Everyone wants to sound impressive in a job interview. We get it. But there’s a difference between highlighting your strengths and bluffing your way through. In fact, one of the fastest ways to lose credibility with a recruiter is by using buzzwords you can’t back up.
We recently interviewed a candidate for a customer-facing role. Early in the conversation, she described herself as a data-driven professional.
That’s a great quality… if it’s true.
So we asked a simple follow-up:
“What were your main KPIs in your last role?”
Her answer?
“There were a bunch, but I don’t really remember their names.”
No numbers. No specifics. No examples. Just a buzzword with nothing behind it.
When candidates can’t support their own claims, recruiters don’t just assume forgetfulness: they assume exaggeration. Especially with terms like data-driven, which are often overused and underexplained.
Being vague sends the wrong message:
- That you didn’t really engage with your past work
- That you’re trying to bluff your way through
- That you say what you think interviewers want to hear, instead of the truth
And here’s the thing: saying something like, “I’m not sure of the exact number, but I can tell you what I focused on,” would’ve gone a long way. Being honest and showing your willingness to grow is far more impressive than trying to fake fluency.
If you want to stand out in interviews, forget the buzzwords. Instead:
- Talk about real results you contributed to
- Share 1–2 metrics you remember clearly (even if they’re simple, like response time or customer satisfaction)
- Be honest if you don’t remember something, but show how you tracked progress or learned from it
The best interviews are based on conversation, not performance. Being real always beats being rehearsed. Don’t claim to be something you’re not. Recruiters will ask follow-ups. The best pitch is always the truth.
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