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Filler words in interviews: the list, and how to stop saying “um”
Filler words are sounds and phrases that add no meaning: um, uh, like, you know, basically, actually. Hedges are phrases that soften a claim: I think, I guess, probably, if that makes sense. A few are normal in speech. In an interview, a lot of them make a correct answer sound unsure. The fix is to replace each one with a short pause.
How many filler words are in your answer?
Which filler words should you cut?
These are the fillers Superday Room's grader flags when it scores an answer, with what to do instead.
| Filler | Instead |
|---|---|
| um, uh, er, ah, hmm | A short silent pause |
| like | Cut it, or name the thing |
| you know | Cut it |
| I mean | Cut it, or restate cleanly |
| basically, literally, actually | Cut them |
| kind of, sort of | Say it directly |
| so yeah, okay so, alright so | Stop at the last real sentence |
| or something, and stuff, or whatever | Name the item, or stop |
| right? | Cut it; don't ask for agreement |
| pretty much | Be exact, or cut it |
What are hedges, and what should you say instead?
Hedges are phrases that soften a claim, like “I think” or “probably”. Replace them with a direct statement, or state your assumption once.
| Hedge | Instead |
|---|---|
| I think, I guess, I believe, I feel like | State it: “Net income falls by $6.” |
| maybe, probably, might be, could be | Commit, or give the assumption once: “Assuming 25% tax…” |
| I'm not sure, I don't know | “I'd approach it this way…” and reason it out |
| if that makes sense | Stop; let the interviewer ask |
| hopefully, I'd say, somewhat, kinda | Cut them |
What other wording weakens an answer?
Vague amounts and soft verbs. Use a number and a concrete verb instead.
| Weak | Stronger |
|---|---|
| a lot of, tons of, a bunch of | A number: “three”, “40%”, “$2M” |
| helped with, worked on, responsible for | A concrete verb: built, led, modeled, drafted |
| just, really, very, super | Cut it, or use a stronger word |
| honestly, to be honest | Cut it |
| great question | Start with the answer |
| passionate | Show it: what you did because you cared |
How do you stop saying “um”?
Measure it, replace each filler with a short pause, and open with your answer. Step by step:
- Measure it. Record a two-minute answer and count. Superday Room's grader starts flagging at two filler words in one answer, and treats more than about four per 100 words as heavy.
- Pause on purpose. A one-second silence sounds composed; "um" sounds like searching. Practice pausing where you'd normally fill.
- Start with the answer. Most fillers cluster at the start, while you decide what to say. Open with your conclusion: "Net income falls by $6."
- Slow down a little. The grader looks for a pace of about 130 to 165 words a minute; above about 185 it reads as nerves.
- Know the first sentence cold. For the questions you'll certainly get, rehearse the opening line until it's automatic.
- Re-record the same answer. Fillers drop fastest when you repeat one answer three or four times in a row.
How do you calm nerves before an interview?
Prepare until the first minute is automatic, then slow your body down just before you start. Nerves mostly show up as speed and fillers in the opening sentences, so a rehearsed opening and a slower breath do most of the work. Steps that help:
- Rehearse out loud, not in your head. Saying “Tell me about yourself” and “Walk me through a DCF” aloud several times makes them familiar, and familiar answers feel less risky on the day.
- Practice under mild pressure. Record yourself, set a timer, or have a friend ask the questions. Answering with a clock running is closer to the real thing than reading notes.
- Breathe out slowly before you answer. One slow breath, with the exhale longer than the inhale, lowers your pace before the first word.
- Get there early and set up. For a video interview, test the camera, microphone and lighting 15 minutes ahead. For an in-person superday, arrive early enough to sit for a few minutes.
- Use a pause instead of a filler. A one-second pause while you think reads as composure. Asking “Can I take a moment?” before a technical question is normal.
- Treat a mistake as recoverable. If you get a number wrong, say so and correct it. Interviewers watch how you recover as much as whether you slip.
For the day itself, see how a superday works and how HireVue video interviews work.
Practice on real interview questions: 53 free questions with short answers, or see how long each answer should be.
Frequently asked questions
- What are filler words?
- Sounds and phrases that add no meaning to what you're saying, such as um, uh, like, you know, basically and actually.
- How many filler words is too many in an interview answer?
- Superday Room's grader flags an answer once it has two filler words, and treats more than about four per 100 words as heavy.
- How do I stop saying um?
- Record yourself and count, replace each filler with a short pause, open with your answer, keep your pace around 130 to 165 words a minute, and repeat the same answer several times in a row.