As a job-seeker, there are some common interview mistakes to avoid when giving interviews, since a few differences in demeanor and behavior can make or break an offer. By being mindful of how you come off, you can leave a positive impression on recruiters and secure your dream jobs with ease. This article will go over all the common interview mistakes recruiters tend to see in their encounters with job applicants so you can avoid them and make the most of your opportunities.
Here are Nine Common Interview Mistakes to Avoid
Common Interview Mistake to Avoid #1: Not Being on Time
Punctuality is a prerequisite to forming a good impression. It signifies that an applicant is disciplined, can manage their time well, and cares about the opportunity they have been given.
If you are called in for an offline interview, look up the time it will take you to reach there in advance. Make sure you reach the interview’s location at least 15 minutes before the interview is scheduled. Additionally, before leaving for the interview, give yourself a buffer of an additional 15-20 minutes so you don’t get late in case you get held up by external circumstances.
On the other hand, if your interview is online, test your mic, camera, internet connection, and device battery at least 30 minutes in advance. Keep an internet hotspot ready in case you run into poor network. Make sure you have the meeting link or code and notify your point of contact in case you don’t receive it well in advance. Join the meeting 5 minutes in advance so you have room to troubleshoot if there are any issues.
Common Interview Mistake to Avoid #2: Being Unprepared
It is important to be well-prepared for your interview. Being unprepared will affect the quality of your interaction and answers poorly and prevent you from giving the interviewers an accurate and impressive picture of your experience and suitability for the role.
To avoid this, research the company and role before the interview. Familiarize yourself well with the job description and make mental pointers about how it is related to your current experience. Go over your resume and flesh out how you will explain your experience. Be strategic about what you do and don’t mention and always highlight relevant achievements, projects, skills, etc.
Common Interview Mistake to Avoid #3: Poor Grooming and Dressing Inappropriately
How you physically present yourself matters in an interview. Hygiene, neatness, and the appropriateness of your attire do add points to your overall impression. Recruiters need to see that you are someone who can be a good representative of their company.
Be sure to groom yourself well, such as neatly cut or well-manicured nails, a neat and professional hairstyle, clean and ironed clothes, and a subtle perfume or cologne. Avoid wearing bright or loud colors and stick to a light or neutral color palette. Depending on the company and profile, opt for formal or business casual attire. However, with business casual, keep things more on the side of business to be on the safe side.
Common Interview Mistake to Avoid #4: Talking Too Much
Talking too much might come off as rambling and dilute the precision of your answers. It might also come off as a sign of nerves and make you seem less poised and confident.
To avoid this, practice answering potential questions you might be asked in advance. Keep answers under 2-3 minutes and pay attention to how you structure them. Listen to questions carefully and only give the most important information to answer it and always be sure to highlight related skills and experience.
Common Interview Mistake to Avoid #5: Talking Too Little
On the other end of the spectrum is talking too little. This will prevent you from giving sufficient information to interviewers about your experience and capabilities and might cost you an offer.
Even if a questions can be answered with a yes or no, interviewers want context and explanations. Hence, flesh out your answers with relevant details to give a complete and accurate picture of what you bring to the table. Once again, try to at least dedicate 2 minutes to each answer and be strategic about what you do and don’t mention.
Common Interview Mistake to Avoid #6: Putting Things on Your CV or Resume You Are Not Confident About
Another common mistake interviewees make is overselling themselves in their resumes and CVs. This is a big no because it will make you appear dishonest if found out. Seasoned interviewers often have a good sense of when someone is being genuine and when someone does not have the experience they claim to have. Additionally, interviewers often ask multiple questions to understand your experience and will try to probe you if they want more details.
Hence, only put things you have meaningful experience with and be honest about your capabilities. Stick to what you know and avoid adding details you aren’t 100% sure about.
Common Interview Mistake to Avoid #7: Not Listening to Questions Carefully
Interviewees might also end up not listening to questions carefully due to pre-rehearsed scripts. This will reduce the quality of the answers you provide and will also give off the impression that you lack enough expertise to give adaptable answers about your work experience.
Hence, actively listen to questions. If you aren’t sure what the interviewer is trying to ask, ask them clarifying questions to understand what they’re looking for.
Common Interview Mistake to Avoid #8: Not Asking Questions
Another common interview mistake to avoid is not asking questions about the company, role, and team. Asking questions shows that you are enthusiastic and interested in the organization you are interviewing for.
Hence, make a list of questions you have about your new potential workplace and ask them at the end of the interview.
Common Interview Mistake to Avoid #9: Criticizing Your Previous Workplace
It is typical to ask why you are switching jobs when interviewing for a new position. People have many reasons for doing this, and unhappiness with their current workplace might be one of them. Hence, while answering such questions, interviewees might end up criticizing their workplace or colleagues. This leaves a negative impression and might make you come off as somebody who doesn’t adjust or work well with others.
Thus, focus on more optimistic reasons behind your switch, such as looking for more growth, wanting to experience a different side of your profession, upskilling yourself, etc.
Conclusion
Job-hunting and interviewing is a stressful and competitive process that requires preparation and strategy. One of the ways in which job-seekers can do this is by being mindful of common mistakes interviewees tend to make and steering clear of them during their interviews. A positive interview is crucial for leaving a good impression. Building a rapport often seals the deal and makes all the difference between the outcome two interviewees with similar skill sets achieve.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the most common mistake in an interview?Â
Some common interview mistakes include being unprepared, not being on time, poor grooming or dressing inappropriately, etc.Â
What to avoid during the interview?Â
Avoid talking too much or too little, criticizing your former workplace, not listening to questions carefully, and not asking enough questions.Â
How to overcome mistakes in an interview?Â
You can overcome mistakes in an interview by preparing in advance.Â
