What Not To Do During An Interview. – These 13 blunders could be the reason you didn’t get the job
1. INAPPROPRIATE DRESSING:
The importance of dressing appropriately cannot be overemphasised. Dress well and look the part. As much as you might not like it, how you look also matters to them because they want to employ someone that would represent their brand properly and if you are looking all unkempt, it communicates a wrong image to them.
It is probably wiser to lay out whatever you are going to wear before time. Be simple but classy and elegant, stay away from heavy fragranced perfumes or too colorful clothing.
2. HAVE YOUR PHONE ON LOUD:
It would not do well for your interview if your phone comes on during an interview. It is rude and should not even happen. Your best bet is to keep your phone off so as not to avoid taking chances all together or at the very least, put it on silence. It doesn’t speak well of you no matter how you want to look at it.
3. USE INFORMAL LANGUAGE:
The interviewers are not your buddies; you are not best friends even if they are friendly and try to create some kind of rapport. So keep your “mate, bro, yolo, ain’t” to yourself.
The best language to go with which would keep you on the safe side even though they operate a casual and informal environment there is to stick to formal language.
When you get employed, you can learn the language of the company but for the interview, keep it formal.
4. POOR BODY LANGUAGE:
You do not want to go for an interview looking like you were forced there or looking fidgety. No, maintain eye contact with the interviewers, shake them firmly and sit confidently. Try to relax but do not slouch like you are in your bed room. Try not to look bored as well; those would not help you score good points with the interviewers.
5. SPEAKING ILL OF PAST/CURRENT EMPLOYER:
It is very normal if you have something against your past or current employer but that is not an interview discussion. You can complain to friends and family if you deem fit but the interviewers are definitely not the right people to complain. You do not want to come across as one who is carrying a grudge. It would make them feel if they fall into past employer someday, you would do the same to them. Loyalty is very attractive.
6. NOT ASKING QUESTIONS:
Not asking questions can make you come across as not intelligent or unserious. They believe if you have done your homework and read up about them, you would have questions about something you read but unclear about or something the interviewer said during the course of the interview.
So ask questions if given the opportunity and if not, ask for permission to ask. It gives you leverage over others.
7. ASKING UNINTELLIGENT OR GENERIC QUESTIONS:
Asking unintelligent questions is as good as not asking questions. Do not go there asking generic questions like, “what does the company do?” what does … abbreviation stands for?” You could have gotten answers to questions like that if you had done a proper research. You have no excuse, especially not in this age of technology.
8. APPEAR ARROGANT:
You might have the skills and be more qualified than the next person but if the next person appears humble and teachable, he or she would be prepared over you. Nobody wants to work with Mr “know it all,” they are looking for a team player, who can work with others. Act like one.
9. PLAYING AROUND WITH UNNECESSARY PROPS:
Stay away from your phone, nails or any other props that would make you look fidgety. You should know not to text or call or receive a call during an interview. Let your attention be completely on the hiring managers and look like you want to be there.
10. INTERRUPTING:
Sometimes, silence is indeed golden. When the interviewer is talking, please do not interrupt. Let them communicate their thought before you talk. Talking too much is not going to help you get a job; restrain can be attractive as well.
11. USE OF CLICHÉS:
There are quite a few phrases that the interviewer has heard so much it has become trite. Phrases like “I am a perfectionist,” “I am a hard worker,” “I work well under pressure” and a few others have been overused. Stay unique; take your time before the interview to think up answers to possible questions.
12. TAKING THE INTERVIEW PERSONAL:
The interview is not about you, it is about getting the best candidate for the job so try not to make it about you. Whatever you do, do not show anger because the line of questioning is not what you expected or the interview is not going as you expected.
Remain polite no matter the pressure, even at the face of a rejection. You never know if you would need to pass through their doors again, the last thing you need is to burn bridges because you became emotional about an interview.
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13. SITTING BEFORE INVITED:
It might sound trite but do not sit when you have not been invited to. When you enter, greet and wait for them to offer you a seat, and then thank them before taking it. Taking a seat yourself is impolite and can come off as rude.
A lot of people do not miss opportunities at working at their dream job because they lack qualifications, no, they miss it because they are not familiars with the blunders that interviewers look out for. If you pay mind to all these and take note to avoid them, you would find you would have a better chance at doing well at interviews.