Everyone understandably gets nervous when it comes to job interviews. And no one likes being told they have been not been successful on this occasion.
However, many times the reason for rejection is something that could have been easily avoidable. So here are some common job interview mistakes and how to avoid them.
Not showing an interest
You need to show the interviewer that you are genuinely interested in working for them or they most certainly won’t be interested in employing you. Things like slouching in your chair, yawning, not paying attention or playing on your phone will definitely create the impression that you aren’t bothered.
Show the interviewer that you are taking the interview seriously and that you are interested in the company and the job. Demonstrate that you have researched the company by mentioning anything you have learned in your answers.
“I read that COMPANY NAME recently won an award for….”
“COMPANY NAME is a supporter of….”
Remember to dress appropriately and keep your phone switched off and out of sight.
Saying something you shouldn’t have
Focus on answering the interviewer’s questions. Don’t overshare or provide irrelevant information. If the interviewer would like you to elaborate they will ask you for more details.
There are some things you absolutely should NOT mention during a job interview:
- Anything negative about current or former employers
- About your personal life I.e boyfriends/girlfriends/holidays/what football team you support
- Controversial/sensitive topics such as politics
- Anything rude or inappropriate (be careful when trying to make a joke as not everyone will share your sense of humour)
- Upcoming holidays
Not doing your research
The interviewer wants to see that you know about the company. They may even ask you “what do you know about us?” They are also likely to ask why you want to work there in which you are expected to show some knowledge of the company.
You should find out about:
- The company’s basic history i.e when was it founded and who by?
- What products/services do they provide?
- Who are the customers?
- The company mission statement and goals
- Do they do any charity work?
- Have they been in the news lately? (although you might want to steer clear of any negative reports)
You should also demonstrate your understanding of the job you are applying for. Analyse the job description, person specification and any information provided by the company to ensure you fully understand what is expected and what sort of person the company is looking for.
Use this information to help shape your answers to the interviewer’s questions. This will help you convince them that you are the right person for the job.
Not asking questions
At the end of the interview, you will probably be asked:”Do you have any questions for us?”
Do not say no!
There is absolutely no chance you will know everything there is to know about the company. Therefore the interviewer will expect questions. You should always have one or two questions prepared (best to have a couple in case the answer to one of them is covered during the interview). This reiterates your interest and enthusiasm for the job.
For more information about questions to ask (and not to ask) at job interviews see our guide on questions at job interviews.
Arriving late/too early
The last thing you want to do at an interview it turn up late. Whilst it’s always a good idea to make yourself stand out, arriving late is not the best way. If you arrive too late the interviewer may not be able to see you which may mean rescheduling (or losing the chance altogether).
Research the venue beforehand and plan how you will get there. Check out the traffic conditions and work out how long it will take you to travel. Try to allow yourself extra time in case there are traffic hold-ups. If you are making the journey by public transport take into account the possibility of delays.
On the other hand, you should not arrive too early. Not only will you need to sit and wait awkwardly in the reception/waiting room but it may disrupt the interviewer’s schedule (especially if there are other candidates to see as well). The other staff may also feel obliged to entertain you whilst you wait or offer you tea/coffee.
