Most Common Interview Mistakes

What shouldn't you do when interviewing? Here are the most common job interview mistakes, blunders, and errors a candidate for employment can make.

Unfortunately, it's easy to make these mistakes without even realizing it — and many of them are more common than you might think! Take the time to prepare before your interview, so you don't have to stress out about blunders after it.

Dressing Inappropriately

When you interview a job, it's imperative to look professional and polished. Although your attire may vary based on the position you're applying for — for example, you should wear business casual clothing to an interview for a non-professional job or startup casual garb to an interview at a small startup company — it's important to look well-dressed and put together, no matter what the company.

Arriving Late

Everyone knows that first impressions are very important in landing a job, but did you know that you can make a bad first impression before you even arrive at your interview?

Running late not only suggests poor time management skills, but shows a lack of respect for the company, the position, and even your interviewer.

Go the extra length to make sure that you aren't late, and arrive on time, or even early. Budget your time so that you make it to the interview five to ten minutes early. That way, if something unforeseen comes up on your way over to your interview, you'll have some cushion time.

Bringing a Drink With You

Ditch the coffee, soda, or water bottle before you enter your interview. If you need to fuel up, do it before you get to the interview.

Not only is it unprofessional to enter with a drink, but during your interview, you should be focused on the task at hand: making a good impression, answering questions, maintaining eye contact with your potential employer, and paying attention throughout the entire interviewing process.

Having a drink in front of you creates the opportunity for distraction — fiddling with the cup, or missing a question while taking a sip, for example. And although it may be a relatively unlikely possibility, bringing a drink into your interview also gives way to other unsightly accidents — like spilling the drink on the desk, on you, or even your interviewer!

There are some things you should bring with you. Here's a list of what to bring to a job interview.

What to Bring to an Interview

Directions. If you're not sure where you're going, bring directions and any instructions the hiring manager may have given you. If you have an email confirmation of the appointment, bring that too.

If you can, do a test drive to the location to see how long the drive is, you do not want to be late. Try to arrive 10-15 minutes early.

Identification. If the building has security, you may be asked to show identification, or you may need it to complete a job application. Bring your driver's license or another form of identification with you.

Notepad and Pen. There is nothing worse than searching for a pen or asking to borrow a pen, during the interview, so make sure to bring your own. Also bring a notepad so you can jot down names, company information, or questions you come up during the interview. Bringing a pen and notepad shows you came to the interview prepared.

Names of Contacts. Write down the name of the person you're interviewing with on your notepad. It can be easy to forget a name, and you don't want to be embarrassed. Also bring the name of the person who arranged the interview, if it's a different person.

List of Questions to Ask. Have a list of questions to ask the interviewer when they ask you at the end if you have any questions for them. You will be thankful you prepared some questions ahead of time, sometimes trying to come up with a meaningful question off the top of your head can be challenging and stressful.

Extra Copies of Your Resume. Bring several copies of your resume to give out upon request. Your resume will also give you the details, like dates of previous employment, which you may need if you have to fill out a paper job application.

Reference List. Bring a printed list of references to give to the hiring manager. Include at least three professional references and their contact information. Choose references that can attest to your ability to perform the job you are applying for.

Work Samples. Depending on the type of job you're interviewing for, you may need to bring samples of your work. If they don't lend themselves to print, consider bringing your iPad or laptop.

A Portfolio. A portfolio is a great way to package all the items you're bringing with you to the interview in a neat and orderly fashion. That way, you're organized, and everything you need will be readily accessible.

What Not to Bring to a Job Interview

What you shouldn't bring to a job interview is important. Believe it or not, there are stories of applicants for internships and entry-level jobs bringing their mom or dad to the interview! Don't do it. It is both awkward and unprofessional to have a third party in the room.

In fact, it will probably cost you a job offer. You need to be able to interview on your own merits, and the company wants to interview you, not your parent.

Some other interview don’ts:

Don’t chew gum or suck on candy. Throw out the gum or candy before you enter the office.

Don’t carry in your morning coffee or protein shake.    

Don’t walk into the office talking on your phone or texting. Turn off your phone or ringer before you walk into the building.

Don’t wear a hat or cap, leave it at home.

Don’t overwhelm the interviewer with your piercings or tattoos. If you have a lot of piercings or earrings, take out a majority of them, so they aren’t a distraction (one pair of earrings, is a good rule). Do your best to cover your tattoos.

Don’t put on any strong perfumes or colognes; you never know if someone is allergic in the office.

Don't bring your parents! Leave your parent(s), friends or anyone else at home or in the car, if you needed a ride.

Mentally Prepare For Weird Questions

The interviewer may ask questions that may be a little quirky, depending on the company. Questions off topic like, “If you could be a superhero, what would be your super power?” Researching some possible weird questions and thinking about them ahead of time can be a real advantage for you.

Know What to Expect

In addition to knowing what to bring, and what not to bring, it's also a good idea to get a refresher on what may take place during the interview process.

