Job interviews can be nerve-wracking. It is very easy to make mistakes. But job interviews are a fact of life. And we might as well get used to them and work on getting them right. This article discusses common mistakes and offers useful resources on how to prepare for the next job interview.
Common Interview Mistakes You Must Avoid
Here are some common mistakes people make in job interviews, along with examples:
These came to mind as I was preparing for the Workplace Success Skills online workshop.
1. Lack of Preparation
Don’t walk into an interview in ignorance about the Company. Research the company, its industry and the job that you are applying for.
Today, with internet access and smart phones, you have no excuse not to have checked out the company. Check out the company website, visit its social media channels, YouTube channel and LinkedIn page.
Also check out the most recent annual report. If it is not available on the company web site, you can search for companies listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange at the CSE website.
Search for the company and look at the Financials tab for the latest annual reports. You don’t need to understand about finances. There is a lot of stuff in annual reports that have nothing to do with financials. Check out their vision and mission to see what the company is about. The Chairman and CEOs messages will give you an idea of what they are proud of. There will be other sections of interest in the annual report, depending on what job you are looking for. There will be names and photos of the Directors, and the senior leadership team. They may even be in your interview. So take the time to show you care about the job.
Don’t say: “I’m not really sure what your company does, but I’m excited to learn more.”
2. Poor Body Language
Your body language should exude confidence. Don’t be scared. Try to be confident. The biggest mistakes people make at interviews include avoiding eye contact, slouching, or fidgeting during the interview.
For example, avoid answering interview questions while looking down at the table and mumbling. You won’t get anywhere.
Learn and practice a power pose.
Social psychologist Amy Cuddy says that your body language can shape who you are. I strongly recommend Amy Cuddy’s TED Talk on body language. It will show you the importance of “faking till you make it” . That means acting like you are a winner till you actually become confident and succeed.
If the embeded video does not work for you, check this link and watch at TED.com.
3. Rambling Responses
Dont go to give lengthy and unfocused answers to interview questions. Think before you speak.
Your interviewers don’t want to waste their time. So avoid giving answers that go like this: “Well, back in 2019, I started working at… um, let me see… oh yes, I was saying…”
4. Negative Talk About Previous Employers
Do not make the mistake of criticizing past employers or colleagues and even the company you worked for. If you do, the prospective employer can think:
Will he/she say the similar things about me and our company at future interviews?” You don’t do yourself favours saying things like: “I left my last job because my boss was terrible and my coworkers were lazy.”
5. Inappropriate Attire
Wear clothes that are appropriate for the situation. A job interview is a formal event. Avoid wearing clothes and accessories that are too casual or inappropriate for the industry.
Do not show up to a corporate interview wearing jeans and a t-shirt. Wear formal, serious clothing. Accessories matter too. One CEO told me that he was hiring a financial analyst and one mature candidate was wearing a cartoony wristwatch. In his opinion it seemed to show either a lack of maturity or a lack of seriousness in outlook. Of course that person did not get the job.
6. Lack of Enthusiasm
What ever you do, avoid seeming disinterested or unenthusiastic about the job.
Do not make statements like: “ guess this job seems okay. I’m not really passionate about it, though.”
7. Failure to Ask Questions
All interviewers will expect you to be alert and curious about the job they want to take on. They will always give you an opportunity to ask for details or clarifications about the company or the job. So always have a few prepared questions.
When asked if you have any questions during the interview, do not say: “No, I don’t have any questions. I think you covered everything.”
8. Overemphasis on Salary
It is always better not to discuss money in your first interview. Sure, you are dying to find out how much the job pays. But in most firms, this would be near market rates, so no big mystery there. So avoid focusing primarily on compensation during the interview.
Don’t say: “So, how much does this job pay, and what are the benefits?”
9. Giving Inaccurate Information
Do not fall into the common mistake of giving false or exaggerated information on your resume or in your responses to interview questions. .
