6 Common Interview Mistakes and How To Avoid Them

If you’re looking for a job you need to be aware of common interview mistakes.  Here we look at what to avoid when you attend an interview.

Let’s face it, job interviews have not been the same since the pandemic.  We’ve all had to rise out of our comfort zone. (As if there ever was a comfort zone when it comes to job interviews!)  We’ve had to learn how to interview remotely. There are also many more people looking for jobs.

As we emerge from the pandemic, interview norms will more than likely return.  That face to face contact is invaluable when finding if the prospective employer likes you, or you like them.

So the time to get into the zone is now. Here we discuss 6 common interview mistakes and how you can avoid them

Are you guilty of these common interview mistakes?

Interviews can be scary. Whether you’re the one being interviewed for a possible role or even if you’re the one conducting the interview, it’s easy to let the pressure get to you.

People can be so focused on trying to impress that they end up making interview mistakes and this can result in losing the opportunity to nab that dream job.

If you’re looking for some tips on how to perfect your next job interview, then we present six common interview mistakes and what you can do to avoid them.

1. Being unprepared

Despite having the internet at our fingertips, many of us still fail to do our homework properly. Far too often, people don’t properly know about the company or even the job role that they’re applying for.

Make sure you do your research. You wouldn’t turn up for an exam without revising, so treat it with the same amount of importance. Look through the job specification and make sure to adequately demonstrate how you meet each aspect of the criteria.

Be sure to research the business. Find out how and when they started and know about any of their key achievements. Have a good understanding of what products and services the company has. You can then drop in this information when suitable to show you understand the company and have done your research.

2. Not asking questions

Many people forget that an interview is a two-way street. As well as an opportunity to demonstrate your skills and suitability for the role, it’s also the chance for you to decide whether the company is suitable for your needs and career development.

It’s easy to get flustered within an interview, so a good suggestion is to make a note of any questions you’d like to ask whilst doing your interview prep. If there’s something that comes up that you’re worried about or can’t find the answer to, then jot it down and take your notes with you. This way, your mind won’t go blank and you will have suitable questions to ask.

Some key questions to ask could include what an average day may be like at the company, what your potential colleagues are like, is there room for growth, etc.

3. Showing off

Nobody likes a show-off, so it’s vital that you find the right balance between being proud of your accomplishments and being egotistical.

Be self-deprecating and make sure that you remain grateful for all of your achievements and successes. If true, say that this job role will help you to further your skills even more.

A good way of showing your understanding without bragging is to sneak in a few questions at the end of the interview which demonstrate your skills. For example, asking about a newly acquired client and the company’s intentions. This will help to show that you have done your research about the company. It will show you’re also interested in working towards their future.

4. Talking over people

Whilst the pressure may be on for you to shine and get all your key points out, make sure you do it without talking to people. It’s important to be familiar with the social etiquette required for interview success.

If you don’t listen, the interviewee is going to pick up on this and it’s not the best first impression. Always listen to what the interviewee is saying as the likelihood is that they’ll reveal important parts of the job role not mentioned in the job specification. You’ll be able to use these later on to your advantage and drop into conversation.

5. Making things up

Lying in your interview benefits nobody and it’ll only come back to bite you.

It’s far better to be up-front about something you don’t know or lack skills in. Don’t just make up information. Your employee will only expect you to demonstrate these skills further down the line and you’ll be left in an awkward position.

If you’re hired on the basis of a particular skill or past experience and it’s found out that they were exaggerated or lies, you could face dismissal. It’s really not worth it.

6. Having a bad handshake

Handshakes can actually have an impact on the opinion of those interviewing you so it’s crucial that you get it right. Research by the University of Iowa found that a firm handshake is the key to a successful job interview and those with a “weak and wimpy” handshake were deemed less impressive to the interviewers.

Take some time out of your day and get practising your handshake game. It’s easy and will help you to showcase yourself as a lucrative interviewee.

It’s always worth putting in that extra time and effort so that you don’t make silly, avoidable mistakes. If you remain confident in yourself and your abilities, then you’ll be sure to give a good impression at your interview and you’ll secure that dream job in the end.

Image courtesy of Depositphotos