No job interview is flawless. One good technique for preparing for your upcoming job interview is learning from others’ mistakes and knowing how to avoid these common mistakes. This article reviews and discusses common mistakes made in an interview and provides tips on how to avoid them.
After reading this article, you may be interested in reading the article on what to say and what not to say in an interview.
You’ve worked hard to get to that job interview. You’ve overcome many obstacles, and now it’s your time for face-to-face interaction with a potential employer.
You don’t want to miss this opportunity and mess it up.
Ace Your Job Interview and Avoid These 20 Common Mistakes
Read further to learn about the most common interview mistakes to avoid—the biggest make or break interviewing mistakes.
1. Lack of good preparation: Failing to conduct thorough research and lacking knowledge about the company and the position are the first mistakes you should avoid.
Prepare yourself by conducting research on the company, the position, and potential questions that may be asked. Refine your answers to technical questions, difficult questions, and frequently asked interview questions. The more you practice, the more professional your answers will be.
2. Failure to highlight your achievements: Provide concrete examples of your background and skills that align with the position. Explain why you are a good fit for the role.
Take the opportunity to talk about your past experiences and achievements—effectively sell yourself for the position.
3. Providing answers that are too brief or too lengthy: Responding with unexpected or inappropriate answers, whether they are too short or too long, is a guaranteed way to be eliminated from consideration.
It’s important to find the right balance and provide concise and relevant answers.
4. Arriving late: Avoid arriving late for job interviews. Although it may happen for various reasons, apologize for the delay, and aim to recover from this initial interaction failure.
5. Dressing inappropriately: Dress for interview success, as your job interview attire is the first impression you make.
Show up dressed professionally and appropriately, demonstrating your genuine interest in the job.
6. Body language failures: Poor eye contact, a weak handshake, sitting inappropriately, and not smiling naturally can negatively impact a job interview. Don’t let nerves get the better of you—relax before the interview.
Smile at appropriate moments and maintain eye contact with the interviewer, as these small gestures can make a difference.
7. Lack of integrity, disloyalty, and complaining: Avoid negative speech and complaining. Refrain from speaking ill of previous jobs and employers, as it reflects poorly on you. Negativity towards others raises questions about your loyalty and integrity.
How you speak about previous employers gives insight into how you may speak about future employers.
8. Interrupting the interviewer: Listen carefully to the interviewer’s questions before responding. Aim to provide precise and professional answers by fully understanding the question before responding.
9. Rambling when discussing weaknesses and strengths: Refer to the article on how to answer weakness and strength questions for guidance on providing concise and effective responses.
10. Bringing up personal details: When answering the question “tell me about yourself,” candidates sometimes mistakenly believe that the interviewer wants personal anecdotes. However, this is not the case. It is one of the most common interview mistakes.
Instead, prepare a clear and concise story about who you are, your career aspirations, and what you hope to achieve in the position.
Avoid offering irrelevant personal details unless specifically asked. Refer to the article on the interview question, “Tell us about yourself.”
11. Failure to ask good questions: When given the opportunity to ask questions, demonstrate your interest in the job by asking intelligent questions about the job opportunities and responsibilities.
Asking thoughtful questions shows that you have done your homework on the organization. However, avoid asking too many questions just for the sake of asking.
Connect yourself to the job and take the initiative to ask technical questions and others that showcase your ambition to advance your career.
12. Asking about salary: Avoid inquiring about salary during an interview unless the interviewer brings up the topic. You don’t want the employer to think that your primary interest is how much they pay. Many interviewers prefer to discuss salary expectations themselves.
If necessary, you may inquire about the salary range after several interview interactions and towards the end of the interview, as a curiosity-driven question.
13. Being unprofessional: Remember why you are there—maintain professionalism and take the interview seriously. Even if the interview is conducted in a relaxed atmosphere, stay focused on your objectives and the job description at hand.
14. Not asking about the next steps in the interviewing process: Once the interview has concluded, express your interest in the job and inquire about the next stage of the interview process.
