Question of the Day: What word or phrase do your candidates use that drive you crazy?

In follow up to today's RBC Daily:

There was an interesting Marist poll released last Friday that listed the most annoying words in English conversation. Any guesses on the winner? "Whatever" topped the list at 38% from the national poll. Others that made the list were “like”, "you know", and "seriously".

As recruiters we talk to numerous people day in and day out so it makes for a great question of the day: what word or phrase do your candidates use that drive you crazy and are akin to nails on a chalkboard

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Permalink Reply by Sandra McCartt on December 19, 2011 at 5:12pm

"that offer (or that candidate) sounds like it might be interesting, can I call you back next week?

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Permalink Reply by Michael North on December 19, 2011 at 5:53pm

("Truthfully" or "To tell you the truth"), usually used by candidates when they are adjusting their responses after we've uncovered inconsistencies in their timelines or stories.

Here's an all time classic candidate phrase, "I can't remember the names of the companies where I applied or sent my resume" (A possible indication of a poor memory, difficult personality or lack of direction)

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Permalink Reply by Valentino Martinez on December 20, 2011 at 12:30am

"I have good news and bad news."

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Permalink Reply by Valentino Martinez on December 20, 2011 at 1:36am

Or, ..."Guess what?"

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Permalink Reply by Recruiting Animal on December 20, 2011 at 9:35am

Megan Bell said: I can't stand "basically"

Right on, dear. It is so superfluous. Moronic.

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Permalink Reply by Recruiting Animal on December 20, 2011 at 9:36am

I'm say: To tell you the truth

I"m say: Guess what!

These are acceptable expressions.

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Permalink Reply by Recruiting Animal on December 20, 2011 at 9:38am

"You know" is moronic but I must admit that I say it all the time.

I even say "Okay" which means that I have watched too much Southpark.

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Lisa A, Doorly said:

I can't stand when candidates say "You know" - I want to scream "No I don't know - that's why we are speaking" - the other one that drives me crazy is "that type of thing" - I had a candidate say that 40 times (I counted) during an interview.

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Permalink Reply by Recruiting Animal on December 20, 2011 at 9:42am

I'm with you on Orientated dear but I think it has become part of the standard lexicon.

I have never heard "programize a phone" before but I like it so much I think I'll start using it myself.

Just like "urinize". I heard it once on Howard Stern and it immediately became standard usage.

So did "agreeance" after I saw it used by Freddie Durst from Limp Biscuit (or however they spell it).

Speaking of spelling: When I see someone use "loose" for "lose" I have to force myself not to lose all respect for him.

Terra said:

So many and so little room. My all time favorite is "Orientated" of course there are those who "stood at home today" and some who do not know how to "programize a phone". I agree with Lisa "you know' and of course "like" are big culprits. I also agree with Kelly about Cliches "I am a team player", “I work well with people”.

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Permalink Reply by Recruiting Animal on December 20, 2011 at 9:48am

Darryl Dioso said: I hate Cover Letterss that begin with "In these troubled times" or similar.

Man I hate it when people say "In this day and age". In one office I worked at we had a little creep there who said it on the phone all the time all day long.

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Permalink Reply by Recruiting Animal on December 20, 2011 at 9:49am

Matt Anderson said: I hate "conversate" and "whatnot"

I think I might like conversate. Can you give us some examples of its use?

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Permalink Reply by Steven G. Davis on December 20, 2011 at 9:54am

"to be honest"...well hell, I thought we were being honest!!!!

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Permalink Reply by Amy Ala Miller on December 20, 2011 at 4:54pm

I've been getting this one a lot lately - "I'm the most qualified candidate". Really? You've been snooping in my ATS? You've seen EVERY possible candidate out there...?