Being positive, smartly dressed and arriving on time might be seen as a given for the things you should do during a job interview. However some candidates continue to make avoidable slip-ups which can jeopardise their chances of landing a new role.
A job interview is your chance to make a good lasting impression on a potential employer, take a look at our 10 pointers below on what you should avoid doing during the interview process…
1) Arrive Late
It is almost a given that you should arrive on time to give a good first impression to a potential employer. As a rule of thumb, you should arrive at the business 10 minutes before your allotted time, so you can compose your thoughts and not appear flustered. If you’re traveling to somewhere new, do a test run beforehand so you can judge how long the journey will take you.
2) Don’t Dress Appropriately
Knowing what to wear can be a tough call; however unless stated otherwise, it’s best to arrive suited and booted. More creative roles such as web design, may ask you to arrive in more casual attire, however your outfit should still reflect that you are smart and professional.
3) Fail To Prepare
You’ll earn extra brownie points from the interviewer if you are able to demonstrate some knowledge about the company. Quite often, a recruiter will ask the question, ‘what do you know about the business?’ to gage if you have actually done your homework. Take a look at the company’s website, social media feeds and do a quick Google search to see if they have featured in the news recently.
4) Be Negative
Being negative in any sort of way is a huge turn off for a potential employer, after all they won’t want to employ someone who demonstrates a pessimistic attitude. Also don’t slate a current or previous employer even if you left on bad terms, it shows that you’re unprofessional and could do the same to this employer in the future.
5) Appear Uninterested
In a competitive job market, an interviewer is looking for a candidate who demonstrates a real passion and interest for the role and the company. If you appear uninterested during the interview, it could demonstrate that you would be unmotivated in the role and more likely to leave the company early.
6) Tell A White Lie
While we all try to big ourselves up during an interview, it’s best not to tell a white lie about a particular skill as you will quickly get found out. Instead be honest about your work history and showcase your abilities by giving a real example of when you have used your expertise in the past.
7) Be Controversial
All job interviews tend to be formal situations, therefore you should always keep all content relevant and professional. Stay clear from being too personal or discussing any controversial topics such as politics, religion or current affairs.
8) Be Over Confident
While it’s essential to have belief in your abilities and your suitability for the role, it’s important to get the balance right of being confident and arrogant. A potential employer would prefer to hear about how your skills improved a situation in the workplace and how you can fit into their team.
9) Use Negative Body Language
You may not realise it, but having good posture matters in a job interview and a recruiter will be able to read your body language. Don’t forget to sit up straight, maintain eye contact and have a firm handshake to further demonstrate a positive attitude.
10) Don’t Leave Your Phone On
Mobile phones and job interviews are not a match made in heaven. If your phone rings and interrupts the interview, this can be off-putting for both you and the recruiter. Before you enter the interview room, ensure your phone is switched off or on silent so you can fully concentrate on the interview in hand.