Avoid these 6 mistakes in your next job interview

Everybody makes mistakes, everybody has those days. Job interviews can be nerve-wracking, and mistakes are sometimes easily made. No worries though. Today, we’ll dive into the most common mistakes people make during their interviews, and how to avoid them. We’ll share some practical tips as well. So sit down, get comfy (maybe get a cup of coffee) and start stepping up your interview game.

These are the mistakes that are most frequently made:

1. You didn’t prepare (enough)
2. You are too negative
3. You’re not specific enough
4. You start rambling
5. You’re too confident and cocky
6. You fail to ask questions

Mistake #1 - You didn’t prepare (enough)

We might have said it a 100 times, but we’ll say it again: preparation is everything. Fail to prepare, prepare to fail. By not researching the company, role, and interviewer you can come across as uninterested or unprepared.?

Solution: Always do your homework. Learn as much as you can about the company’s values, goals and the role you’re interviewing for by checking their website or asking your recruiter. Want to know if you prep'd enough? Pretend you’re talking to a friend and telling them about the company. If you can do this without a problem, you’re all set!

Mistake #2 - You are too negative

The reason you’re interviewing for a new job can be because you’re unhappy with your previous one. However, refrain from being too negative about former employers, coworkers, or experiences, as this can make you come across as disrespectful or difficult to work with.

Rather focus on the positive aspects of your experiences and what you learned from them. Instead of being a negative Nancy, you’re now showing resilience and adaptability, which are very valuable traits in any workplace.

Mistake #3 - You’re not specific enough

Failing to provide concrete examples of your work or experience can have a negative impact on your evaluation. Hiring managers want to hear about the skills and experiences that make you unique, and not being specific about them can make it challenging for them to assess your qualifications.

Solution: Use the STAR method to structure your responses and provide specific examples.

• Situation: describe a relevant situation or task you faced.
• Task: outline the objective you needed to achieve.
• Action: explain what you did to address the situation or task.
• Result: highlight the outcome or lesson learned.

Mistake #4 - You start rambling

We often start doing this without noticing, which makes it a hard mistake to avoid. Talking too much, or too fast, can distract from your key story. As for many things, quality goes over quantity. Oversharing or straying off-topic can leave a negative impression.

Keep it concise and on point. Even if your interviewer is very friendly, you should try to avoid sharing overly personal information. Maintain appropriate boundaries and stick to the relevant details that demonstrate your professional strengths.?

p.s. Not to say you can’t talk about your personality, just keep it a bit more professional.

Mistake #5 - You’re too confident and cocky

Don’t get us wrong, confidence is a good thing! But, don’t get too cocky during the interview, as arrogance can be seen as unprofessional. You don’t want anyone to think you’re uncoachable or difficult to collaborate with, right??

Aim for a humble, but self-assured approach when it comes to interviews. The best way to show your strengths is not by being overconfident, but by showcasing your accomplishments and experience in relevant, real-life examples. Keep it humble by acknowledging the areas where you’re still learning and growing.

Mistake #6 - You fail to ask questions

The last, but certainly not the least: failing to ask questions. Asking questions is such a great opportunity to get to know the company better, so not asking anything can be your biggest loss.?

Solution: Be curious, inquire about the culture, growth opportunities and even the interviewer’s personal experiences working at the company. Prepare your questions ahead of time, or take a look at these 9 questions you can ask at your next interview.

Conclusion

By now, your coffee cup is probably empty, so let’s round this off, shall we? These were the top mistakes to avoid during job interviews. Keep these tips in mind as you prepare for your next interview, and you’ll be well on your way to land that job in no time.

And remember, even if you don't get the job, there's always a lesson to be learned – like how to perfect your interview skills for the next opportunity!