Top 10 Interview Mistakes To Avoid

When you’re preparing for a job interview, people never seem to be short of advice. Everyone has tips to share for interview success, but you also need to be aware of the common mistakes that job candidates make that could cause you to lose out on your dream job.

In this article, we’ll talk you through the top ten interview mistakes to avoid, giving you the best possible chance of success in your upcoming interview.

What Are The Most Common Interviewing Mistakes?

There are many different mistakes that candidates frequently make in job interviews. These range from wearing the wrong clothes to not doing enough research on the company and role that you are interviewing for.

Here are the top ten interview mistakes that are made by candidates, along with how you can avoid each one.

1.     Arriving Late

Punctuality is important in many different aspects of life, but job interviews are one occasion where you simply can’t afford to be late. Being late for an interview may suggest to the panel that you don’t manage your time well, or that the interview isn’t a priority for you.

Sometimes things happen that inevitably cause delays, such as traffic or public transport problems. But it’s important to plan ahead to make sure you’re still on time for your scheduled interview.

We’d always recommend planning your journey so that you arrive at your destination at least half an hour early. This will give you plenty of time to allow for delays in your travel. If you arrive early, find a local coffee shop for a quick caffeine boost before your interview, or cram in some last minute interview prep in your car.

Once you’ve got your much-needed coffee, aim to walk into the building around ten minutes before your interview start time. Not only will this demonstrate that you’re keen and proactive, but it will also give you plenty of time to find where you need to be, or to navigate lengthy reception queues!

2.     Not Doing Your Research

Nobody wants to be asked a question they don’t know the answer to during an interview, especially if that question relates to what the company you’re applying to actually does. Failing to answer simple questions about the company or job role could give the hiring manager the impression that you’re not enthusiastic about the job, or that you aren’t passionate about the company, so it’s vital that you do your research before the interview.

Research is a key part of the interview preparation process. This means learning everything you can about the company, the job role and the hiring manager. Demonstrating your knowledge of the company during your interview will help to show your enthusiasm for the role, as well as your ability to use your initiative. This could help to position you above the other candidates, giving you the best possible chance of securing the role.

3.     Not Being Truthful

It can be easy to embellish the truth when you’re talking about your skills, experience and education in an interview. However, this mistake could cost you your dream job if it is discovered that you have lied during the interview. Although it might be tempting to exaggerate, it could prove to be a costly mistake.

Instead, focus on what you can bring to the job role, and highlight your achievements, without being dishonest. Spend time before the interview writing a list of your proudest achievements throughout your education and career, so that you can draw on these during your interview. This could include your prior work experience, voluntary work, skills and qualifications you’ve obtained.

4.     Speaking Negatively About Previous Employment

It’s only natural that you might have previous job roles that weren’t such a great experience, and it can be easy to speak negatively about your past jobs during your interview. However, this can lead the hiring manager to believe that you are a difficult person to work with, making them less likely to employ you.

Rather than speaking negatively about your previous employment, discuss the challenges that you experienced in a positive light, explaining how you worked to overcome these and succeed in your job role. It might be difficult to bite your tongue but this could be the difference between interview success and interview failure!

5.     Lacking Enthusiasm

When you’re feeling nervous, it’s easy to become introverted and shy. This could lead the hiring manager to think that you aren’t enthusiastic about the job role you’ve applied for. And let’s face it – no one wants to employ someone who doesn’t actually want to be at work.

It might feel like a challenge, but it’s important to demonstrate your enthusiasm and energy during your job interview. This will show the hiring manager that you will bring a lot of energy and passion to the role if you are chosen as the successful candidate.

Thoroughly researching the company and job role before your interview is a great way to do this. You can also ask questions about the role and the business, demonstrating your interest in the position.

6.     Talking Too Much

We’ve already talked about showing your enthusiasm for the job role and the company. However, there’s a fine line between being enthusiastic and talking too much. If you take over the conversation, the hiring manager may think that you would be difficult to work with, or that you’re unable to listen.

Any interview should be a balanced conversation between the applicant and the hiring manager. This means that you should never find yourself talking more than the person conducting your interview. If you find yourself in an awkward silence, ask a question about the company or job role to encourage the hiring manager to guide the conversation.

You can also show that you are interested in what the hiring manager has to say by practising active listening skills. This includes demonstrating positive body language and nodding your head where appropriate.

7.     Dressing Inappropriately

When you’re attending a job interview, it’s important to dress appropriately. In most situations, you’ll find that a t-shirt or jeans are not appropriate attire for an interview, so steer clear of casual outfits.

