How To Avoid The Most Common Mistakes Made At An Interview

After having sent out an endless number of resumes, you’ve finally been invited for an interview. You’re probably feeling a little strange in your stomach and wishing that the interview would be today instead of next week. Feeling nervous about an interview is absolutely normal. After all, it is a very important step in the job hunting process.

Surely, you’ve heard tales about people who looked perfect on paper but were complete disappointments in the interview. Many of these people didn’t get the job because they did not take the time to familiarize themselves with the common mistakes people make in interviews. A great way for you to reduce your pre-interview anxiety is to take a look at some of these and devote a little time into learning how you can make sure that you don’t repeat them.

Inadequate Preparation

Nothing demonstrates a lack of interest more than not being able to say anything about the company you’re interviewing with. You’re expected to do a small amount of research on the company’s background, product lines, divisions, and business purpose. This type of information can easily be found on the company’s website. A really good way to show the interviewer that you have read up on the company is to ask him or her a few questions about the company’s operations.

Making Negative Comments about Current or Former Employers

Even if your current or former boss treated you unfairly, the interview is not the appropriate time for you to seek revenge. Saying negative things about him or her will only make it seem like you are a disrespectful and disloyal person. In fact, the interviewer would be likely to think that you would do the same to him in the future. Nobody likes working with a gossiper or a person who bad mouths others. If you are asked why you want to change jobs, make sure you have a positive answer prepared.

Dishonesty

Whatever you do, never lie in an interview. It can be very tempting at times, but most experienced interviewers will see through you. Either that, or they will find out the truth at later point in time. Overstating your qualifications and bragging about your experiences is considered lying. If you are the right candidate for the job, there will be no need for this in the first place. And a company should want to hire you for who you are not for who you pretend to be.

Focusing on the Perks

How would you feel if you were asked for your insurance history before being allowed to test drive a car? It is completely inappropriate for you to start asking about the salary, vacation days, and yearly bonuses during an interview. The interviewer could easily think that you were more interested in the perks than the job itself. All these questions should be asked only after you have been offered the job.

To sum it up, a strong resume will get you an interview and a good interview will get you the job. Performing well in an interview requires a certain amount of preparation. Learning from the mistakes that others before you have made and being conscious of them can bring you that much closer to your dream job.