Using Your Phone During the Interview

Before you get to your interview, silence your phone. Texting during your interview is not only rude and disruptive, but it's a pretty clear message to your potential employer that getting the job is not your top priority.

For the same reasons, don't answer calls (and certainly don't make calls!) during the interview. To resist the temptation to check your phone, stow your phone in your bag before the interview. If you accidentally forget to turn it off, resist the temptation to check it if you get a message or call.

Have you taken the time to research the company which could be your next employer? Not doing so is the next mistake.

Not Knowing Anything About the Company

Don't let your potential employer stump you with the question, "What do you know about this company? "It's one of the easiest questions to ace, if only you do some research before your interview.

Background information including company history, locations, divisions and a mission statement are available in an "About Us" section on most company websites. Review it ahead of time, then print it out and read it over just before your interview to refresh your memory. Also check the company's LinkedIn page, Facebook page, and Twitter feed, if they have one.

Do you know where you worked when? You might be surprised to know that some interviewees don't recall their dates of employment and some of the other data on their resume.

Here's how to keep your work history straight and avoid fuzzy resume facts.

Fuzzy Resume Facts

Even if you have submitted a resume when you applied for the job, you may also be asked to fill out a job application. Make sure you know the information you will need to complete an application including dates of prior employment, graduation dates, and employer contact information.

It's understandable that some of your older experiences may be hard to recall. Review the facts before your interview. If you need to, take the time to recreate your employment history, so your resume is accurate. It can be helpful to keep a copy of your resume for yourself to refer to during your interview, although certainly don't use it as a crutch.

Of course, you should never "fudge" any facts on your resume. The more truthful you are on your resume, the better you will be able to discuss your past experience during your interview.

It's very easy to get distracted during an interview, but not paying attention can cost you.

Not Paying Attention

Don't let yourself zone out during an interview. Make sure you are well-rested, alert, and prepared for your interview.

Getting distracted and missing a question looks bad on your part. If you zone out, your potential employer will wonder how you will be able to stay focused during a day on the job, if you can't even focus during one interview.

If you feel your attention slipping away, make an effort to stay engaged. Maintain eye contact, lean forward slightly when talking to your interviewer, and make an active effort to listen effectively.

While you may have no problem paying attention in a one-on-one interview in a private office, it's harder to stay in tune with the interviewer when you're meeting in a public place. Read more about tips for interviewing in a public place.

In stressful situations, as interviews often are, people tend to talk too much. That's the next interview mistake to avoid.

Talking Too Much

There is nothing much worse than interviewing someone who goes on and on and on... The interviewer really doesn't need to know your whole life story. Keep your answers succinct, to-the-point and focused and don't ramble — simply answer the question.

Don't get sidetracked and start talking about your personal life — your spouse, your home life or your children are not topics you should delve into. No matter how warm, welcoming or genial your interviewer may be, an interview is a professional situation — not a personal one.

Avoid this mistake by using nonverbal communication to impress your potential employer.

Another mistake job applicants often make is not being prepared to answer questions.

Not Being Prepared to Answer Questions

Your interviewer is probably going to ask you more than just the basics about where you worked, and when. To get a feel of your aptitude for a job, your interviewer is going to take advantage of the allotted time and flesh out everything he or she needs to know about you as an employee.

Don't let yourself be caught off guard. Prepare for your interview by reviewing what questions to expect, and how to answer them.

Be prepared with a list of questions to ask the employer so you're ready when you asked if you have questions for the interviewer. Take a look, as well, at the questions you should not ask during a job interview and here are the worst interview answers that you should avoid at all costs.

It's important to keep it positive and not speak badly of your prior employers. Here's why it's a mistake to badmouth your company, boss or co-workers.

Badmouthing Past Employers

Don't make the mistake of badmouthing your boss or coworkers. It's sometimes a smaller world than you think and you don't know who your interviewer might know, including that boss who is an idiot... You also don't want the interviewer to think that you might speak that way about his or her company if you leave on terms that aren't the best.

When interviewing for a job, you want your employer to know that you can work well with other people and handle conflicts in a mature and effective way, rather than badmouthing your coworkers or talking about other people's incompetence.

When you're asked hard questions, like "Tell me about a time that you didn't work well with a supervisor. What was the outcome and how would you have changed the outcome?" or "Have you worked with someone you didn't like? If so, how did you handle it?," don't fall back on badmouthing other people. Instead, review how to answer difficult questions.

Brush up on more interview questions and answers before your interview.

Then take a look at what to do if you've blown a job interview for your dream job and want to try to get back into consideration.

How to Get a Second Chance With an Employer

Some job opportunities can't be saved, but depending on the circumstances, you may be able to convince the employer to reconsider you. Not all employers have the time or resources for a "do-over," but you might be lucky and find one who does understand that stuff happens and everyone can have a bad day.

If you think you flunked an interview, take the time to shoot your interviewer an email explaining your circumstances and thanking them for the opportunity to interview.