1. 'I Am Just Here for the Money'


In China, it is very common for a lot of employees to work just for the money. This means they will leave if you fail to give them a raise or if their peers start to make a lot more money than they do. Our interview process has filtered this as much as possible but if we hear through the "grapevine" that the person is just doing the job for the money we will let them go very quickly.

- Derek Capo, CEO and Founder, Next Step China


2. 'You Never Told Me to Do It'


When something important doesn't get done, the worst thing you can say is, "You never asked me to do it." There are few better ways to neglect yourself of that promotion, a raise, or even job security.

- Ken Cauley, President, Advanced Media

.

.

3. 'There's Something Wrong'



It's easy to complain about what's wrong. It's hard to come up with solutions to fix the problem. My former manager at LivingSocial said, "Be a problem solver, not spotter," and I've taken this advice to heart in my everyday life. If you see a problem, don't address the situation with what's wrong; address the situation with an answer. If you don't have a real solution, wait until you do.

- Sarah Ware, Markerly

.

.

4. 'I Want to Do What's Easiest'



We have a client who had an employee literally explain that he would rather do a particularly menial task than the task that the employer had assigned because it would be easier for him. We were shocked. This is the most explicit way to alert your boss that you don't care about improving your skill set without directly telling him. Never do this if you care about your career!

- Patrick Conley, Founder / CEO, Automation Heroes

5. 'That Takes Up Too Much Time'



Through the years, we have had many operational restructurings that have required large amounts of data to be filtered and edited or re-formatted in some manner. There's nothing worse than an employee who complains about the amount of time required to move the company to the next level.

- Laura Land, CFO / COO, Accessory Export, LLC

.

6. 'I Could Be Doing Other Things'



Bratty much? Don't complain about your job. If you hate it, quit. If there's something wrong with it, find a way to fix it. If someone or something is really ticking you off, don't project your anger onto others, especially not your boss. If it's a good job, be grateful for it. If you want more out of your job, make it happen. Be diplomatic about it and make it your dream job, or leave.

- Danny Wong, Co-founder, Blank Label

7. 'I Promise to Do That'



Don't ever tell your boss you're able to do something if you know you may not be able to deliver. It is better to be honest, ask for advice and have a proactive attitude. If you fail to deliver, then it has negative repercussions for the business, which is taken much more seriously.

- Christopher Pruijsen, Co-Founder / Partnerships, Afrostart.io

.

8. 'It's Too Difficult'



I get fired up when someone is paralyzed and doesn’t complete a task because it’s difficult or because few others have done it. We’re a disruptive company that has to innovate, that has to do things few have done before us. One of my advisors here has a quote: “If it were easy, everyone would be doing it.” We won’t win if we don’t think big.

- Marcos Cordero, Chief Gradsaver, GradSave, LLC

.

9. 'I Agree to Disagree'



Whether it is said explicitly or passive-aggressively, this mindset has no place in startup culture. Those who have this mindset should either found their own startups or go work in big corporate America where this goes unnoticed. At a startup, you're either all the way in or all the way out.

- Danny Boice, Co-Founder & CTO, Speek

.

10. 'I Don't Have an Opinion'



The people who just sit and nod their heads are the ones who are expendable. If you want to make an impression as a valuable member of the team, offer your insights. No one ever agrees with his boss 100 percent all the time, so make your opinion known if you have something worth saying.

- Nick Friedman, President, College Hunks Hauling Junk and College Hunks Moving

11. 'I Can't'



I don’t want to hear excuses ever! We focus on hiring can-do, positive, creative employees with passion, drive and determination.

- Kuba Jewgieniew, Founder and CEO, Realty ONE Group

.

.

12. 'I'm Not Optimistic'



The most important thing for any team member is to stay optimistic. Being a pessimist and doubting the future of the company is a real downer. There is nothing wrong with being realistic; however, people who are melancholy suck the life out of an early-stage company and cannot last long.

- Raoul Davis, CEO, Ascendant Group

.

13. 'I'm Clocked Out'



There is nothing more discouraging to an entrepreneur than when an employee says he is not willing to go the extra mile because he isn't "clocked in." We remind our employees that they work for a young company and they are in control of their own careers. Acting within the status quo never gets you to the top!

- Darren Solomon, President, Kid Ventures

.

14. 'That's Not My Responsibility'



It’s critical that everyone feels invested in the success of all areas of the business. Everyone should be willing to pitch in, even if what’s required isn’t part of their normal day-to-day activities.

- Robert J. Moore, Co-Founder and CEO, RJMetrics

.

.

15. 'That's Not My Job'



Your responsibilities aren't limited to what was listed in your original job description -- especially at a startup. Unless your boss is asking you to do something illegal or unethical, you should do it.

