The ten most common interview mistakes and how to avoid them.
Preparing for an interview involves more than just rehearsing answers and updating your CV. Going through a job selection process is often daunting, and the bigger the job, the more overwhelming it can get. To leave a positive impression, make sure you avoid the ten most frequently made interview mistakes.
- Lack of Preparation
Mistake: Not researching the company or the role.
Solution: Take time to understand the company’s mission, values, products, services, and industry standing. Know the job description well and be ready to discuss how your skills and experiences align with the role.
- Poor First Impressions
Mistake: Arriving late or dressing inappropriately.
Solution: Aim to arrive at least 10-15 minutes early. Dress professionally and appropriately for the company culture. Smile and shake hands firmly. Call the interviewer by their name.
- Failing to Listen
Mistake: Talking over the interviewer or not fully answering questions.
Solution: Practice active listening. Ensure you understand the question before answering and avoid interrupting. Keep your answers on subject and don’t ramble on too long, but give a thorough answer. If you don’t know the answer to a question, say so, but give them an alternative example of something similar you do know.
- Negative Attitude
Mistake: Speaking poorly about past employers or colleagues.
Solution: Stay positive. Focus on what you learned from previous experiences rather than what went wrong.
- Being Too Modest or Overconfident
Mistake: Underselling your achievements or coming across as arrogant.
Solution: Strike a balance. Be confident about your accomplishments without exaggerating. Use specific examples to illustrate your skills and successes.
- Not Asking Questions
Mistake: Having no questions for the interviewer. This suggests at best a lack of preparation, and at worst, a lack of interest. Nobody ever a got a job offer by displaying a lack of interest.
Solution: Prepare thoughtful questions about the role, team, and company culture. This shows your genuine interest and engagement.
- Not Tailoring Responses
Mistake: Giving generic answers that don’t relate to the job.
Solution: Tailor your responses to the specific role and company. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers with relevant examples.
- Overemphasising Money
Mistake: Bringing up salary and benefits too early.
Solution: Wait for the interviewer to bring up remuneration. Focus on expressing your enthusiasm for the role and what you can bring to the company to soften the cost of your wage.
- Poor Body Language
Mistake: Displaying negative body language, such as poor eye contact, crossing arms, or fidgeting.
Solution: Maintain good posture, make eye contact, and offer a firm handshake. Practice open, confident body language. Smiling will put the interviewer at ease and make you feel better. It may also hide any nerves you have.
- Failing to Follow Up
Mistake: Not connecting after the interview. The most common error.
Solution: Send a personal thank-you email within 24 hours. Express your appreciation for the opportunity and briefly reiterate your interest in the role. Connect with the interviewer on LinkedIn, but not on any other social channels.
KPI Commercial Director Keeley Callan said, “Interviews are always nerve-racking, but interviewers expect people to be nervous to start with and usually make allowances. Preparation is absolutely key – it will give you the confidence to beat your nerves and make a great impression.”
“By avoiding these common mistakes, you'll improve your chances of making a strong, positive impact and advancing in the hiring process.”
