15 Common Job Interview Mistakes to Avoid

An interview is a gate towards your path to achieving a successful career. Whether you are a technician with years of experience looking for a higher role or a fresh graduate looking for a great start to your career, you are bound to face the interviewer and show your skill set.  You must have gone through rigorous preparation by brushing your skills to face the interviewer, however, there can be a negative impact with very few mistakes. What are those mistakes in an interview you must look after? How to avoid those mistakes and excel in an interview? 

In this article, we are going to discuss 15 common Job Interview Mistakes to avoid and make your path toward your dream job.

What are the 15 Common Job Interview Mistakes to Avoid? 

1. Unprepared Resume

Your resume is the first document in front of the interviewer which gives an overall look at your performance, skills, and personality. The interviewer may ask anything from your resume and you must be ready to answer them. Create your resume with genuine skills and interests. Work on your resume in a way that you are confident in every word on that page. Make sure that you can give answers to every possible question from your resume.

2. Forget Required Documents

Forgetting important documents will show your lack of preparation. Proper validity should be presented in front of the table for authentication of the skillset in your resume. Check twice before going to the interview for every document. It is helpful if you make a checklist for the documents required and mark every one of them. Also, take enough copies of the resume as companies may ask for a copy.

3. Informal Dress code

An interview is a formal conversation and your attire should be accordingly. Even though there are companies such as Google, that don’t have any formal dress code, it is advised to step in with a formal outfit. A good dress will imply that you work on yourself and are confident about what you do. Avoid wearing T-shirts, jeans, or any other casual dresses. Make sure you wear clothes that are neither too loose nor too fit but of the proper size. Also, a well-ironed formal dress with polished shoes can suit the occasion. 

4. Improper Hygiene 

Even though your dress code appeals to the occasion, there are a few hygiene issues that cannot be overlooked. It is said that an interview panel will start to judge you from your very first step into the interview room. Get a proper haircut, take care of your facial hair, and cut your nails. Make sure your body odor is good and doesn’t give any stinky smell. A clean body garnished with a good outfit can boost your confidence.

5. Arriving Too Late / Too Early

Time management is crucial when attending a formal conversation. Arriving too early can fill you with impatience and arriving too late can increase tension. Both these factors can affect your performance in the interview. Also, improper time management will instantly create a negative impression. It is advised to check the location of the interview a day prior so that you can make a good plan to reach there. Arrive 30mins before the interview so that you can prepare yourself accordingly.

6. Don’t Rush to the Table

As discussed earlier, every step in your entire time of interview is looked at. It is important to calm your nerves before entering the room. Don’t rush to the table and sit on your seat. It is polite to ask, “May I come in?”. Greet the interviewer. If there is a panel, take time and greet everyone. Give a proper and confident shake hand while making eye contact with the interviewer/ panel.

7. Casual Posture

Body language plays a key role in your selection process. Avoid making an improper body posture. Don’t slouch, fold your hands or make any unnecessary movement while sitting on the table. Don’t cross your legs while sitting in an interview. Take an engaging posture and move forward a little from the seat. Open your hands while answering any question. Calm yourself and appear calm and relaxed.

8. Using Improper/ Foul Language

Keep in mind that this is not a casual conversation and you cannot use everyday slang or foul language in front of the interview table. Avoid using informal language and choose your words wisely. Because words make a huge impact and if you use any inappropriate word then you might lose the chance of getting the job. 

9. Giving Long Answers / Short Answers

A long answer may allocate a large time to unnecessary information. Also, it shows poor time management in your interview. Also, a short answer may not give enough information to the question imposed. It is better to prepare before the time you must allocate to various answers. For example, 1-2 minutes can be allocated to behavioral questions and you can take in explaining your projects and skillsets. Take enough time before answering and frame your answers.

10. Bad Mouthing

Behavioral questions such as “Why did you leave your job?”, “Tell about a time you faced a difficulty with people?”, etc. requires you to speak about another person. In such cases, it is important not to bad mouth them. You can be upset about your present or past employer, but you cannot talk about that in your interview. Give a positive answer and explain how you faced it.

11. Checking Phone

Even though phones became a major part of our day-to-day life, checking the phone when you are in an interview can give a negative impression. Also, checking your watch a lot many times is a big no. These show you are easily distracted and not focused on the interview. It is suggested to shut down your phone while you are in the interview to avoid distraction. If you keep that in your pocket, make sure you are comfortable with that while you are seated.

12. Discussion on Salary

Salary discussions are important in an interview. However, you are not supposed to bring up that topic. Bringing up salary may show that you are too desperate and are working for just a salary. Wait until the interviewer brings about the salary. Also, don’t be too shy to negotiate about the salary. If you are feeling you need better pay, clearly make negotiations about it.

13. Asking Questions

Leaving without making questions shows that you are ignorant about your job role. Ask questions you are not sure of. If you don’t know what to ask, frame questions about their projects and their dealings with various projects. Asking questions implies that you paid attention to the person sitting in front of you and you are interested in your upcoming tasks. 

14. Asking for feedback

Even though you feel you have done well, it is important to ask the interviewer for feedback. He/ She may give enough suggestions for improvements. It is a good sign and shows that you are willing to take criticism and make changes. Also, the feedbacks provided by the interviewer will help you to improve your mistakes and you can avoid repeating them in the future. 

15. Leaving without a Good Bye

A last impression is equally important as a first impression. This gives the interview completeness. You must give a good shake hand and thank the interviewer. Also, send an email about how you felt about that interview and thank the interviewer for his/her time. Doing this helps the interviewer to remember you for a longer period of time and will also increase the chances of getting the job.

Conclusion 

Apart from technical skills and communication skills, there are some aspects you must be prepared for when attending an interview. It is necessary to rectify as many mistakes as possible to achieve a good job. Make efforts, work on yourself, and gain your dream job. 

FAQs 

Q1. Is there a dress code for interviews? 

Answer:

There is no common rule to dress for an interview. However, if you are attending a formal job interview, it is advised to make a formal outfit. 

Q2. What to do if I am late for the interview? 

Answer:

Inform the interviewer/recruiter before your time slot about your delay in time. Ask them about when you should come for the next slot and apologize for the inconvenience. 

Q3. Does body language make a difference in an interview? 

Answer:

Yes, it does. Body language and Communication Skills are key aspects of making a good impression in the interviews.