7 Mistakes You Should Never Make in a Job Interview

A few sweaty handshakes, no glass of water and a chair that squeaks with every movement. We’ve all had that dreadful interview. Many things can go wrong between receiving an invitation and the end of your job interview. We have compiled a list of 7 mistakes that could tank your interview, from preparation to communication skills. 

Preparation Mistakes

The key to a successful interview does not start when you enter the room. There are a few things you can do days before the interview to help you walk in confident and prepared. Here are 3 mistakes to avoid when preparing:

1. Not doing your homework

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when you’ve received an interview opportunity is to walk in without established knowledge and research. 

Be prepared for the interviewer to ask you questions about the company, the position you’re hiring for and why you will be the best fit. Make sure you research the company and the position you’re applying for. Have answers prepared that will showcase your research and dedication, giving you a boost to rise above the competition. 

2. Lacking passion and positivity

Make certain that your research inspires feelings of passion and positivity. Pay attention to company values, work atmosphere and benefits if the actual position isn’t inspiring. There is a lot more to work than just your technical job. The more positive you feel, the more that will affect your mentality when you sit down with your interviewer. 

A confident and passionate attitude before you step into the building will be a great support if the interview starts rocky – hang on to that attitude and it may just be your saving grace! 

3. Lying on your resume

For many interviewers, the only perception they have is the paper version of who you are. Make sure you measure up in person if you’ve got a great resume and under no circumstances should you lie or exaggerate on your resume or in your interview. 

Up to 85% of recruiters believe that candidates exaggerate or lie about their qualifications and competencies. You may lose the offer or be fired when you’re found out. Make sure your references are solid and will back up your experience and credentials. 

Impression Mistakes

According to Psychology Today, first impressions are a powerful tool at your disposal. The impression you give when you first walk into a room can sometimes be more convincing than facts. You may have a Ph.D. in Computer Science, but first impressions are often used to judge character traits. You want to establish professionalism and responsibility with your first impression. Consider two common mistakes which could affect the first impression you give in an interview:

4. Dressing poorly

Many of us have experienced a last-minute panic to find the right outfit for an interview. Save yourself the stress, pick out a few clothing items that will translate well for different interviews. It comforts most recruiters or interviewers when a prospective employee has taken care to look well dressed.  

If you’re unsure of what classifies as ‘professional’ or ‘business’ styled clothing, check out The Balance Career’s suggestions of interview attire for women and men. 

5. Showing up late

This may seem like an easy decision to most, but we cannot stress enough the importance of timeliness. Employers want to know that they can depend on you to show up on time for work, clients and meet deadlines. Your first opportunity to prove this is usually when you’re invited for an in-person interview. 

Schedule your route ahead to make sure you have lots of time to make it to the location. The best time to arrive for an interview is 5-10 minutes before the meeting is to take place. 

Interviewing Mistakes

Once you are shaking hands and smiling at your interviewer, it can be anxiety-inducing for some. You want to project confidence, so here are two mistakes to avoid when you’re in the interview room:

6. Having a poor attitude

As previously mentioned in the preparation section, your attitude speaks volumes about who you are and what your personality will bring to a company. If you walk into the building with slumped shoulders, a limp handshake and a negative attitude, you will not get the job. Instead, work on ‘impression management’ which is the change of behaviour or tendencies to give the best impression of yourself. Recite some positive, affirming statements to yourself, straighten those shoulders, give a nice, firm handshake and best of all – smile.  

A positive attitude and warm personality will help you stand out as a candidate.  Many recruiters and employers pay close attention to interpersonal skills. The combination of technical skills and an engaging attitude is hard to find. Employers will look out for this combination.

 7. Being a bad communicator

This may be the most important mistake to avoid. As a species, we communicate with more than just words. If you have followed our previous advice, you can communicate that you are warm, responsible, and timely. Now it’s time to have an actual conversation. However, conversations involve speech, body language, and facial expressions. 

A communication skill often missed when discussing interviewing is appropriate levels of eye contact. Eye contact is important, but can also overwhelm – make sure you know the right amount of eye contact to maintain. A tip for maintaining the delicate balance of eye contact is to avoid it when speaking or thinking about an answer and to make eye contact more regularly when listening. A great pairing is eye contact and a smile, so use that combination throughout the conversation. 

The last communication mistake to avoid is to not listen well in the interview. You may be so excited about the job, or eager to prove yourself that you ramble on and on – it’s a bad look. Make sure you take the time to pause and listen carefully to the questions given and when you answer directly address the question. It’s not a bad idea to ask for a minute to think about the question if it’s complicated, but speak confidently when you answer. 

We hope this helps you in your next interviewing process, preparing you for a successful experience. Best of luck!

Related Posts: 7 Things Every First-time Job Seeker Should Know

Top Job Search Tips for the Unemployed

8 Tips for Your Next Phone Interview

About the Author

Nan Mu is a seasoned talent recruiter and career advisor at Alba Inc. She has designed recruitment processes for Fortune 500 companies, specializing in senior and executive-level talent. In 2018, she brought her years of human resources and client servicing experience to a major IT and data consulting services firm, where she is currently a director.