Job interviews are nerve-wracking and intimidating. There’s a ton of pressure to look good, come off as confident, and make a lasting impression. But the more you prepare for your interview, the more likely you’ll be to succeed! Here are 10 job interview mistakes to avoid so that you can walk out with a new job offer in hand.
Why You Should Prepare for Your Interview
In order to navigate the interview process smoothly, you’ll need to review some job interview dos and don’ts before your big day. For example, do your research on the company that you’re interviewing with so that you can answer their questions confidently. You may already know what they look for in a candidate or what their company culture is like from reading their website, but it’s always best to be prepared!
If you have any follow-up questions about the position or company after meeting with them for an interview, do not hesitate to ask them! Some people panic during interviews and forget to ask important follow-ups; these are just opportunities to make a good impression on the person interviewing you.
Additionally, dress appropriately for your interview. No one wants to see someone in sweatpants walking into an office building when they’re interviewing at a professional company. Use Google Images and other resources available online to find out what employers usually wear so that you can show up looking professional!
Job Interview Mistakes to Avoid
So many things can go wrong during an interview. The last thing yo0u want is not knowing what to do about what you should know how to do. Below we will be talking about common interview mistakes that you should avoid;
1. Not researching the company
This is the most fatal mistake an interviewee can make. Do yourself a favour by doing your homework. Find out the purpose of the company, when it was created, the services it offers, its market routes. Find out about how it has transitioned through the years and how it remains relevant. Research on its founders and executives. Know about the company’s top 5 competitors in the market. Search on any and everything relevant to the company; this gives you an edge over your competition.
2, Not going to the interview on time.
Believe it or not, this is the first impressi0on that the company has about you. You don’t want to blow it up. When going for an interview, make sure to be at least half an hour early. This gives you time to relax, gather your thoughts and mentally prepare yourself.
3. Not having your resume ready to show recruiters.
Under no circumstance should you not have your resume ready. Whether or not you have already submitted a soft copy, always make sure you have a hard copy ready to be submitted.
4. Missing the interview because you overslept or didn’t prepare for it well enough.
This is just unprofessional, and it shows how unserious you are. No company wants careless e, employees.
5. Ignoring the importance of dress code during an interview.
Please do not show up at an interview dressed casually. Your outfit should be very corporal. Your colour blend should be very intentional. Don’t look like a rainbow with too many colours on, and avoid going all dark. You want to keep it neutral and professional. For males, please endeavour to wear ties and the ladies, if you can, put on heels, and if you can, just don’t wear slippers.
6. Body language
When answering questions during an interview, your body language counts a lot. Are your shoulders slump in the way you talk, the pitch of your voice? Are your eyes on the floor or the ceiling or outside?. During an interview, you must be vibrant, enthusiastic, sit upright, your voice should be loud and clear, your answers should be strategic. And most importantly, have eye contact; it shows you’re confident.
7. Being overly nervous and distracted during your interview with the hiring manager.
Being nervous and distracted during an interview can be your one-way ticket to not getting the job. You have to get your nerves under control and get your focus in the room.
8. Coming off as arrogant, self-centred, or cocky when asking about the job’s specifics.
Companies want confident employees, but no one wants their authority challenged. Don’t be cooky during an interview. Find other ways to let the hiring manager know that they need you without coming off as smug.
9. Making inappropriate comments about how much money you will make at this job (stay professional!)
This cannot be overemphasised. Do not make annoying comments or murmur. Don’t grumble. It is unprofessional and childish. If you have any questions or concerns, find neutral ways to communicate them.
10. Being disorganised and forgetting to prep for a job interview in advance
Remember that an interview is also organised to see how you work under pressure. You do not want to get into the interview and start struggling to find your resume or trying to coordinate your responses. You show you off as reckless, unserious and inefficient.
Picture this, imagine taking out time to attend to a patient on your day off free of charge. You put in so much love and affection to listening to their story as a good therapist, and then once they feel better, they simply wall out, without even a thank you. Rude right?. That is exactly how interviewers feel when you walk off without even a thank you. Don’t make that mistake. In all your getting, get gratitude.
Ways to Come Across as Confident
A common interview mistake is to come across as too nervous. While it’s great to be excited about the opportunity, you should also show confidence in your ability to do well in the job. This can be done by preparing for the interview and being familiar with the company. If you feel like you don’t have enough information, ask relevant questions or research more about the company before your interview. One thing that many people forget to do is make eye contact with their interviewer and maintain positive body language. Making eye contact shows that you’re interested in what they’re saying and makes them feel comfortable talking to you. It isn’t just about maintaining eye contact but rather how long it lasts. You want to make sure that your interviewer doesn’t feel uncomfortable or out of place when looking into your eyes for an extended amount of time.
How to Answer the “Why Do You Want This Job?” Question
The “Why do you want this job?” question is one of the most common types of interview questions. It’s hard to answer because people often say different things for different reasons. The best thing to do is be honest and show how you can help solve a problem that your interviewer faces on a day-to-day basis.
A good example would be saying, “I’m in school to become an accountant, and I love working with numbers. I think I could excel in this field.” This shows that you have experience with numerical data and that you have a passion for it. It also shows that you are looking for a career where you have the opportunity to work with numbers.
Some sample interview questions
Answering questions is the trickiest part of an interview. Preparing for the question and answer session is very important. Remember, your interviewer will likely ask questions about your experience, skills, and workflow. If you’re not sure how to answer these questions or what they’ll be asking, use our tips below to prepare yourself!
1. How long have you been working in this field?
2. Where did you work before this position?
3. What kind of projects have you worked on?
4. Do you have any additional experience relevant to this position?
5. How do you feel about travelling for business?
6. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
7. What are your strengths and weaknesses in marketing?
8. Why should we hire you over other candidates?
9. Have you ever been fired from a job before? If so, what happened?
10. What are your salary expectations?
Conclusion
It’s important to prepare for your job interview and avoid the 10 job interview mistakes listed in this article. Also, be prepared to answer these five questions that will give you an edge over your competition. What are your strengths? What do you like to do in your spare time? What are your weaknesses? What motivates you to succeed?. We hope this article was able to help you get more information about how to get that job. We advise you to observe the information provided above. Be confident, do your part and leave the rest to the universe.