It’s a good idea to look at the employee dress code for the company when you’re deciding how to dress. This means looking at what other employees are wearing and dressing accordingly.

If you’re in doubt about the dress code, it’s always best to dress more formally rather than less. Overdressing will leave a good impression, whereas underdressing could have the opposite effect. So, always practise caution and dress more formally if you’re unsure.

8.     Displaying Negative Body Language

If you’re feeling nervous about your interview, it’s easy to accidentally display negative body language. This could give the impression that you are unfriendly, or that you’re not enthusiastic about the job role you’re applying for.

Negative body language might include folded arms, lack of eye contact or a clenched jaw. These signal that you’re feeling uncomfortable, or that you aren’t happy in your surroundings. This could leave a negative impression on the hiring manager.

During your interview, really focus on your body language. This means making natural eye contact, ensuring that your arms are not folded and practising active listening skills.

Taking a few moments to practise mindfulness or relaxation before going into your interview is a great way to ensure that you are relaxed and reduce the chances of you displaying negative body language accidentally.

9.     Checking Your Phone

In today’s digital world, we are increasingly attached to our phones. We often check them without knowing we’re doing it, almost as second nature. However, one of the biggest mistakes you can make during your interview is checking your phone. This includes answering it if it rings, replying to a text message or checking your social media.

Using your phone during an interview could show the interviewer that you aren’t interested in the position, or that you’re not able to concentrate for periods of time without stopping to check your phone.

The best way to avoid temptation to touch your phone is to turn it off or to put your phone on ‘do not disturb’. You could even consider leaving your phone at home or in the car so that you don’t become tempted to use it during your interview.

10. Not Asking Questions

Most interviews will end with the hiring manager asking you if you have any questions about the role or the company. Whilst you may feel like all of your questions have been answered, failing to ask any questions could give the hiring manager the impression that you haven’t done your research on the company, or that you’re not really interested in the role.

Before your interview, prepare a few questions to ask the hiring manager. You can ask these at appropriate times throughout the interview, or at the end when you’re asked if you have any questions.

Questions that you might choose to ask include:

• How did this job role come about?
• How would you describe the culture of the company?
• How do you see this job role developing over time?
• What do you personally enjoy most about working for this company?
• What are the biggest challenges of this job role?
• Is there opportunity to progress in this role?

Whilst it’s always a good idea to ask questions, it’s important that you don’t ask too many questions. It’s a good idea to ask around three questions. However, you may like to prepare up to five questions, in case any of your questions are answered during the course of the interview.

5 Tips For Preparing For An Interview

So, now you know which mistakes you should avoid during your upcoming interview. But how should you go about preparing to give you the best chance of success?

Here are our top tips for interview success.

1.     Do Your Research

Before your interview, take the time to research the company, job role and industry, as well as the competitors to the company. The hiring manager will be impressed with your knowledge and research, giving you the edge over other candidates.

2.     Understand Your USPs

A job interview is no time for modesty. You need to understand your USP (Unique Selling Point) so that you can sell yourself to the hiring manager effectively. Think about your strengths and how they could be applied in the job role. It’s also a good idea to think of examples for each of your strengths, so that you can provide evidence.

3.     Identify Your Weaknesses

It’s normal to have a few weaknesses – we wouldn’t be human if we didn’t. It’s a good idea to try and anticipate areas where the interviewer may have concerns or reservations in advance, so that you can prepare a defence to convince them that you are the right person for the role.

4.     Practise, practise, practise!

There are certain questions you can almost guarantee you’ll be asked. For example, “tell me about yourself”, “why should we hire you?” and “what are your greatest strengths”. The best way to prepare for these questions is to practise at home.

Whether you choose to practise alone, in front of a mirror or with a friend, practising answering common interview questions can help to give you a head start once you get into that interview room.

5.     Prepare Your Own Questions

At the end of the interview, you’re almost guaranteed to be asked whether you have any questions. This can be difficult if the hiring manager has talked a lot about the company and job role during the interview, and you may feel like you don’t have anything else you need to know.

Asking intelligent questions can help to set you apart from other candidates, as well as demonstrating your interest in the company and job role. Prepare a few questions before the interview, such as “what is the best thing about working for this company?” or “how would you describe the company ethos?” to demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role.

To Sum Up

There are few things more daunting than an interview, especially if it’s for a job you really want. Avoiding the ten most common interview mistakes will give you a better chance at securing your dream role, setting you apart from the rest of the crowd.

The key thing to remember before your job interview is that preparation is key. The more you practise, the more comfortable you will feel answering the interview questions. Most of all, remember to smile and be enthusiastic about the job role and the company – that’s the type of person that every business wants to hire!

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