Did you know, you only have seven seconds to make a strong first impression? To avoid having the odds stacked up against you, use our tips on the 12 things to avoid during a job interview. Put your best foot forward and land the job you’ve always wanted.
12 Things to Avoid During a job Interview
There are plenty of things you can do to have a successful interview. But as easy as it might seem, things can easily go wrong. For the best results, use these tips on the 12 things to avoid during a job interview as a guide for your next interview:
- Forgetting to research the company
- Showing up late
- Forgetting to greet the interviewer
- Feeling stressed
- Dressing inappropriately
- Lack of preparation
- Looking at your phone throughout the interview
- Making rude remarks about your previous employer
- Lying!
- Rude behaviour
- Acting unprofessionally
- Asking about company benefits
Forgetting to Research the Company
“Tell us what you know about the company” is a popular interview question. So a big no-no is forgetting to research the company you have an interview with. It could indicate a lack of interest in the company or position you are applying to.
Showing up Late
Arriving late to your interview could easily mess up your chances of getting hired. The interviewer could question your reliability. Also, since you rushed to be on time, you’ll feel unorganised and stressed out.
Forgetting to Greet the Interviewer
Remember we mentioned it takes 7 seconds to make a good impression? Well this is where it counts. Interviewers are there to hire the best candidates. So if you look irritated or do not greet the recruiter, you could end up getting rejected.
Feeling Stressed
We get it, interviews can be stressful. No matter how many you go to, you simply cannot get used to the anxiety that comes with it. But when those feelings overwhelm you, you could end up making unnecessary mistakes.
Not Dressing Appropriately
Whether you’re at the location, or trying to secure a job virtually, you need to dress for success. Showing up dressed in inappropriate clothing could look unprofessional to the employer. If you want the part, you need to look the part.
Lack of Preparation
Preparing for an interview is like studying for an exam. You need to be able to give the right answers to get the best results. Lack of preparation means that you won’t be able to answer common interview questions.
Looking at Your Phone Throughout the Interview
You need your full concentration during an interview. It will help you avoid answering questions poorly. But looking at your phone could prove that you are unable to pay attention, or seem uninterested in the interview.
Making Rude Remarks About Your Previous Employer
Burned a few bridges at your previous job? Well steer clear of making rude remarks about your previous employers. Recruiters may question whether or not you are a difficult employee who tends to cause a stir.
Lying!
So you’ve lied about your skills and experience and got the job. So what happens when you need to perform the duties expected of you? Lying is one of the things not to include in your CV. So it’s best to tell the truth during the interview.
Rude Behaviour
Rude behaviour is not only a sign of disrespect, it also says a lot about your character. This could prove that you do not have interpersonal skills. Rudeness means you won’t be able to be a team player and respect your colleagues. This could impact the company culture and productivity of the team.
Acting Unprofessionally
Even if you aren’t rude, you shouldn’t act unprofessionally either. A joke or two is okay. It eases the tension of the interview. But there is a time and a place for everything. Keep jokes, laughing and general conversation to a minimum.
Asking About Company Benefits
Confidence is key. But overconfidence could end up closing the door of opportunities to you. We know you want the job. But avoid asking questions about what company benefits you get during the interview. This is the time to ask questions about your duties and responsibilities.
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Land the job of Your Dreams
Start your career with our tips on the 12 things to avoid during a job interview. Make a good impression and you could land the career of your dreams. Want to boost your chances even more? Study one of our amazing courses. Contact our experts for more details. You can:
- Call us on 0800 39 00 27 – it’s free
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