When interviewing for a new job, it is important that you walk the walk (look professional) but also that you talk the talk (ask the right questions and give the right answers). In order to do the latter, avoid topics such as sex, politics, and religion unless they are directly relevant to the position (they almost never are) as well as the following:
* Getting to the interview: The interviewer wants to know if you're the best candidate for the position, not how hard it was for you to get the interview.
* Compensation: Don't talk about compensation unless the interviewer raises the subject. You're far better off waiting for the employer to extend an offer to you before you raise the issue of compensation because at that point the power is in your hands.
* Your Old Boss: You do want to talk about previous experiences which are relevant to this position, but you don't want to talk negatively about previous superiors or employers. The interviewer knows that if you bad mouth another boss, you'll bad mouth the interviewer when you're next interviewing for a position.
* Your Significant Other: It is incredibly rare when your relationship with your significant other, friends, or family are relevant to a position, so leave them and your thoughts about them outside of the interview room.
* Health: Talk about your heath condition only if it is relevant to the position and you want the employer to make some type of reasonable accommodation for you. Otherwise, talk about the condition with your physician, not the interviewer.
* The Latest Joke: If the interviewer starts joking around with you, feel free to joke around with her as well but keep your humor G-rated and turn it off immediately when the interviewer first gives a signal that she wants to get down to business. Usually, it is best not to joke around. The upsides are few and the downsides are great.
* How You Look: Even if you feel like you look horrible on the day of the interview, don't mention it. The interviewer is more concerned about your ability to do the job than in the almost invisible mustard stain on your pants.