Don’t say: “I have a degree in computer science from MIT,” (When you don’t.)
As for lying on your resume, that can be a sackable offense.
10. Not Tailoring Your Answers
This again comes back to not doing your homework on the company. When you are asked questions, do not give generic, one-size-fits-all answers.
For example, when asked what is your greatest accomplishment, avoid saying “My greatest accomplishment is my ability to work well with others” if you are unable to give specific answers.
You do really need to do a bit of thinking and prepare for any interview. But also try to be prepared for that specific company and that specific job.
11. Interrupting the Interviewer
Do not make the mistake of not allowing the interviewer to finish their questions before responding.
Avoid interrupting with your answer before the question is complete. Remember what Steven Covey said: “Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with intent to reply.”
12. Being Too Humble
It is a big mistake to downplay your achievements and skills. My father, Nihal Dissanayake, used to say that “A job interview is the only place you are allowed to brag”. So avoid saying things like “I’m not really that good at it, but I did manage to increase sales by 20%.”
13. Not Addressing Your Weaknesses Positively
It is a mistake to not treat weaknesses, failures and setbacks in your life and career in a constructive manner. Try not to say things like: “I’m terrible at public speaking, and I always freeze up in front of a crowd.” You can be honest and say “I wasn’t that great at public speaking, but with some effort and practice I can do a decent job of it now. Practice makes perfect and I am getting better each time.” .
14. Not Sending a Thank-You Note or Email
You want to ensure that your interviewer sees you as a thoughtful and considerate person who is also interested in the job. So make the effort to give a good impression. Do not neglect to send a follow-up thank-you email after the interview. After all, you may be nervous, but you are keeping the communication lines open when you send that post-interview note. Radio silence is to be avoided.
15. Lack of Confidence
Always try to appear confident. Avoid appearing unsure of yourself or your qualifications.
Its best not to make statements like, “I don’t know if I’m really qualified for this job, but I thought I’d give it a try.”
If you want that job, try to avoid these common interview mistakes. It is important to prepare and practice so you are able to maintain a positive and professional demeanor throughout the interview process.
How to Prepare for Your Job Interview
Watch this TED Talks video playlist of Talks to watch before a job interview. It includes the following, very interesting perspectives. And I was pleasantly surprised to see the Amy Cuddy video I recommended above is in the playlist!
Daniel Levitin: How to stay calm when you know you’ll be stressed (12 min)
You’re not at your best when you’re stressed. Neuroscientist Daniel Levitin thinks there’s a way to avoid making critical mistakes in stressful situations.
Amy Cuddy: Your body language may shape who you are (20 min)
Body language affects how others see us, but it may also change how we see ourselves. Social psychologist Amy Cuddy argues that “power posing” — standing in a posture of confidence, even when we don’t feel confident — can boost feelings of confidence, and might have an impact on our chances for success.
Julian Treasure: How to speak so that people want to listen (9 min)
Have you ever felt like you’re talking, but nobody is listening? In this useful talk, Julian Treasure, the sound expert, demonstrates the how-to’s of powerful speaking.
Celeste Headlee: 10 ways to have a better conversation (11 min)
When your job hinges on how well you talk to people, you learn a lot about how to have conversations. Celeste Headlee has worked as a radio host for decades, and she knows the ingredients of a great conversation.
Dan Ariely: What makes us feel good about our work? (20 min)
What motivates us to work? Contrary to conventional wisdom, it isn’t just money. But it’s not exactly joy either. Behavioral economist Dan Ariely presents two eye-opening experiments that reveal our unexpected and nuanced attitudes toward meaning in our work.
Regina Hartley: Why the best hire might not have the perfect resume (10 min)
Given the choice between a job candidate with a perfect resume and one who has fought through difficulty, human resources executive Regina Hartley knows that those who flourish in the darkest of spaces are empowered with the grit to persist in an ever-changing workplace.
By Nilooka Dissanayake
Image: Apollotechnical.com
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