Absolutely Avoid These Interview Mistakes
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Roughly 90% of job interview preparation
is common sense, though. You should be anticipating tough interview questions,
and shaping your answers. You should also be preparing some questions of your
own. In addition to that, you should have an idea as to what you’re going to
wear, be mindful
of your body language, and know a bit about the position you’re applying for.
The key is to make it obvious that you’re the solution to
an employer’s problem, and that they won’t find anyone better.
Even if you are, without a
doubt, the most highly qualified candidate, you can see a potential offer go
up in smoke by making avoidable mistakes.
What are the deal breaker
mistakes to avoid?
The top job interview mistakes: Appear anxious or nervous
To start things off, employers seem
to be turned
off by anxiety and nervousness. Obviously, this is a part of the interview
process — people get nervous. This isn’t an instant interview killer since most
interviewers will forgive you to some extent. But if you can’t handle sitting
and talking in a
room, how can you be expected to fulfill the duties of the position you’re
applying for without freaking out? You need to maintain your composure and
radiate confidence. At least to the best of your abilities.
But there are other things
you can do that will, in the eyes of an employer, be
a deal breaker. A
survey from CareerBuilder has
identified the worst offenders.
“There aren’t many things
more nerve-wracking than walking into a room of people you desperately want to
impress. In a new survey from CareerBuilder, employers shared the most
memorable job interview
mistakes candidates have made and how body language can hinder their chances of
moving forward in the interview process,” a press release said.
“According to the nationwide
survey, conducted online by Harris Poll on behalf of CareerBuilder from
November 16 to December 6, 2016 among more than 2,600 hiring and human resource
managers, it doesn’t take long for a hiring manager to make a decision,” the
release continued.
From that survey, here are five
fatal mistakes that
can instantly ruin your shot at getting a job offer.
Dressing
Down
What to wear for an
interview is always a big question. But it shouldn’t be. We all know first
impressions count and your physical appearance especially during a job
interview can be a deal breaker if you do not dress appropriately. Even if you
are aware that the dress code at the company is casual, remember that applies
once you become an employee and not during an interview.
Your appearance is
non-verbal communication. To convey that you are serious about the interview
process and the job, dress professionally. Always wear a suit and select the
right colors.
According to CareerBuilder’s
survey, 49% of employers said that dressing inappropriately was an instant deal
breaker.
2.
Lying
Don’t lie. Employers hate
it. You hate it when
employers lie to you. So, just avoid it. If you get caught, an employer will
make you pay for it. According to CareerBuilder’s survey, 66% of employers said
lying was a deal breaker even if it was lying on the resume. The worst
lie you can put on your resume? Where you went to school.
Evidently, that really ruffles some feathers.
3. Using
Your Phone
Most
of us know that we shouldn’t be texting or answering calls during an interview.
But some people clearly don’t, as many employers say that interviewees taking
phone calls or sending texts are a common mistake.
CareerBuilder’s survey said that 64% employers consider that to be a fatal
mistake.
Evidently,
it needs to be said: Turn off your phone, leave it
somewhere else, or put it on silent. There’s no reason you should look at it
during an interview. During the time you’re behind those doors, you may as well
be on an airplane.
4.
Being Arrogant
The author Ryan Holiday wrote
a book about
how your ego
can be your downfall. And this is exactly the kind of thing that he was talking
about: In many cases, ego is the enemy. But it’s tricky during an interview.
You need to discuss your accomplishments in a calm and comfortable manner. You
need to explain why
you’re the best man or woman for the job. But you have to do it with a sense of
humility — you can’t come across as an arrogant jerk.
Arrogance or entitlement
will ruin your odds for 59% of the employers CareerBuilder
surveyed.
5.
Showing a Lack of Accountability
Refuse to take ownership? Only want the credit and none of the blame? Even if you don’t realize your own lack of accountability, others will. It’s something that drives your bosses and co-workers crazy, and will also reflect poorly on you as a candidate. Things go wrong, sometimes. And you need to own up to your mistakes — just as you should be proud when things go as planned. The survey said 48% of employers consider a lack of accountability to be a deal breaker.
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