Common Interview Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

You can’t anticipate everything that will go wrong in an interview, and I don’t recommend trying since it will just provoke massive anxiety. This I know from experience. What you can do is learn some of the most common mistakes and plan to avoid them. Strive for preparedness but don’t overstress. If you do make a mistake, don’t panic. You can commit an error here and there and still land the job. In the event things don’t work out, reflect on what you learned and you’ll no doubt do better the next time around.

1. Neglecting Appearances and First Impressions

Dress appropriately for the interview. If the place is traditional, then opt for a more formal suit or blazer. You don’t have to be quite so dressy if the vibe is business casual, like at a start up. No matter what, dress in clean, conservative, well-fitting clothes with minimal accessories.

Bring what you need. Have business cards and copies of your resume ready to go. A pen and paper will enable you to take notes and jot down follow up questions. Do not bring a drink with you, and make sure your phone is put away and silenced.

Greet people you meet with enthusiasm, and shake hands. Convey a positive attitude by making consistent eye contact and smiling when appropriate.

Do not arrive late or too early. It goes without saying that you need to be on time. You may arrive on location early so as to account for missed directions or parking hassles, but wait to check in for your interview until just 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.

2. Coming Underprepared

Researching the organization you are interviewing with ahead of time is absolute necessary. Learn who they are, what they do, and what niche they fill in the field. If you’re given the names of the interviewers, research them as well. Learn their positions, areas of expertise, and common ground they share with you. You can find this information on the organization’s website or by searching LinkedIn profiles and other social media.

As you research, think about how your experience and skills match the job for which you are applying. Come prepared to highlight this as much as possible.

Take notes and bring them with you to the interview, so that your prospective employer can see your level of preparedness and commitment. If you do your homework, then you will understand the questions asked of you better and you can better ask your own questions.

3. Not Asking Questions or Asking the Wrong Ones

Doing a little research about the organization ahead of time gives you a chance to prepare relevant questions. An interview is not an interrogation; it is a conversation. Instead of just waiting to be asked questions, engage in a back and forth dialogue. You’ll want to keep your questions focused on learning about the inner workings of the place and what they are looking for in a successful candidate.

Use the questions you prepared ahead of time to show your interviewers that you already know a good deal about their organization.

Finish your answers to their questions with follow up questions of your own. Pay attention to anything that is mentioned about which you can inquire for more details. Use your listening skills.

Don’t be caught off guard with nothing to say when the interviewer asks you what questions you have for them.

In a first-round interview, refrain from asking pointed questions about salary specifics, health benefits, vacations, or specific promotions. Not only does this make it seem like you care more about your paycheck than the actual work you’ll be doing, it actually puts you at a disadvantage for later negotiations. Better to wait until they offer you the job. Asking general questions about opportunities for growth and advancement is good, as long as this is typical for your field.

4. Talking Too Much

While you definitely want to take part in moving the conversation along, do not dominate it. The interview may seem long to you, but the people doing the hiring are likely trying to maximize their time with you. They’ll have topics that they need to cover in order to decide if you’re worth hiring, and you don’t want to spend so long on each answer that they can’t get to everything.

Try not to ramble, even if you’re nervous, as this can be confusing and off-putting for listeners. Keep your answers short and to-the-point even as you provide specific examples for illustration. If you struggle with this, try the following. In 3-4 sentences total, describe the situation, explain what action you took, and emphasize the results.

5. Failing to Close the Deal

Towards the end of the interview, be sure to ask what the next steps in the hiring process are. Get an idea of when you can expect hear back from them, and understand who your contact person should be. This shows that you’re thinking ahead and conveys confidence.

Say thank you! Thank the interviewers for providing you with the chance to learn more about the opportunity in person before you leave. The very next day send a thank you email to them. In both cases, communicate your continued interest in the position. You can also say that you enjoyed talking with them and that you’re looking forward to the next steps.