10 common job interview mistakes

10 Common Job Interview Mistakes

A job interview is one of the most stressful part of job searching for many individuals. But it is a very important component of the hiring process. From the time you started job hunting until this point, you have managed to hide behind your resume and cover letter. Now you have been invited for a job interview it is time to impress the hiring managers. A big part of a successful interview is avoiding potential pitfalls. Pitfalls that can undermine your ability to impress the recruiting team.The top 10 common job interview mistakes that a number of people make when interviewing are:

Arriving late at an interview

When you arrive late for an interview, it makes a strong negative first impression and interviewers will start asking questions about your reliability as well as punctuality. You should ask for directions where the interview will take place, also double-check a map so that you know exactly the directions. Do not forget to start early so you allow extra time for traffic and other unforeseeable events.

Poor interview attire and grooming

Always remember professional companies want to hire professional people. Wear your best conservative outfit such as well-fitting suit and keep jewelry, makeup, and fragrances to a minimum. Taking a shower, brushing your teeth, and combing your hair before an interview is very important for you to present a clean, polished image.

Failing to research about the company before the interview

Researching about the company before an interview will show you are seriously interested in their organization. This attention to detail sends a message to the interviewer that you are serious about the position and are willing to go the extra mile. Researching will also help you in determining if the company is a right fit for you.

Failure to give detailed examples of where your skills and experience meet the requirements for the job

Interviewers want to know more about your past work experience. They are interested in the details of how you performed, challenges you have encountered, and the methods you used to overcome those challenges. This is mostly true of behavioral interviewers. You should take your time to give the interviewer specific examples of how you performed and how these will apply to the duties of the current position. If you are able to link your work experience and the position you are interviewing for, you have a much higher chance of being successful in the interviewing process.

Not asking questions during the interview about the company and/or position

When you are being interviewed, it is an opportunity for the employer to evaluate your fit for the position; it is also an opportunity for you to evaluate how well the company and the position match your skills and experience. To know how well-suited you are for the position you should ask intelligent questions. You should also clearly indicate that you have done some basic research about the organization. Don’t ask questions for the sake of asking them. Poorly-worded intelligent questions usually do more damage to your reputation than remaining silent.

Failure to practice before an interview

The best public speakers do thoroughly prepare and practice delivering and answering detailed questions. The more you practice, the more confident you will get with your answers and allowing for a much smoother delivery during job interviews.

Should you talk too much (or not at all)

The best answers are short to the point but detailed. Interviewees who talk for a long time come across as trying to make up for their weakness, while others who just sit and stare appear as though they are in a state of shock. Neither of these two scenarios is good in an interview situation. Choose your words carefully and you should be economical with your words, but dont be a mute.

Bad-mouthing previous employers or companies

One of the quickest ways to turn off an interviewer is to speak badly about your current or previous employer. This will raise questions about your integrity and loyalty, and labels you as a complainer and  unhappy person. Even if you worked in a workshop with no running water, lights or working 13 hours a day, keep all negative commentary to yourself.

Failing to explain why you are a good fit for the position or company

Do not leave it to the interviewer to evaluate and determine if you are a good fit for the company, by doing so you risk the chance that they might not make the decision you would like to hear. Make it easy for the hiring managers to connect your experiences, talents, and strengths to the job description.

Not asking about the next steps

Once the interview has finished, if you are really want the job, let the interviewer know that you are still interested in the position. Interviews are much about your evaluation of the company and the position as it is them evaluating you, don’t just assume the interviewer knows you still want the job. Mention to them your interest and inquire about the next step in the recruiting process.

So ladies and gentlemen try as much as possible to avoid these top 10 common job interview mistakes. You should also look at the following articles;

1. Five Ways to Assure a Successful Job Interview

2. Job Interviews Prepare Questions In Advance

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