No job interview is flawless. One of good techniques preparing for your upcoming job interview is learning from others’ mistakes and knowing how to avoid these common mistakes.
This article reviews and discusses common mistakes made in an interview and provides tips on how to avoid these interviewing mistakes.
After reading this article, you may be interested in reading the article: what to say and what not to say in an interview.
You’ve worked hard to get to that job interview.
You passed many obstacles and now it is your time for the face to face interaction with this potential employer. You don’t want to miss this opportunity and screw it up.
Read further..
20 Common interview mistakes to avoid – the biggest job interview mistakes
The following are the ost common mistakes people make in interviews – the biggest make or break interviewing mistakes:
1. Lack of a good preparation: A research failure and lack of knowledge are the first mistakes one want to avoid. One has to prepare himself making a good research on the company, the position and for every related questions that may be asked. Therefore, refine your answers to the technical questions, the hard questions and to the frequently asked interview questions. The more you practice, the more professional answers you deliver.
2. Failure to highlight your achievements: you should provide good examples of your background and skills against the position. Why you are good fit for the position? Sell yourself. Take the opportunity to talk about your past experience and achievements - sell yourself to the said position.
3. Few words answers or talking too much: uttering unexpected answers like saying the wrong things, wrong ideas, too-short-answers or at the opposite too-long-answers are the guaranteed ways to get eliminated from consideration.
4. Arriving late: avoid arriving late to job interviews. Though it may happen because of many good reasons, you should apologize first for recovering from this first interaction failure.
5. Dressing inappropriately: you should dress for an interview success as your job interview dress code is the first impression you make. So, show up like one who really wants the job.
6. Body language failures: a poor eye contact, bad handshake, sitting inappropriately and not smiling naturally are the best recipes for losing a job interview. Don’t let nerves get the better of you – relax before an interview. Smile when it seems the right time and keep an eye contact with the interviewer as these little things make a difference.
7. Lack of integrity – un-loyal – a complainer: avoid negative speeches and complain – don’t say bad things about previous jobs and employers as this reflects back to you. The first impression you create when you’re negative about someone is that your loyalty and integrity is questionable. How you speak about your previous employers gives an idea of how you’ll speak about the next employers.
8. Interrupting the interviewer: you should firstly listen carefully to the interviewer questions before answering. You want your answers to be precise and professional. Therefore, respond only after you fully understand the question.
9. Rambling the answer to weaknesses and strengths: refer to the article how to answer weakness and strength question.
10. Bringing up personal details: when answering the questions “tell me about yourself” candidates sometimes think the interviewer wants personal stories – sadly this is not the case. In fact, this is one of the most common interview mistakes. Be sure you have a set clear story about – who you are, what you are about this career and most importantly what you want to achieve from this position. Therefore, avoid offering irrelevant personal details unless you are asked. Refer to the article interview question tell us about yourself.
11. Failure to ask good questions: when it is your turn to ask questions, you should show your interest about the job by asking intelligent questions about the job opportunities and the position duties. Asking questions clearly indicates that you have done your homework about the organization. However, do not ask too many questions for the sake of asking questions – connect yourself to the job and take the initiative to ask technical questions and other questions that present your ambitious to advance your career.
12. Asking about salary: you should avoid asking about salary during an interview unless and until the interviewer mention this issue. You don’t want the employer think that all you are interested in is how much they pay. Many interviewers want have some details about your salary expectations so let them make the first move. You may ask about salary range only after several interview interactions And at the very end of an interview as a ‘curious’ question.
13. Being unprofessional: do not forget why you are there – keep it professional and be serious. Though some interviews are set in a comfortable atmosphere that may trick you, remember to focus on your objectives and the said job description.
14. Not asking about the next interviewing process: once the interview has concluded, you should state that you are interested in the job and like to know about the next interview stage. Let the interviewer know your thoughts don’t let him guess that the job is in your best interests.
15. Smoking before the interview: it smells and draws a negative impression before you even start the interview.
16. Answering cell phone calls in an interview: this is one of the biggest interview mistakes and one of the worse manners. You don’t want the interviewer wait for you to hang up the cell-phone during the job interview. Needless to say that answering a call during an interview is the worse thing you can do.
17. Failure to show an interest and motivation about the said job: and about the company and the profession. Your answers as well as your questions as an interviewee should reflect your enthusiasm about the industry that you are applying for. The attitude is one of the ‘must have’ interactions between two professionals. Therefore, lack of passion and failure to show ambition is one of these job interview mistakes you want to avoid.
18. Over confidence: an inflated ego drives bad reactions and antagonism. Do not exaggerate your achievements – be honest and humble. Many employers follow up asking your references about every aspect you have provided them.
19. Lying: lies have short legs. If the interview goes to delicate topics, the best way is being honest and mature enough to handle these questions properly. The employers may call your references and other colleges to verify your answers.
20. Not following up after the interview: if you don’t follow up with a thank you email/note or a letter after an interview, you may miss a good opportunity to present your interest about the said job. Read follow up after interview.
