3 things to avoid in interviews

As a recruiter, I am fond of creating a relaxed and friendly atmosphere in the interview. I think it′s a good way to better understand who the person is that sits in front of you. The less nervousness the more genuine. With that said, as a candidate you need to be careful as there are things to watch out for especially with deceptive people like me :) Never forget that in an interview everything you say will be assessed and evaluated, even if the conversation feels like a chat with a friend...

Here are some tips on what to try and avoid during your next interview.

1. Talking badly about your current boss or colleagues. Of course, this is a very common reason behind wanting to leave your current workplace but try to spin it into a more positive setting, reframe it without lying. I once spent an entire interview with a candidate who talked more about the idiots that she had to work with than what she was looking forward to in the new role I interviewed her for. I can assure you that such an attitude will never win someone over and no company wants to hire someone who is badmouthing them (they will expect the same to happen to them..).
2. Over-sharing of personal stuff. Never forget that an interview is a formal conversation, even if the recruiter or the manager you meet make you feel comfortable and acts like it′s a friendly chat. Only share things that are relevant for you when sharing your professional story and keep in mind that the person you talk to will summarize the conversation afterward trying to figure out if you are a good fit for the team and the role. If you find yourself going to deep-down into a story about why your last relationship ended - then stop talking, take a sip of water and return to your career. That′s what you should use the time for.
3. Putting yourself down. If you have made it to an interview try and be sure of yourself. The job ad is in most cases a wishlist of all things the company would like to have in this person - and usually, this is not even realistic. Don′t focus on the things you don′t know or that you are not qualified of - instead spend time talking about your strengths and experiences that you bring to the table. Brutal honesty on what you lack in terms of skills or knowledge is never going to get you the job. In the end, it′s not your job to assess whether you are qualified or not - let the hiring manager or recruiter figure this out for themselves.

In summary, try to be focused and stay on track during your interview. Use the time you have with the recruiter or manager wisely, be positive and believe in yourself and you are half-way there.