Table of Contents

1. Common Filler Words
2. Answer the Questions on Paper
3. Mirror Technique
4. Record Yourself

It’s understood that you should come across as professional in a job interview. Obviously, dressing appropriately is a big part of that, but how you speak is also a sign of your professionalism. You want to come across as confident and competent and using filler words can diminish that.

Common Filler Words

The most common filler words include:

• Ugh
• Um
• Like
• You know
• Right
• …or something
• Yeah

Of course, we all use filler words at some point when we’re talking, but these steps can help reduce how often you use filler words and eventually eliminate them completely.

Answer the Questions on Paper

Before you worry about anything else, give some thought to commonly asked interview questions such as “tell me about yourself.” Employers will want to hear why you want to work in the sector and what makes you a strong candidate for a role that likely involves some level of guest service.

Work on strengthening those responses by writing them down. The idea is to create a cohesive and concise narrative and putting pen to paper can help you get your thoughts organized. It can also help to cement those responses in your mind and make you more confident in your answers.

Mirror Technique

Now take that familiarity a step further. Interview yourself in front of a mirror. Try initially reading the answers to interview questions a few times. You’re not doing this to try to memorize what you’ve written. In fact, you shouldn’t try to memorize your responses. That will only lead to more stress in the interviews.

Instead, simply read your written responses aloud so you can better familiarize yourself with the trajectory of the narrative that you’ve created.

As you become more and more comfortable with what you’re going to say in reply to an interview question, there should be fewer moments when you use filler words as you decide what you’re going to say next.

Record Yourself

Next, set the mirror aside and get your phone out. You’ll want to record yourself answering these interview questions without your written responses or notes.  

Each time you record an answer, watch it immediately after. You’re looking to see what you could improve upon. However, you’re also watching the video to see if you’re still using filler words. If you are, identify when you’re using them.

Once you find a pattern in your use of filler words, go back and record those responses again, but this time make a conscious effort not to use those words. The first few times you do this, you may find that there are more pauses and silent moments in your answers as you try to avoid saying “um.” But if you continue to practice, the flow of your answers should become more natural.