If you've ever gone on a job interview, you know that they can be stressful. You want to put your best foot forward and make sure that your interviewer is impressed with you—but all too often, people make mistakes during interviews that sabotage their chances of getting the job.
Here are five common mistakes that job candidates have made in the past and how to avoid them:
Arriving or signing on late
Arriving late is a big no-no, and it can ruin your chances of an interview. Arrive 10-15 minutes early to the office or location where you are meeting with the employer. If you are so close to the location that it would be difficult for you to get there on time, then call them in advance and ask if they still want to see you even though you're late.
If you're doing an virtual interview, be sure to login early and have your camera and microphone ready to go!
Dressing inappropriately
Don't dress too casually. You don't want to show up in shorts and flip-flops, but you also don't want to wear a suit or business attire.
Don't dress too formally. No one wants to see you in your best Sunday best either; go for something more casual so that you look like yourself and not just another interviewee in a sea of suits.
Don't reveal too much skin—no cleavage, no short skirts and no tank tops! You want them looking at your skills and personality, not thinking about your body parts (unless they're the right ones).
Avoid dirty clothes; if they're stained and/or wrinkled, it's time for a new outfit (but avoid splurging on expensive clothing).
Baggy clothes are another mistake that can hurt your chances at getting hired—you'll look more professional if everything fits properly without being baggy or tight-fitting.
Badmouthing a former employer
It's never a good idea to badmouth a former employer. Just don't do it! If you do, it will look like you're not mature enough to handle rejection and/or that your work ethic is less than stellar. Either way, the company won't want to hire someone who can't admit when something doesn't go right or who lacks the self-awareness necessary to take responsibility for their own shortcomings. The last thing anyone wants is an employee who blames others and makes excuses instead of fixing any problems they might encounter at work (and there will always be problems).
No preparation for typical interview questions
There are a few things you can do to prepare for common interview questions, including:
Researching the company and the interviewer. This doesn’t mean simply reading the job description or looking for employee reviews on Glassdoor; it means learning about their goals and how those goals align with your experience and personality. If you can demonstrate that you understand what makes them unique, this will make it much easier for your interviewer to see why they need you on board.
Practicing answers to typical questions (e.g., “Tell me about yourself”) in advance so that you have a concise response ready by the time they come up during an actual interview. Remember: Your answer should be short enough that it won't bore people who haven't read its entirety yet but gives enough detail so that potential employers can get an idea of who you are as a person or professional candidate. Also remember: Don't lie! It's not worth lying if doing so means risking being caught later down the line when things go south between employer and employee—and maybe even legal trouble if there's no contract involved at all! On top of all this, try researching behavioral questions before hand because knowing how best respond will help set boundaries around expectations which may lead into further opportunities later down road too."
Limited knowledge of the company you want to work for
If you don't know anything about the company, it will be obvious to the interviewer. This can be a big red flag and make you seem like an unqualified candidate. And if they catch on to this, they might not be willing to take a chance on hiring you despite your strong skillset.
To avoid this mistake:
Know the company's products and services
Know the history of the company (e.g., how long has it been around)
Know what sets them apart from their competitors? What makes them unique? Research these things before your interview so that you can talk about them in an informed way during your interview!
Avoiding these five mistakes will give you a much better chance of landing the job. We hope this article has given you some helpful tips on how to avoid common job interview mistakes. Good luck in your next interview!
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