5 Things Not to do in a Job Interview!

Everyone gets nervous during job interviews, whether you are a seasoned veteran of interviewing or if you are new to the job market. This nervousness can come down to the fact that you may want the job, or you may need the job!

Perhaps you have not also prepared enough - and whatever your reason for being nervous, it's worth noting that nerves are normal and natural. The problems start to compound when the nerves go from being a helpful encouragement to a painful distraction.

Silly mistakes, although familiar, are for the most part entirely avoidable and can be mitigated through practice.

When you are nervous, you are likely to make silly mistakes; this article is designed to warn you of 5 potential errors you can make during your job interview and how to avoid the trap of lousy interview techniques.

Don't forget what is written on your CV!

It may sound like a simple and fundamental point, but not having a firm understanding of what is actually written on your CV can paint you in a negative light.

Before the interview, the only interaction the interviewer will have had with your would-be is through your CV, so they will use the contents of your CV to start questions and as a conversation starter; hence it will come up a lot.

If you are not familiar with your CV, this shows the employer a lack of preparation and a lack of general care about the interview process. If the employer should read your CV, the least you can do is read through it yourself also to refresh yourself.

Don't discredit your former employer/colleagues.

Painting your former colleagues in an overly negative light can leave a poor taste in the employer's mouth. Legitimate and careful criticism, without any zeal or malice, can be used to help explain to an employer can help paint a picture, but slander and poor manners leave a lot to be desired.

This shows the employer that you may be challenging to work with or that you may have had a number of skill or personal issues in your previous role, which doesn't replicate well in the organization you are interviewing for.

Don't come unprepared - build answers using real-life scenarios!

Reviewing common interview questions is an excellent tool for preparing for an interview. Thinking through these questions helps you to present yourself eloquently, accurately, and positively. Take note of your skills and past accomplishments, and think about how you can integrate these points into your answers to prove that you can be a great addition to the company.

Common interview questions may include:

• Why do you want this job?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• Where do you see yourself in five years?

Make sure to tailor these questions to your specific journey and do not answer questions generically. This shows you are passionate about the role, and you are a generally well-prepared and thoughtful person.?

Don't forget the interview basics!

Interview basics go a long way - these are the bedrock to a good interview, and although you may be the ideal candidate for the job role, you may be let down by some easy-to-integrate interview best practices designed to show respect and courtesy;

• Be on time
• Dress to impress (virtual or not!)
• Address the interviewer by name, regularly
• Know what you know and what you don't know!

If you can get the basics of an interview right from the get-go - you are much more likely to succeed by showing the interviewer the best possible version of yourself.

Don't ignore your interviewer - ask them questions!

It is a great idea to ask your interviewer many questions. Having a list of questions to ask an interviewer makes you look interested, enthusiastic, and engaged - all qualities that the employer will be looking for.

Avoid asking questions that focus too much on what the organization can do for you. Save questions about salary and holiday allowance for when you've got a job offer, and lean more towards clarifying queries and questions about the job role.

While it's ok to ask your interviewer to clarify specific points, avoid asking about anything that has previously been covered. You don't want them to think you haven't been paying attention. Here are a few examples of pertinent and probing questions you can pose to the interviewer:

• Can you tell me more about the day-to-day responsibilities of the role?
• How could I impress you in the first three months?
• Are there opportunities for training and progression within the role/company?
• Where do you think the company is headed in the next five years?
• Can you describe the working culture of the organization?
• What do you enjoy about your job?
• Can you tell me more about the team I would be working in?

These questions set you apart from the rest and allow you to build a powerful rapport with the interviewer and clarify any points.

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Thanks for reading our 5 Things Not to do in a Job Interview Guide! Best of luck in your interviews!