After sending out resumes and applying to open positions, you have landed the interview and have a chance to impress the hiring manager in an interview. This can be the make or break point for you or the employer. The worst thing you can do is mess up the interview by making a silly mistake. By learning about the most common interview mistakes for candidates to avoid, you can set yourself up for success and land your dream job.
1. Talking Too Much
Arrive clear headed and mentally sharp for your interview. Get a good night’s sleep and eat before you go. That way, you can listen to the question and directly answer it. You want to show that you are a good communicator that will add value to the team. Talking too much can cause you and the interviewer to lose focus. You also risk overwhelming the interviewer with information, making it harder for them to evaluate your skills, experience, and potentially fit for the role.
2. Not Arriving on Time
You should never be late for an interview. However, you should also not be too early either. Aim to arrive early, but no more than 10-15 minutes before your scheduled interview time. This gives your interviewer a chance to finish up what they are working on and have time to get collected to be ready to meet with you. Arriving too early is unnecessarily disruptive to their day, while arriving late shows that you are unprofessional and do not value the opportunity.
3. Not Being Prepared
Before your interview, you should research the role and the company. That way, you go into the interview informed and can intelligently contribute to the conversation. It also shows the interviewer that you are interested. You should also bring a copy of your resume. Not all interviewers ask for it, but if they do, you will be prepared. In addition, you should have a few questions ready for the interviewer. At some point, they will ask if you have any questions for them, and you need to have something. Thinking of questions in advance will help you readily respond, avoid awkward silence, and show that you are prepared.
4. Not Having the Right Energy
The purpose of an interview is to determine if you and the company would be a good fit. If you lack energy during the interview, the interviewer may assume that you are not that engaged or interested. This can lead them to consider other people over you. In contrast, being overly energetic or enthusiastic can also have a negative effect. This can lead the interviewer to think you are desperate and willing to take anything. This could lead to them assuming you are being disingenuous or making a lower compensation offer.
5. Talking Negatively About Previous Employers
Your future employer does not want to hear you talk negatively about your previous employers. While you can’t avoid talking about past employment, you need to do it professionally. When talking about your previous employers, focus on turning negatives into positives. Talk about what you learned from the experience and how you gained new skills to bring to the new position.
6. Dressing Inappropriately
This is a common mistake because it can be difficult to gauge what is appropriate and what is not. The general guideline is to always dress professionally in formal business attire. However, you can follow industry standards that might dictate something slightly different. You could also research the company and find out what their dress code is, then wear something a step more formal.
Avoid the Most Common Interview Mistakes
By avoiding these common interview mistakes, you set yourself apart from the other candidates that the interviewer will speak with. This gives you an excellent foundation to build on to make yourself memorable in a good way. That way, the hiring manager can accurately determine if you would be a good fit for the available role.
Work with the recruiters at BOS Staffing and be ready for your next interview.
