Classic job interview mistakes can affect your chances of securing a new role. A job interview is one of an employer’s first impressions of you. Interviewing gives you a chance to elaborate on your skills, experience, and qualifications. That’s why it’s best to avoid the common mistakes interviewees make and put your best foot forward.
Turning up too early
It’s crucial that you arrive within the correct timeframe for your interview. Arriving on time shows the interviewer that you are punctual and value their time. And as Benjamin Franklin pointed out – time is money, so they’ll appreciate your adherence to a schedule.
Turning up late
If you know you’re going to be unavoidably held up, call the interviewer, and explain your situation. Offer to reschedule at a time convenient for them or discuss with them a realistic eta. It’s not the best situation, but it will make a far better first impression than being late with no warning or worse, not making it at all.
Dressing inappropriately
Always dress appropriately for an interview. Wearing the correct attire shows prospective employers that you are serious about your profession.
Not researching the company
Make sure you know the ins and outs of the company you’re looking to work with. You should Google them for recent updates and news, check their socials for culture and updates, and familiarise yourself with the organisation’s website and history.
Bad-mouthing your former employer(s)
You might have left the worst job ever, on par with working for Trump, but it’s essential that you find a way to diplomatically discuss that. Discuss what you learned from possibly difficult working situations and how you handled them. Using positive answers demonstrates conflict resolution to your prospective employer. What’s more, an employer is always looking for answers on how you would handle yourself and may be hesitant to hire someone who they think will tell tales out of school.
Using your phone
This one seems obvious, but you’d be surprised. According to research by CareerBuilder, answering your phone, replying to a text or keeping the ringer on during an interview is a huge deal-breaker for over 65 per cent of hiring managers. It’s best just to keep the mobile off and respond to any missed calls or messages after the interview.
Having no questions to ask
It’s never a good idea to have no questions for your interviewer. Remember, it’s a two-way street. Ask relevant questions about the role and the company. You could ask about your potential team, the company’s direction or even progression opportunities. Remember, one question is better than none.
Not following up
Keep yourself front of mind by following up your interview with a quick thank-you email. Also, if you’ve been told to expect an update by a certain date, but that date’s passed, it’s essential that you send off a friendly follow-up email.