15 Mistakes to Avoid in an Interview

When lucky enough to be asked to attend a job interview, you have confidence that you were invited for a reason. Out of a group of people, you and a few others have made it this far. 

Now all you have to do is impress the interviewer(s) and you're home and dry with a job in hand... This is what you want to happen, however mistakes are very easily made in a high-pressure interrogation and can cost you the job.

One big, simple error, and you can't take it back. It hangs over you for the rest of the interview, probably causing you to make further and maybe even bigger mistakes.

1. No Research 

Having an understanding of the business you're hoping for employment in is essential. The history, future goals, different branches (if they have any). It shows the interviewer that you have come prepared and that you are serious about wanting to join the company.

2. Inappropriate attire 

How you dress will give a big impression to an interviewer, it will be the first thing they see after-all and whatever people may say, first impressions are lasting ones. So when attending a job interview, dress slightly more on the conservative side than normal, as-well as making sure your clothes are clean.

Jewellery can put people off also, this is not only true of women, but men as-well. 

3. No questions 

Near the end of the interview, nearly every interviewer you will ever see will ask if you have any questions. This is a great chance to make a lasting impression, and sadly is often neglected. Good questions can often lead to a job. (Although it is also dependant on how well your first part of the interview went). :)

If you want an idea on some of the questions to ask, then go ahead and take a look at this previous post: 10 Vital questions to ask in a job interview.

4. No eye-contact 

When the interviewer is talking to you, and you're staring at the floor or at the surroundings of the room, it will come across as rude and will make you look as though you are disinterested.

Practice keeping eye-contact with people you interact with usually, as-well as new acquaintances. (This is something I've had trouble with, and sometimes still do).

5. Lying 

If you're asked about something you don't know about, or the topic of conversation has moved to something that has caught you off-hand, just be honest and say that you don't know.

Employers will be glad of your honesty and hate it when employees lie to them, so don't give them that reason not to choose you for the job.

Besides, you could offer your opinion on the matter and could express what you would do to solve the problem - so it's not as bad as you may think.

6. Mobile phones ringing 

Before you enter the interview room, make sure your phone is off! The interviewer will find it very disrespectful and rude for you to disrupt the interview by having to switch off your phone.

7. Asking about salary early on 

Asking for the salary too early into the interview will reveal that you are only interested in the job for the money. Inquiring about the salary should be done in a gentle manner towards the end of the interview, if at all, to avoid bad impressions.

8. Professionalism 

Most interviewers will want you to feel comfortable and relaxed, but try to remain professional throughout. Don't border over into the personal realm, but give the appearance of someone who your interviewer would want to hire.

9. Prepare answers 

Prepare for obvious staple questions such as: "Why do you want to work here?", or "What skills could you bring to the team?"

Of course there will be some slightly peculiar questions which you will have to face blind, but prepare for the things you can expect to see. Who knows, you might be able to draw some of your answers from these staple questions, into the harder more difficult questions.

10. Punctuality 

Turning up late to an interview is a huge mistake and will almost immediately destroy any possible chance you have of getting the job.
Try reading my post on: 15 Steps to improve punctuality.

11. Checking the time 

Whilst you are inside the interview procedure, try your best (however tempting) to avoid glancing at the clock in the room or your watch. If the interviewer catches you doing this, they will think that you're bored and are wanting to be other places.

12. Fidgeting 

Don't fidget. It's distracting for the employer and can be seen as a result of anxiety, stress and nerves. An employer would rather have a still employee rather than a fidgety one.

13. Speaking about other interviews 

While it's good for you to know that you have more than one possibility of a job, an interviewer will not share your opinion. Why would they want to employ someone, who is likely to or is possibly going to be employed somewhere else.

14. Murmuring 

Murmuring or speaking in a fashion where the interviewer won't be clear about what your saying, can be very off putting. An interviewer will soon get fed up of asking you to repeat yourself, and will want to see the back of you.
If you're interested, I've written a post about developing articulation.

15. Don't over-explain 

When delivering a response, it wants to be straight to the point with no nonsense. Making it as short but as informative as possible is the way to go (unless a question needs a longer answer). Once your point has been made, don't over-explain yourself. It can come across as patronising and could cause you to trip over previous words.