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Four Interview Mistakes that might Cost you the Job
Creating a good
impression during a job interview is crucial, and it’s often the
most difficult part of getting a new job. Interviews are
stressful and it’s easy to make mistakes—but those mistakes can
cost you the job. Avoid these common errors to improve your
chances. 1.) Inappropriate dress
As soon as you walk through the door
of the interview room, the people inside are forming their first
impressions of you. Conservative dress is always best, with
subdued colors, little or no jewelry, and a tidy appearance.
Good hygiene is important, and avoid over-doing the perfume or
cologne—you don’t want them to smell you before they see you.
2.) Inappropriate
behavior
Avoid being
overly friendly, don’t bad-mouth former colleagues or employers,
and let the employer decide when the subject of salary and
benefits should come up.
Never smoke or chew gum
during an interview, and if you’re at a lunch or dinner
interview and others at your table order alcoholic drinks—don’t!
A drink might loosen you up and keep the nerves at bay, but a
job interview is not a time when you want to risk losing control
of what you do or say.
3.) Being unprepared
The interview is not the
time to ask questions about what the company does—you should
know that already. Show your interest in the job by
doing your
research before the interview.
Similarly, practice your
interview technique. Compile a list of questions and practice
answering them out loud until you’re word perfect. Ask a friend
to help, or practice in front of a mirror to get used to the
idea of having an audience.
4.) All talk and
no listen
Interviews allow you to
demonstrate your verbal communication skills, and that includes
not only what you say, but how you say it. Answer questions
succinctly, with relevant information—avoid going off on
unrelated tangents and avoid using filler words like “um” and
“ah” repeatedly.
Never talk over the
interviewer, and be sure to listen attentively. Worst-case
scenario is that you’re forced to ask them to repeat a question
because you haven’t heard it the first time.
Also, please review our Interview
Tips & Tools section. If you need more help,
please consider using a
Career Counselor. |
