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Interview Center
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Avoid the Top 10 Interview Mistakes
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The best way to avoid the most common and dangerous interview mistakes is to
think ahead and decide not to make them... Read on for a whistle-stop tour of
the top ten interview clangers!
1.
Lying
Although it's tempting, it doesn't work. By all means gloss over
the unflattering things. But out-right fibbing NEVER pays.
Mark Twain
said: "If you tell the truth, you never have to remember anything." Think about
it. They will catch you out later.
2. Slating your
current company or boss
Fed up with your current job and would give
anything to leave because they've treated you badly? Your job interview is NOT
the time to seek revenge. Bear in mind that the interviewer will be listening to
your answers and thinking about what it would be like to work with you. Ask
yourself: do you like working with people who constantly criticise others? Isn't
it a bit wearing? The trouble is that the interviewer draws massive conclusions
from your answers. So your throwaway comment about your boss or employer may be
interpreted to be your "standard" way of thinking. It makes you look bad, not
your employer.
3. Being Rude
If you
find you were accidentally rude, then apologise calmly and genuinely. Then leave
it behind you and get on with the rest of the interview. If you dwell on it, it
will affect your performance. What's "rude"? Well, that depends on your
audience. As a rule of thumb, avoid cracking jokes about potentially sensitive
topics and beware of being too "pally" with the interviewer: polite and friendly
is enough. After all, you're not in the pub with them. So stay professional.
Also bear in mind that everyone you meet could be involved in the selection
process. So blanking the receptionist or talking down to the junior members of
staff could cost you the job.
4.
Complaining
Ok, so your train journey might have been a nightmare and
maybe you thought the tube would never arrive, or the tailbacks on the motorway
were endless. But your interviewer doesn't want to know that!
Complaining,
even in jest, is not a recommended icebreaker. It may be completely harmless, or
it might simply make the interviewer switch off. Don't let complaining set the
tone for the interview!
5. Talking about people
you don't get on with at work
These days, it's common to be asked how
you deal with conflict. Companies realise the importance of interpersonal
relationships in the working environment. So if they ask you about difficult
people or situations, make sure you hold back from character assassination and
blaming others for problems because it won't do you any favours! If you
accidentally do "break" this rule, apologise and explain what you "really"
meant.
6. Not Being Prepared
Re-read the
relevant version of your CV and the job advert, just before the interview. You'd
be surprised how many people can't remember what they wrote on their CV. And if
you remember what type of person the job advert was looking for, it's easier to
demonstrate that you have those qualities.
Make sure you've brought with you
anything you were asked for. It's fine to bring a note-pad and pen, but make
sure they're tidy. It's even ok to bring notes with you; particularly if you
have any questions you want to ask. It shows you're taking the job application
seriously. Ill-prepared candidates rarely get job offers.
7. Appearing to be too nervous, or too confident
If
you appear too nervous they'll think you're not confident enough to do the job.
However, appearing too confident will make them think you won't fit into the
team. If interview nerves are an issue for you, it's worth getting practical
help from a professional, such as an interview coach.
8. Making a weak first impression
Unfortunately,
no matter how hard the interviewer tries, a lot of "don't want to hire them"
decisions are made in the first few minutes of contact. If you make a strong
first impression, the interviewer will be more inclined to overlook
"imperfections" in your answers.
9. Not having
researched the company
As a general rule, the more famous the
brand, the more they will expect you to have done your homework. Researching the
company shows you're serious about the job.
Example from a real interview
for a major food brand:
Candidate: "Hello Mr. Interviewer. Yes, I'd love
to work for your company. I think your brand is great and I really believe I
could make a contribution to your marketing strategy."
Interviewer: "So
what do you think about our current merchandising, compared to our competition?"
Candidate: "Oh... Errr.... Well, I haven't had time to check it out,
really."
Likelihood of getting the job? Low.
10. Putting your foot in it and not noticing
Yes, we
know, you didn't mean to put your foot in it. But it doesn't really matter what
you intended. What counts is how the other person reacts. So what can you do? Be
prepared to simply say "sorry, that's not what I meant!" This requires you to
actually be paying attention to the interviewer, rather than your own thoughts
and feelings. Once you've apologised, leave it there, take a deep breath to help
you relax and move on with the job interview.
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