The document provides tips on how to effectively manage self-disclosure during job interviews, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a confident demeanor and avoiding oversharing irrelevant personal details. It advises against magnifying weaknesses, expressing desperation, lying, or talking excessively, and suggests using the STAR method to structure responses. Preparation and focus on relevant qualifications are key to making a good impression and demonstrating suitability for the role.

1. Before you disclose too much
information at your next job interview,
check out these tips for what not to say.
Job interviews are your time to shine. But when it comes to
your next job interview, the big question really is – How
much could be too much information to disclose?
Self-disclosure in a job interview is not about baring your soul
or your personal life. It is about giving the interviewer a
sense of your true personality and how it suits the role you
are applying for.
By following these simple tips, you can make sure you
disclose just the right amount of personal information at
your next job interview.
What not to do
Magnifying your weaknesses
Don’t say you’re nervous or uncomfortable (even if you
are). You should always try and convey a confident, positive
demeanour. Focus on challenges you have overcome and
how you achieved that development.
Portray desperation
While you may feel like this is the last job left for you in the
entire world, the reality is that’s not true. Desperation is
rarely attractive, especially to employers. They want to hire
someone who wants that job because they will add value
to the company and they know they have the skills to do
the job well.
Over-share
Discussing things not related to your professional self is not
appropriate for interview. Topics to avoid include: future
holiday plans, why you disliked a previous employer, what
you had for dinner the night before, personal problems like
a breakup or sick children, how much you love your pet or
your views on religion or politics.
Lie
If you are nervous, or think your answer is not making
enough of an impact, don’t fall into the trap of
embellishment. Changing the facts, making results more
impressive or flat-out lying will not make you look better in
the long run and you would likely be caught out.
Keep talking
If you are a ‘talker’ consider the STAR method, and stick to
it with questions. Discuss the Situation, Task, Action and
Result and use that to demonstrate the skills or scenario
they are asking about. Embrace the silence at the end of
your answer, it provides the interviewers time to process
too. Remember to breathe.
If you find it hard to control the amount of personal
information you disclose, think about why you do it.
Are you unprepared for the interview and searching
for content to answer to the questions?
Do you talk fast and blurt things out
when you are nervous?
Are you worried your answers aren’t good enough
and maybe, if you keep talking, the length of the
answer will improve the quality?
Whatever the reason, inappropriate self-disclosure is not the
way to make a good impression in a job interview. Prepare
for the interview, and have answers to commonly asked
interview questions ready.
Remember, the fact that you have an interview indicates
that you are on a short list, and the selection panel want to
find out more about the relevant qualifications, knowledge,
skills and experience you have to do the job. This is your
opportunity to show them why you would be a great fit for
their company.
For more information or guidance on
interview techniques and career planning,
contact the Career Development team at
USQ Student Services.
usq.edu.au
careerhub.usq.edu.au
not disclose...
You shall
social.usq.edu.au
CRICOS: QLD00244B NSW02225M TEQSA: PRV12081 29.2.3 12.2015
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