The 10 Biggest Interview Mistakes & How You Can Avoid Them
Preparing for an interview can be a daunting process, especially if you have not had much experience in the area. It can be easy to slip up and make a common interview mistake, so knowing what to avoid and how to ace a job interview will improve your chances of landing your dream job role.
See our top picks for the 10 biggest interview mistakes you can make, and how to avoid them here.
10 of the Biggest Interview Mistakes
Succeeding in a job interview requires good knowledge of how to answer questions and provide a good first impression to your interviewers. There are a number of interview mistakes that you can make, but some of the biggest mistakes include:
Arriving Late
Punctuality is crucial to provide a good first impression to interviewers. Being punctual for a job interview shows that you are considerate of others’ time, you are organised, and you are keen for the advertised job.
To avoid this interview mistake, plan your route in advance, consider traffic or transportation delays, and aim to arrive at least 10-15 minutes early.
Not Researching the Company
Lack of knowledge about the company shows disinterest and can be a turn-off for potential employers. It is common for interview questions to relate to the particular company you are interviewing for, so gaining a basic understanding of the company and its values is key to success.
Research the company's mission, values, products/services, any recent news relating to the company, and try to gauge their work culture prior to the interview. Try to tailor your answers to reflect this knowledge during the interview to give them a good first impression.
Failing to Prepare for Common Interview Questions
There are a number of common interview questions that you can expect to be asked during an interview, and struggling to answer the easier and more straightforward questions are one of the biggest interview mistakes you can make. Complex questions are expected to be challenging, but struggling to answer questions about yourself may suggest that you lack confidence in yourself and indicate poor preparation.
Anticipate common interview questions such as "Tell me about yourself," "What are your strengths/weaknesses?" and "Why do you want to work here?". Then practice your responses beforehand to make the process easier in the interview.
Overlooking Non-verbal Cues
Body language matters during an interview as it signals confidence and personability. To avoid appearing nervous or shy, maintain eye contact, sit up straight, and avoid fidgeting throughout your interview.
By staying engaged and managing your body language, you will present yourself as enthusiastic and confident through your demeanour.
Speaking Negatively About Previous Employers
Criticising former employers or colleagues can reflect poorly on your professionalism and may not come across well. Instead, focus on discussing what you learned from past experiences and how they've prepared you for the role you're interviewing for and avoid bashing previous roles.
A common interview question is something along the lines of “What is something you didn’t like about your previous role?”. This question requires a well-worded response and is critical to get right to avoid appearing unprofessional or bitter.
Not Asking Questions
Failing to ask the interviewer questions can signal disinterest or lack of preparation. Prepare insightful questions about the company, role, team dynamics, or future projects to demonstrate your enthusiasm and interest to leave a good impression and present yourself as genuinely interested in the company.
Being Unprepared for Case Study Questions
Case studies or behavioural questions may require specific examples from your past experiences and job roles. Prepare anecdotes that showcase your skills, accomplishments, and problem-solving abilities, it is also a good idea to think of a negative professional experience you have had and use it to show how you have developed or adapted to difficult situations.
Being unable to think of a relevant example or making up things on the spot often does not come across well in interview environments.
Not Dressing Appropriately
Dressing too casually or formally can create a negative impression, so it is always good to dress to impress in a job interview. Research the company's dress code and aim to dress slightly more formally than what is typical in their workplace culture.
Long Response Times
If you are taking a long time to reply or think about your interview answers, this can have a negative impact on an interviewer’s overall impression of you. Have a basic plan before beginning an interview for your key skills, weaknesses, case study experiences, and goals to avoid long periods of unspoken time during the interview.
Lack of Confidence
Confidence is key during job interviews, as employers often seek confident and straightforward employees who can contribute to the workplace. Practice mindfulness techniques to manage nerves, rehearse your responses, and remind yourself of your qualifications and achievements to avoid appearing shy or nervous during the interview.
For help landing your dream job role, get in touch with our team at PP Associates. You can also use our interview tips guide to help you prepare for a job interview.
