Most Common Interview Mistakes…
Here are the most common job interview mistakes and errors a candidate for employment can make.
Dressing Inappropriately
When you attend your interview, it’s important to look professional and polished. Although your attire may vary based on the position you’re applying for, it’s important to look well-dressed and put together, no matter what the company.
Arriving Late
First impressions are very important in landing a job. Running late not only suggests poor time management skills, but shows a lack of respect for the company, the position, and even your interviewer.
Budget your time so that you make it to the interview five to ten minutes early.
Bringing a Drink with You
If you need to fuel up, do it before you get to the interview.
Having a drink in front of you creates the opportunity for distraction — fiddling with the cup, or missing a question while taking a sip, for example. And although it may be a relatively unlikely possibility, bringing a drink into your interview also gives way to other unsightly accidents — like spilling the drink on the desk, on you, or even your interviewer.
Using Your Phone During the Interview
Before you get to your interview, turn you phone off, resist the temptation to check it if you get a message or call.
Not Knowing Anything About the Company
Background information including company history, locations, divisions and a mission statement are available in an “About Us” section on most company websites. Review it ahead of time, then print it out and read it over just before your interview to refresh your memory. Also check the company’s LinkedIn page, Facebook page, and Twitter feed, if they have one.
Fuzzy Resume Facts
Make sure you know the information you will need to complete an application including dates of prior employment, graduation dates, and employer contact information.
Review the facts before your interview. If you need to, take the time to recreate your employment history, so your resume is accurate.
The more truthful you are on your resume, the better you will be able to discuss your past experience during your interview.
Not Paying Attention
Don’t let yourself zone out during an interview. Make sure you are well-rested, alert, and prepared for your interview.
Getting distracted and missing a question looks bad on your part. If you zone out, your potential employer will wonder how you will be able to stay focused during a day on the job, if you can’t even focus during one interview.
Talking Too Much
There is nothing much worse than interviewing someone who goes on and on and on… The interviewer really doesn’t need to know your whole life story. Keep your answers succinct, to-the-point and focused and don’t ramble — simply answer the question.
Not Being Prepared to Answer Questions
Be prepared to answer the most frequently asked interview questions
Don’t let yourself be caught off guard. Prepare for your interview by reviewing what questions to expect, and how to answer them.
Be prepared with a list of questions to ask the employer so you’re ready when you asked if you have questions for the interviewer. Take a look, as well, at the questions you should not ask during a job interview and here are the worst interview answers that you should avoid at all costs.
Badmouthing Past Employers
Don’t make the mistake of badmouthing your boss or co-workers. It’s sometimes a smaller world than you think and you don’t know who your interviewer might know.
When you’re asked hard questions, like “Tell me about a time that you didn’t work well with a supervisor. What was the outcome and how would you have changed the outcome?” or “Have you worked with someone you didn’t like? If so, how did you handle it?” don’t fall back on badmouthing other people. Instead, review how to answer difficult questions.
