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Five big interview mistakes to avoid

Picture the scene. Your sparkling CV and beautifully written covering letter have impressed and you've been offered an interview for your dream job. It's a great feeling but too many people get lulled into a false sense of security. Being selected for interview is a huge step towards landing the role you want, but it's only the start.

The important thing is to ensure you're ready for the big day; just because you've impressed your potential employer enough for them to offer you an interview doesn't mean it's a done deal. Too many people fall down at the interview stage because of a lack of preparation or making avoidable mistakes. Below are examples of some of the biggest interview gaffes to steer clear of:

Don't look scruffy
It's important to look your best whether you're interviewing for office-based graduate jobs or roles in what you might consider a more informal setting. You'd be surprised at the number of people who turn up for interviews in jeans and trainers or with their shirt untucked - never assume casual dress is acceptable for interviews. If you have a feeling dressing down for your specific interview would be fine, always ring ahead and check. Otherwise, play it safe and wear a suit - nobody's ever been turned away from an interview for looking too smart.

Don't play with your mobile phone
Always remember to switch your phone to silent - or, even better, turn it off - before you head in to your interview. And whatever you do, don't pick up your phone if you do get a call. It might sound like an obvious point, but candidates have been known to let themselves down in such a way.

Don't boast
While it's clearly important to talk yourself up to a certain extent, going too far can have an adverse affect. If you speak extensively about what a great candidate you are you run the risk of coming across as arrogant. Employers are looking for people who will fit in well with the rest of the team; it's all very well having the necessary skills, but if you seem cocky then you're not going to get the job.

Don't let your concentration wander
Stay focussed on the person asking you questions at all times. If you let your eyes wander off into the distance as it can begin to look that you'd much rather be somewhere else. It doesn't matter how right for the role you are, if you can't even concentrate during the interview, then why should they believe that you'll give the job your full attention?

Don't panic if you feel it's going badly
It's a cliché but it's true that the interviews you feel have gone poorly are often the ones you end up getting a job offer from. The key is to not worry if you feel you've given a duff answer. Go back and clarify if possible, or, failing that, forget about it and concentrate on the next question. Whatever you do, don't dwell on it. It's possible to turn around an interview if you get off to a bad start, so don't assume you've blown it. Remember that employers are sympathetic to your plight; they realise interviews can be stressful so will allow a certain amount of leeway.

About the Author

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Author (bythesea). Submitted on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 Time: 1:47 PM

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