Recruiters and interviewers react to the same psychological triggers that help us evaluate whether something is good or bad — including people.
So it’s no surprise you can sprinkle particular phrases throughout your job interview to increase your appeal as a candidate.
With that said, let’s cover the best things to say in a job interview to impress the interviewer and land yourself the job.
1. “I read your job description”
Letting the interviewer know you read their job description shows you took the time to properly evaluate the opportunity.
Most job seekers take a shotgun approach to their job search, and this leads to candidates showing up for interviews without any real understanding of the position or whether they’re even a good fit.
Using this phrase instantly separates you from the majority.
As before, the best time to drop this one is in response to an early interview question about your interest in the job, such as:
- Why should we hire you?
- Why do you want to work here?
- What do you know about our company?
Some examples:
“Well, after reading your job description, it almost felt like you were describing me when talking about your ideal candidate. The qualifications and experience requirements you listed are a near exact match to my credentials.”
“It occurred to me when reading your job listing that you placed a lot of emphasis on finding a dependable and reliable person to fill this position. I can say without a doubt that’s one of my biggest strengths.”
“I read your job description and saw that you mentioned you have 267 stores across the country. I dug into this a bit more and found that the majority of those outlets are based here, in Chicago. “
2. “I was looking at your website”
Similar to the last point, interviewers love it when you research their company because it shows you have a genuine interest in the business.
Candidates who take a proactive approach to learning about their potential employer are often candidates who stick around longer, make more of an effort to integrate, and actively seek out opportunities to progress in the company.
While name-dropping their website isn’t the only way to communicate that you’ve done this level of research, it’s probably the easiest and most effective way.
A good time to bring this up is in response to a question about the company or the opportunity itself, such as:
- Why do you want to work here?
- What made you apply for this opportunity?
- What do you know about our company?
Some examples:
“I was looking at your website and it’s clear your company is is a strong advocate for sustainability. As someone who takes a lot of pride in leading a sustainable lifestyle, being able to carry that into my professional life is something that truly excites me.”
“I took some time to learn as much about your company as I could. In fact, I was doing some research on your website and I found a page about the major rebrand your company underwent in 1991. It’s such a fascinating story and one that very few people seem to remember.”
“As you know, a lot of my recent experience is built on reaching leadership roles and I would love to continue that trend. I noticed your website placed a lot of emphasis on career development for employees and I think having that support is a huge factor at this stage of my career.”
3. “I’m excited about the opportunity”
Excitement is always a welcome emotion in the interview room because it usually means you’re more passionate, enthusiastic, and optimistic about the job.
Candidates who demonstrate these emotions and traits are often far more invested in the opportunity, which means they’re far less likely to show up late, miss shifts, or quit unexpectedly.
While there are many ways to show excitement, simply telling the interviewer how you feel about the job can be equally as effective.
Again, the best time to shoehorn this line is early on in the interview when you’re being asked questions like:
- What interests you most about this position?
- Do you have any experience in this industry?
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Some examples:
“I love the company ethos around teamwork and collaboration. I find that my best work comes from sharing ideas and seeking inspiration from others, so being able to work in an environment that facilitates that is what really excites me about this opportunity.”
“I spent the last 4 years working in this sector. During that time, I took on several different roles within the company and picked up a number of skills that I’m excited to bring to my new position, should I be successful.
You could also work this in during the latter stages of the interview, particularly as part of your end-of-interview questions.
For example:
“Yes, I do have a question. I’m super excited about the opportunity and I’m eager to get started. If successful, how soon would you have me start?”
4. “I’m a fast learner”
While this one might seem a little cliche, being a quick learner is a very real thing, and it will always mean something to employers if you can back it up.
Training new employees take up company resources, so those who respond quickly to their training ultimately take up fewer resources. The sooner you make the transition from being a liability to an asset, the better.
Mention this phrase in response to questions around your personality or character, or even questions that touch on skills and achievements, such as:
Remember, though, you can’t just say you’re a fast learner without any justification. You need to explain why you believe you’re capable of learning your duties faster than the average person.
Some examples:
“My greatest strength is being able to quickly learn and adapt to new environments. I think a lot of that comes down to having high attention to detail and strong work ethic — two character traits that have proven to complement each other well over the years.”
“My super power would be supersonic speed. I’m a naturally high-energy person and I tend to channel most of that into getting my work done way ahead of schedule, or even learning new skills at a rapid rate.”
“I’d love to improve my public speaking skills. In fact, I’m known for setting myself annual goals and many of those are to significantly develop a skill in a short time frame. Public speaking is next on the list.”
5. “I have experience”
Experience is, and always will be, one of the most important factors that determine whether or not you get the job.
