Top 10 Interview Mistakes

Top 10 Interview Mistakes
Posted in: Career Tuesday 26th, January 2010

Views(4209)
Comments(11)
Print
Forward
Shubhneet Sethi
B Com H Pursuing CWA
Avoid the Top 10 Interview Mistakes
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.
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.

Top 10 Interview Mistakes

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Top 10 Interview Mistakes

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Top 10 Interview Mistakes

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Top 10 Interview Mistakes

Posted in: Career Tuesday 26th, January 2010

B Com H Pursuing CWA

Avoid the Top 10 Interview Mistakes

2. Slating your current company or boss

5. Talking about people you don't get on with at work

6. Not Being Prepared

7. Appearing to be too nervous, or too confident

8. Making a weak first impression

9. Not having researched the company

10. Putting your foot in it and not noticing

You might also like