8 Job Interview Mistakes That Won’t Get You Hired

For those who do not have a lot experience going on job interviews, this event can be an intimidating experience. A job interview is a critical factor in whether you will or will not get hired for many companies.  This is your first impression and no matter how great your resume, blowing a job interview can ruin your chances of getting hired.  It is best to be prepared.

For many people, the actual interview can be the most stressful piece of the job searching process. During a job interview, there can be a number of things that can go wrong. Avoiding these simple mistakes can be a large part of being successful and getting hired.

This is a common one that many people may skip. An interviewee may understand some of the company’s basics, but not sit down and accomplish some valuable homework on the company. The interviewer expects prospective candidates to take time researching and reading background information about their company.

Do the research before you go on the interview.  Take some time to get into the weeds a little bit and understand what the company does, their mission statement, and who their competitors are.  Start with the company’s website. The website will reveal information about their values, their mission, and who would fit in well with that environment.  If the company does not have a website, consider talking to some of the employees, or look at similar companies online.

Without having a good idea of what the company does and who they think will fit in with their company, you are reducing your chances of getting hired.

When in doubt, overdress. Professional attire is part of the whole first impression you give to an employer. Improper, sloppy, or under dressing all show your lack of care and preparation about the job. Proper attire also shows you express pride and attention to detail. Be presentable. Wear a modest suit and clean, polished shoes.

If you are on time, you are late. Show up early. This can be an instant bad impression even before you meet the interviewer! Remember that everything, your appearance, your attitude, and your confidence, all contributes to the impression (positive or negative) that you give to the company. This can start from the moment you enter the door. If the secretary sees you are late or have a poor attitude, this can get back to the interviewer, even after you leave.

Before you go on the interview, be prepared with at least 4-5 meaningful questions to ask the interviewer. It is perfectly acceptable to have them written down in case you need to reference them. Companies look positively on a candidate that has done his or her research ahead of time. There are plenty of websites that have examples of interview questions.

An interview is the place to obtain information, and not having any questions shows that you did not prepare ahead of time for the interview.

Remember you're interviewing the company, too. Speak up and if you don’t know the answer, don’t make one up or stumble through it! This is where the research and preparation comes in handy.

This can be a hard one for some people, especially if they are not used to bragging about their skills and talents.  You don’t need to come across as bragging, but you need to let the interviewer know why you are a perfect fit for this position.

Stand out.  Discuss why you are different from the other candidates. Be confident in your major strengths and accomplishments. Give examples of how you were successful in certain situations. Show the company how your background is just what the company needs without coming across as cocky and arrogant.

Surprisingly, this can happen, especially to candidates that do not have a lot of experience with job interviews. What this means is the interviewee goes in not knowing the description of the job, what is required, and what is expected for the job position.

The best way to understand what position you are interviewing for is to memorize the job description. If you know how the job is being described, you can match your experiences, strengths, abilities, and talents with the company’s needs. At the interview, mention how those attributes make you best suited for that particular job.

Pay attention to everything being said. Pay attention to the questions asked and the answers you get. A mistake that could contribute to you not getting hired is if you do not seem focused or are distracted. If you ask a question that was obviously already answered, that shows your lack of detail. It is acceptable to clarify, but make sure you state that.

Focus on the question that is being asked and don't try to anticipate the next one. If you need to stop and prepare your thoughts before answering a question, go ahead.

Pay special attention to technical or specific work related subjects that are unique to that organization. This can also provide opportunities when you may need to answer or ask a question later on. Interviewers will be looking for your ability to assimilate new information, retain it, and recognize that information as helpful to you later in the interview.

When answering certain questions that require detailed answers and you are vague or provide only one or two sentence answers, it does not reveal yourself as a deep thinker. Technical questions or questions that require an advanced thought process should materialize in such a way that an employer can see how you problem solve and verbalize your thinking. Many times, this is more important than the answer.

In addition, the lack of details could give the impression that you did not prepare for the interview, that your verbal skills are lacking, or you are hiding something.

But, don’t drag on either.  You don’t need to be overly verbose on questions that a short answer is acceptable.

Lastly, s killer for any chance of you getting hired is if you come across bored or uninterested. When you show up and during the interview, be sure to greet the interviewer with a smile and a firm handshake, maintain eye contact, and show common courtesy.

Don't be afraid to display your enthusiasm for the job or the industry.  If you are excited about the job, the employer will likely be excited to hire you.  Of course, don’t overdue it and sound phony.  Be genuine and gracious.

The bottom line is do not try and “wing” it. Be prepared. Be honest and relaxed. Practice with mock-up interviews if necessary.  Jot down questions and notes. 

Many large companies will ask for multiple interviews.  Try to be impressive on the first on so you can have the opportunity for additional interviews.

Be prepared!