How can you avoid common mistakes during a Business Services job interview?

2 Dress appropriately and professionally

Another mistake that could ruin your first impression is to dress inappropriately or unprofessionally for your interview. You need to consider the dress code and the culture of the company, and choose an outfit that reflects your respect and professionalism. Avoid wearing anything too casual, flashy, revealing, or distracting. Opt for a clean, neat, and conservative look that suits the business services sector. You can also accessorize with a briefcase, a portfolio, or a pen and paper, to show your preparedness and confidence.

3 Communicate clearly and confidently

Communication is a key skill in any business services role, and you need to showcase it during your interview. You need to avoid any communication mistakes that could undermine your credibility and competence, such as mumbling, rambling, interrupting, using filler words, or being vague. You need to speak clearly, confidently, and concisely, using proper grammar, vocabulary, and tone. You need to listen attentively to the interviewer's questions, and answer them with relevant examples, facts, and figures. You need to avoid any negative or controversial topics, such as politics, religion, or personal issues. You need to also express your interest and enthusiasm for the role and the company, using positive and polite language.

4 Highlight your achievements and value

One of the most important aspects of any job interview is to convince the interviewer that you are the best candidate for the role, and that you can add value to the company. You need to avoid any mistakes that could downplay your achievements and value, such as being modest, humble, or self-deprecating. You need to showcase your accomplishments and skills, using specific and quantifiable examples from your previous or current roles. You need to also highlight how you can solve problems, improve processes, increase efficiency, or generate revenue for the company. You need to use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, and show your impact and contribution.

5 Follow up after the interview

The last mistake that you can make is to forget or neglect to follow up after your interview. You need to show your appreciation and interest for the opportunity, and keep yourself in the mind of the interviewer. You need to send a thank-you email within 24 hours of your interview, reiterating your enthusiasm and suitability for the role, and addressing any questions or concerns that the interviewer may have. You need to also follow up with a phone call or another email after a week or two, if you have not heard back from the company. You need to be polite, professional, and persistent, but not annoying or desperate.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?