- Mary Ellen Slayter, Founder/Managing Director, Reputation Capital

.

.

16. 'I Don't Like Working for Other People'



An employee actually told me that he didn't like working for other people. That person doesn't work for me anymore!

- Andrew Angus, CEO, Switch Video

.

.

17. 'I'm Not Working Hard'



I never want to know that someone who works for me isn’t working hard. People can disagree with me, and I’m fine to hear criticism. I’ll never lose respect for anyone because he disagrees with me or because they failed. I don’t want to know if someone is giving less than their best effort or that someone lied. I have high expectations of people when it comes to their work ethic.

- Dries Buytaert, Co-founder and CTO, Drupal


Source Here

This is what I really think

18. Pay me the money!!
This unlike the previous 17 must actually be said. Money is a very vital part of business and we employers like to know that our employees would do almost anything to get it. Including money rituals on behalf of the company.

In order for it to have the desired effect, it must be said in D'banj's voice. You remember the way he said it in the song "the entertainer" right? Yes. Say it out loud. This shows that you know what you deserve and you'd do anything to get it.

- Emorse
Active poster, Nairaland.
Copyright, 2013.

Great, but 7 and 11 are contradictory.
Knowing you may not be able to deliver should leave you with an "I can't" reply.

omaojo1: Great, but 7 and 11 are contradictory.
Knowing you may not be able to deliver should leave you with an "I can't" reply.

I think everything the OP has said can be summarized in one sentence. "Never say anything that implies that you're not ready to work". Unfortunately, there are no rigid rules as to what employers look for. Different strokes for different folks. So I'd rather just be myself and not worry about what my boss / interviewer thinks about me. That way I can be most productive and probably earn his respect.

Thanks to the OP for sharing though. No knowledge is useless.

emorse:

I think everything the OP has said can be summarized in one sentence. "Never say anything that implies that you're not ready to work". Unfortunately, there are no rigid rules as to what employers look for. Different strokes for different folks. So I'd rather just be myself and not worry about what my boss / interviewer thinks about me. That way I can be most productive and probably earn his respect.

Thanks to the OP for sharing though. No knowledge is useless.

You are welcome.

Great article.

topas100: Great article.

Thanks

coincidentally I was reading this same topic on forbes, Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Noted!

These seems more like what you should never say to a customer.

I am the Boss!!!!!!!!

letz get crious m here 4 d moni.

I guess this should'nt be an orientation 4 a nigerian. Forward it to chainaland.COM

Bossforeva: Definitely Not For Me! Period! Its better to go straight to the point and tell the man that will interview in SHELL that u are there for them to share the money equally and for u to share ur own share! Simple. Corpers this's my advice for you!

abi?

Definitely Not For Me! Period! Its better to go straight to the point and tell the man that will interview in SHELL that u are there for them to share the money equally and for u to have ur own share! Simple. Corpers this's my advice for you! Batch C corpers especially take note! VOTE AT MY SIGNATURE. Thanks!

what a lecture
OK now call me at www.1nairanetwork.com to know how best to say it, its breaking news,hot and fresh

Oga what of my salary?

don't and i repeat don't ever tell your boss i want to f**k you, take if from me, it dosen't end well.

oga please let me finish talking

Every one is in for the money abeg. Just wait till you start having responsibilities (if you are still young and earning 100 k) like kids school fees and stuffs, aged parents who need medical attention, mortgage loans,electricity bills, car maintenance bills e.t.c then you'll know that you're in it for the money.

Meanwhile a larger percentage of graduates earn below 60k and you expect them not to jump at a better offer when these responsibilities start coming. Dey there make pant dey wear you!

Warning: Still don't say it to your boss ooo!

18 ARE ENJOYING YOUR MARRIAGE BOSS?

i'm my own boss

A boss and his subordinate!

20. "am xory for coming late boss. I was busy f**kn ur wife". Suprisingly,ur boss will be like "Thats guts,u gat guts,we nid people with guts. No1 has ever stood up 2me like that. You're promoted"

'I nailed ur slutty wife bck den in sch....she wz truly d sch slut den'

Tinkybabe: Interviewer: So why do you want to work with us?

Me: In all sincerity,it's because of the money But I understand that nothing good comes easy hence I decided to gain knowledge and skills that would help me achieve this. Your company happens to provide the right platform for me to exhibit these skills and put my knowledge into use thereby making money .

I was only being sincere,would it be fair if I'm turned away?

A smart interviewer will then do a follow-up question along the line of:

How would you stay motivated if we fail to match your expectation monetarily since money is the key determinant factor in your chosen career