudden death’ answers
Welch lays out the fatal interview responses. In each case, the problem isn’t just the words, it’s what they represent. These answers, she says, signal to employers you haven’t done your homework, you’re not invested in the role or you lack initiative.
1. ‘I want to start my own business someday’
To a recruiter, that sounds like you may already be planning your exit. Companies know new hires can take years to pay off, so if you hint you’ll leave early, they might think twice about taking the risk. A better way to show ambition, Welch says, is showing an intention to satisfy your ambition in the company you’re interviewing with.
2. ‘I value work-life balance and self-care’
Everyone wants balance, but framing it as your top priority could cause managers to question your drive. Welch suggests an answer that acknowledges the need for balance but prioritizes growth, quality work and a high-performing team atmosphere.
3. ‘I was let go as part of my company’s recent layoffs’
This can raise doubts about why you weren’t reassigned. Instead, consider framing the layoff as a stark reminder about the need for upskilling to stay as relevant as possible in a highly dynamic and competitive environment.
Read more: How much cash do you plan to keep on hand after you retire? Here are 3 of the biggest reasons you’ll need a substantial stash of savings in retirement
Surviving the hiring gauntlet
In a loose job market, recruiters might be more forgiving. But the U.S. job market has become stagnant. Unemployment has remained relatively low — 4.3% as of August — but hiring also seems to have stalled. The number of those remaining jobless for 27 weeks or more increased to 1.9 million, the highest level since December 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The amount of unemployed workers also outnumbered job openings in July of this year, the first time that’s happened since April 2021.
Geopolitical concerns, supply chain disruptions and high inflation are factors that can lead companies to hold back on spending and take a cautious approach to hiring. The increased adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, arguably, may also have an impact.
If you’re in the market for a new job right now, you may be among those feeling squeezed. But there are ways to boost your odds even in a sluggish, unforgiving hiring environment:
Do your homework: Before any interview, know the company’s core business, recent news and challenges in the industry. This knowledge lets you ask sharp questions and stand out as prepared.
Refine your answers: Prepare stories that show your skills in action, such as times you solved a problem, led a project or delivered results. Vague answers get forgotten; stories get remembered.
Learn to use AI tools: Data from Revelio Labs shows AI adoption in job requirements is on the rise, particularly in senior-level roles [2]. But no matter what type of job you’re seeking, learning to use AI tools is becoming more beneficial.
Show genuine interest: Employers want to see that you care about their mission, not just the paycheck. Even if money is your motivator, find a way to connect the role to your skills and goals.
Play the long game: In poor job markets, rejection is common. Keep applying broadly, networking consistently and refining your approach. Treat each interview as practice that sharpens you for the next one.
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[1]. CNBC. “Never give these 3 ‘sudden death’ answers at a job interview, says CEO—you’ll ‘instantly disqualify yourself’”
[2]. Revelio Labs. “Is AI responsible for the rise in entry-level unemployment?”
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