Don’t Make Assumptions

Don’t Make Assumptions

This is a good piece of advice to follow in life, but it also has a special place in an 

interview setting. You want to be viewed as someone who understands what is necessary 

and can deliver the expected results – more than just in the interview room – and making 

assumptions will not guarantee you will be viewed like this.

The easiest and best way to avoid assumptions is to ask for clarification. If a question is 

asked that is ambiguous or you aren’t sure what they mean, ask them to explain it 

to you. Sometimes, without meaning to, an interviewer will use company jargon or 

acronyms in a question or conversation. You can respond by saying, “I’m sorry, I’m 

not familiar with that term, could you explain it to me please?” Not only will this show 

that you are paying attention but it will also demonstrate that you have an interest in the 

company and what they are about.

When you are answering a question and you need to include company-specific 

terminology, be sure to explain what you mean. In addition, you cannot assume that your 

the interviewer will know what you are talking about either. Take a moment to either set up 

your answer with the required information to understand what you are talking about or 

pause and explain certain phrases or words. Better yet, if you can use common terms in 

the place of company-specific ones, it is the preferable way to go.

Lastly, don’t assume that the job is in the bag. No matter how confident you are that you 

are the most qualified person for the position – it isn’t yours until you have received a job 

offer. Make the best impression you have and keep the mindset that you are still 

competing for the job and selling yourself accordingly.