All eyes will be on you at your next interview, and the last thing you want to do is make those eyes roll. Trite interview answers can do just that, and can take you from up-and-coming prodigy to bottom-of-the-pile fodder.

Show you think like a real, independent person by avoiding these overused interview answers that can hurt your hirability:

1. “I’m a hard worker.” You and everyone else (and if you were actually lazy, no one would expect you to admit it during a job interview). But hard work has a different meaning to everyone, whether it’s working long hours, accepting extra assignments, or just showing up on time. This trait is only quantifiable with an example from your work history that shows what hard work means to you.
2. “I’m a team player.” This may seem like a great phrase to use, since companies rely on teamwork. But it has pitfalls. For starters, wording it this way is an instant cliché, even if the statement is true about your work habits. (And the truth is, not everyone thrives in a team setting; some people work best on their own.) It’s better to give examples of stellar communication skills or when you shined as part of a team. Are you a natural motivator? Can you delegate according to ability?
3. “I’m a fast learner.” What you’re really saying is, you either know you don’t have experience with something in the job description, or you suspect your experience might not be up to par. So instead of making it the company’s responsibility to educate you, take steps to compensate for your lack of knowledge. For example, if the job description asks for proficiency in software you don’t know, you can share that you’ve begun an online tutorial series or enrolled in a community-college class to get a head start on learning.
4. “I’m a perfectionist.” This is probably not your greatest weakness (and interviewers are wise to that fake out by now), but if it is, you may not want to admit it. Perfectionist employees are notoriously difficult to manage, as they can get bogged down by the details, and may let fear of failure stand in the way of their achievements. And as a personality trait, perfectionism is unlikely to go away on its own. So it’s better to not bring this to the table at all.
5. “I’m a perfect fit.” Presumptuous much? See, perfect is so lofty a word that it will always fall short of its goal. Plus your interviewer will be the one deciding this, not you. And if the interviewer disagrees that you are perfect, your understanding of the position may be called into question. There are also factors happening behind the scenes that may not be so perfect; even if your resume fits the position, you may be a total mismatch with the company’s culture. So rather than a sweeping and overconfident statement, try matching specific examples from your job history to specific requirements in the job description.

When it comes to an interview, it’s always better to “show, don’t tell” your experience, and to avoid those tired interview answers. Use originality to maximize your hirability!