Having experience—particularly if it’s in the same industry or role—means you’ll likely require less training, have a higher degree of competency, and stick around longer because you’ll know what you’re signing up for.
The best time to bring this up is when asked about yourself, particularly where the questions point towards experience or skillset, such as:
- Why should we hire you?
- What is your greatest accomplishment?
- What experience do you have in this industry?
As with the previous points, you can’t just say have experience and expect them to take it at face value, you need to give specifics.
Some examples:
“You should hire me because I have almost 7 years experience in your industry, and throughout that time I developed all of the essential skills needed for a role like this.”
“One of my greatest professional achievements was getting published in The New York Times. This spurred a flurry of new writing opportunities that would allow me to develop the wealth of experience I have today.”
“My first job was in manufacturing and I spent the first 2 years of my professional life learning the fundamantals of the industry. I still have a lot of that experience tucked away and I’m keen to build on it.”
6. “I’m flexible with my schedule”
Employees with a flexible schedule are valuable to an employer because it means they’ll always be ready to work when required.
Workplaces are dynamic environments, so having staff you can depend on to cover dropped shifts, work overtime when things get busy, and be available to work at a moment’s notice is extremely attractive from a hiring perspective.
Aside from being directly asked about your availability, you can imply this in response to questions that touch on personality or character traits, such as:
- How would you describe your personality?
- How would you describe your work ethic?
- What is your philosophy towards work?
- What would your superpower be?
- What animal would you be?
Some examples:
“I’d describe myself as adaptable and flexible, and that extends to my professional life as much as my personal life. I’m someone you can reliably throw into a situation to figure things out. I’m someone you can call on a moment’s notice.”
“My philosophy towards work is to always do my best work. That means showing up when I’m needed, getting my head down, and committing myself to the task at hand. No half measures.”
“If I could be any animal, I’d be a dog. Like dogs, I’m extremely loyal, especially when it comes to my place of work. That’s why I make a point to always be ready when I’m called to fill in.”
7. “I have a question for you”
Asking questions in a job interview shows you have a genuine interest in the job you’re applying for. It also shows you’re willing to put in the extra effort to carry out your due diligence and ensure the decision makes sense for both parties.
This is a big part of why the end-of-interview questions are such an important aspect of the interview process.
With that being said, this phrase allows you to squeeze in a question at almost any point in the interview, especially at the end of one of your answers (assuming it’s relevant).
It works particularly well for questions that seek out your knowledge of the company or role because it provides a natural segue for you to learn more.
- How did you hear about this opportunity?
- What do you know about our company?
- What do you know about this job?
Some examples:
“I heard about this opportunity through a friend who works in another branch, who also told me you’re looking to expand into my local town with three new locations next year. I actually have a question for you about that.”
“I saw on your website that you’re a very eco-friendly company and that you were featured on a top 100 list for best green companies in the United States. That reminds me, I wanted to ask you…”
“I’m also aware this job has been vacant for about a month now, and that you already tried to fill it in your previous hiring round. I do have a question about that if I may?”
8. “Thank you for the opportunity”
Recruiters and hiring managers are aware that many people show up to job interviews because they feel social or financial pressure; they’re not really all that grateful for the opportunity.
When you consider that most interviewers spend a fair amount of time vetting applicants before selecting them for an interview, it’s not hard to see why a little gratitude goes a long way.
The best time to bring this up is either at the very start or the very end of your job interview, though preferably the latter as it leaves a more lasting impression.
Some examples:
“Thank you for the opportunity. It was really nice talking to you and I look forward to hearing from you.”
“I can only imagine how difficult it must be to sit through countless interviews to find the right person. Whether or not that person is me, I want you to know I‘m thankful for having the chance to throw my hat in the ring.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to sit down and show you what I can bring to the company.”
9. The Interviewer’s Name
There’s not a word in the English language that hits quite like hearing your name. It’s the single most powerful sound in human communication.
Using a person’s name in conversation is the easiest, most effective way to grab attention and build rapport. It also significantly increases the odds they will like you and become more agreeable — which is why it’s commonly used in sales.
It stands to reason then, that using it in a job interview would have an equally powerful impact… and it certainly does!
The best time to bring this up is every so often throughout your interview. It doesn’t need to be at the end of every sentence or even every answer you give, but try to throw it as often as naturally possible.
Some examples:
“That’s a really thought-provoking question, John!”
“Well, John, I think I’m the right person for the job because….”
“Thank you again for the opportunity, John.”
These Are the Best Things to Say in a Job Interview
If you aren’t sure what to say in an interview to impress the recruiter or hiring manager, stick to this list for the most impactful phrases.
All things being equal, the candidate who employes these little “language hacks” will almost always come out on top.