6 Tips for Common Interview Mistakes - CareerAlley

6 Tips for Common Interview Mistakes - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Interviewing is a two-way street and your success will depend on your ability to answer the questions asked and asking the right questions. You need to listen to what the interviewer is saying and respond with answers that will convince them that you are the right person for the job. Facial expressions, eye contact and keywords that match the job description are all very important in the interview process.When you show up unprepared for a job interview, it doesnt go unnoticed. Recruiters and HR professionals are checking out everything from the way youre dressed to whether youve researched the company, and theyre making mental or actual notes along the way. Assuming you understand the importance of a professional appearance and how critical it is to do your homework about a company before the day of your interview, heres a look at some tips to utilize to maximize your chances of landing that dream job. Suggested Reading:21 Deadly Job Interview Mistakes You Dont Know Youre Making Focus on the Facts If you cannot answer the questions raised at the interview, then why are you there? Make sure you read as much as possible. While you want to appear confident in your interview, you want to avoid coming off overly confident, because this could raise a red flag to the recruiter that you might not work well as part of a team. When youre peppered with questions, answer them succinctly and factually, and avoid unnecessary fluff. Stay Cool and Collected If youre the type of person who tends to ramble when youre nervous, youre not alone. Doing so can make the interviewer nervous, however, because they might expect you to behave in the same manner when dealing with their clients. The best way to calm those nerves is to show up thoroughly versed in the company, and prepared to answer whatever they ask. Conduct a mock interview for yourself, and prepare answers for the questions youll most likely be asked during the real deal. Dont Hesitate to Request More Time, if Necessary Sometimes, recruiters and HR professionals will throw random or difficult questions at you that you hadnt planned for in an attempt to see how you handle pressure. Rather than stutter until you come up with something, go ahead and ask for a little more time, or see if you can return to that particular question at the close of the interview. Leave the Cigarettes at Home You know the old saying you only get one change to make a good first impression. Even if you regularly carry gum, mints, and perfume, leave those smokes at home. Many people consider smoking a repulsive habit, and even if they dont, they may not want to hire someone whos going to take hourly cigarette breaks. Prepare Technologically, and Prepare Well If a presentation is part of your interview process, make sure youve tested whatever technology youre using, and that you know how to work it. Nothing looks more unprofessional than bumbling around with a machine while your interviewer looks on impatiently. When to Have the Salary Talk Bringing up salary during a primary interview is like going for a good night kiss at the beginning of a first date; most people generally arent receptive to it. Keep those questions to yourself for the time beingyou dont want to look like youre interested in only one thing. Its wise to get at least a rough idea of the salary a job offers before you show up for the interview. Not only can discussing salary with the interviewer be uncomfortable, but you may also find out that its not enough for your needs, in which case youve wasted both of your time. By staying calm and collected during the interview process and making the aforementioned considerations, youre that much more likely to receive the phone call and the job offer youve been looking for. Career Tip of the Day:Planning for Your Job Search Lesson 1 We are always eager to hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions regarding CareerAlley content. Good luck in your search,Joey Google+ what where job title, keywords or company city, state or zip jobs by What's next? Ready to take action? Choose the right tools to help you build your career. Looking for related topics? Find out how to nail the interview and get hired. Subscribe and make meaningful progress on your career. It’s about time you focused on your career. Get Educated Contact Us Advertise Copyright 2020 CareerAlley. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy + Disclosure home popular resources subscribe search