Let the interviewer know your thoughts and don’t leave them guessing about your level of interest in the position.
15. Smoking before the interview: Smoking creates a negative impression and unpleasant odor before you even start the interview. It’s best to refrain from smoking prior to the interview.
16. Answering phone calls during the interview: Answering a call during an interview is one of the biggest interview mistakes and displays poor manners.
You don’t want to keep the interviewer waiting while you finish a phone conversation. It goes without saying that answering a call during an interview is highly unprofessional.
17. Failure to demonstrate interest and motivation for the job and the company: Your answers, as well as your questions, should reflect your enthusiasm for the industry and the specific job you are applying for.
Attitude is essential in professional interactions. Lack of passion and ambition are interview mistakes you want to avoid.
18. Overconfidence: Excessive arrogance can lead to negative reactions and antagonism. Avoid exaggerating your achievements—be honest and humble. Many employers follow up by contacting your references to verify the information you provided.
19. Lying: Dishonesty has consequences. If delicate topics arise during the interview, it is best to be honest and mature in handling these questions. Employers may reach out to your references and colleagues to verify your answers.
20. Not following up after the interview: Failing to send a thank-you email/note or letter after an interview can cause you to miss an opportunity to demonstrate your continued interest in the job. Refer to the article on follow-up after an interview for guidance.
The Importance of Mock Interviews to Avoid Mistakes in Job Interviews
One effective way to prepare for job interviews and avoid common interview mistakes is to participate in mock interviews.
Mock interviews simulate real interview scenarios and allow you to practice your responses, gain confidence, and receive feedback.
Here’s why mock interviews are beneficial:
1. Practice makes perfect: Mock interviews give you the opportunity to practice your interview skills in a low-stakes environment. By rehearsing your answers to potential questions and refining your delivery, you can feel more prepared and confident during the actual interview.
2. Identify areas for improvement: Mock interviews provide valuable feedback on your performance.
Interviewers can pinpoint areas where you can improve, such as providing more specific examples or adjusting your body language. This feedback helps you fine-tune your interview skills and avoid common mistakes.
3. Familiarize yourself with different interview formats: Mock interviews can simulate different interview formats, including one-on-one interviews, panel interviews, or behavioral interviews. By experiencing these different formats, you can become more comfortable and adaptable during actual interviews.
4. Reduce nervousness and build confidence: Nervousness is common during job interviews, but mock interviews can help alleviate anxiety.
The more you practice and receive feedback, the more confident you’ll become in your ability to handle interviews. Building confidence is essential for delivering your best performance and avoiding interview mistakes.
5. Learn time management: Mock interviews allow you to practice managing your time effectively during interviews. By understanding how to pace your responses and avoid rambling, you can make the most of the limited time you have to impress the interviewer.
6. Gain insight into your strengths and weaknesses: Mock interviews help you identify your strengths and weaknesses as an interviewee. By recognizing your strengths, you can emphasize them during the interview.
Similarly, understanding your weaknesses allows you to address them and improve upon them before the actual interview.
7. Develop effective communication skills: Good communication is crucial during job interviews. Mock interviews provide an opportunity to practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely.
Through practice, you can refine your communication skills, ensuring that you deliver your messages effectively during the interview.
8. Enhance problem-solving abilities: Many interview questions assess your problem-solving skills. Mock interviews allow you to practice tackling hypothetical scenarios or situational questions.
By sharpening your problem-solving abilities in a mock interview setting, you can demonstrate your critical thinking skills during actual interviews.
9. Build rapport with interviewers: In a mock interview, you have the chance to interact with experienced professionals who can provide valuable insights and guidance.
Establishing a rapport with the interviewers can lead to mentorship opportunities and networking connections.
10. Boost overall interview performance: Ultimately, participating in mock interviews helps you improve your overall interview performance.
By addressing and avoiding common interview mistakes through practice and feedback, you increase your chances of making a positive impression on potential employers and securing the job you desire.