interview

Top Five Interview Mistakes

Damn. I knew I shouldn’t have told them that.
It’s happened again. You made a fatal error during a job interview. Blown your only chance to impress the panel. And now, you’re kicking yourself. Stressing that it may happen again at your next opportunity.

Fear not, fellow reader! We’ve all been there, done that and bought the T-Shirt. The important thing to do is move on and learn what to dodge when another interview comes along. Listed below are five mistakes that can occur during an interview, and how you can avoid them.

Always dress for the occasion

The most crucial detail in a job interview is the dress code. A common mistake is not being dressed in smart clothing and walking into the room with inappropriate or casual clothing, which doesn’t exactly paint you in a good light. No matter which company interviews you, the key to success is to always dress to impress.

We decide on someone in the first 5 seconds based on appearance, dress to impress is so important.  Wear colour, this always makes you remembered – it doesn’t have to be grey or black.  Think about the company you are interviewing at – do research on their culture – this will help.

Know Your Enemy

Think of it like this; the interviewer is your opponent and the interview itself is the battlefield. If you want to win the job, it’s advisable that you research what it is that the company you wish to work for does. Look at everything they have to offer, and see what you can bring to the table, in terms of responsibilities and qualifications. If you haven’t researched, then you’ll stand out like a sore thumb.

Explain Yourself

This is an obvious trap for interviewees to wander into. You stride into the room, only for them to frown if you come up with a vague answer to one of their questions or if you’re not being clear about something on your CV. Be prepared for anything in that moment. Listen carefully to the questions. Have your CV at the ready, that’s what’s important right now: Pitching yourself and what you can do. Match your skills to what they are wanting and give relevant examples.

Confidence

It’s very easy for you to be yourself, and rightfully so. But in the case of an interview, it’s important to be confident in all of the above reasons. The worst thing you can do is show no confidence whatsoever, whether it be in the form of fidgeting, not looking the interviewer in the eye, or just simply mumbling your answers. Remember to sit up straight. Give them eye contact. Show them what you’ve done on your CV. Walk into the room, and give it your best shot, otherwise, it may not happen again.

Full of it

I know we’ve mentioned confidence being important in a job interview, but don’t overstretch it to the point of being arrogant. This can also manifest itself in body language, such as slouching, telling too many jokes, and interrupting the interviewers. It is important to be as honest as you can in the interview, even if you don’t end up getting the job.

Make a good impression but don’t be arrogant.

There you have it. Five interview mistakes you need to avoid if ever applying to a job.

Any questions? Let us know, we’ll be happy to help [email protected]