What to Avoid in Interviews

Interviews can be both exciting and terrifying at the same time, particularly if you’re out of practice. Nerves can often get the better of us, and even the strongest candidates can struggle to display their strengths and potential.

There are many guides out there advising you what to do in an interview – but we think it’s sometimes easier to remember what NOT to do. Then, the rest should fall into place. Here is our quick top 10 list of things to avoid when you’re going for an interview:

1.   Arriving too late or too early

Not leaving enough time to get to the interview shows a lack of organisation and preparation, and you should be factoring in possible problems such as traffic, train delays, parking, etc.

We always advise you to plan your journey in advance, and ask the right questions before your interview if you’re unsure of anything, such as ‘do you have a car park on site?’. Failing to plan your journey can add unnecessary stress to your interview day!

We recommend arriving around 15 minutes early. If you have factored in plenty of travel time and arrive far earlier than needed, why not grab a coffee or sit and read through your interview notes beforehand? Arriving far too early doesn’t give a great impression for your time-keeping skills either, so aim to stick to a 10-15 minute early arrival window.

2.   Dressing inappropriately

First impressions can have lasting effect, so make sure yours is a positive one. Regardless of the job you’re applying for, interview attire should always be smart – unless advised otherwise. This is the fundamental part here, and this is why pre-interview communication is crucial. If your interviewer wants you to come dressed casually and they articulate this to you, then do so. It may be that they have some activities for you to take part in, so your best 3-piece suit may not be as suitable as a pair of comfy jeans. Equally, just because the job you’re applying for requires employees to dress casually, it doesn’t mean you should do so for the interview.

Dressing smart doesn’t just mean having a nice suit, either. Your clothes should be cleaned and ironed, so it’s always best to prepare your outfit the night before to make sure you’re prepared. Having an unpleasant odour can also be off-putting for a potential employer, so avoid the curry or heavy garlic dinner the night before. If you smoke, try to avoid bringing a smoky odour with you, as non-smokers may find this overpowering. If you’ve been chewing gum, make sure you dispose of it before the interview! 

If you’ve had a long journey, before your interview, nip into the washroom to freshen up and check your appearance. A professional and clean appearance can make a positive first impression.

3.   Getting distracted

You may spend every day with your mobile phone glued to your hand or sat on your desk, but for interviews, you need to be 100% focused. We recommend you turn your phone OFF before even heading into the waiting room, as scrolling through Facebook while you wait doesn’t give off an impression of professionalism. You don’t want to be distracted by a WhatsApp or Instagram notification halfway through the interview, so it is always best to turn off your phone, and any other electrical devices you may have. If necessary, let your friends/family know that your phone will be off during this period of time, so they should contact you beforehand if they need anything.

4.   Asking too many forward questions

There are undoubtedly questions you’re eager to find out, such as, ‘how many holiday days am I entitled to?’ ‘What is the annual remuneration?’ ‘What is your bonus scheme?’, etc.

You should avoid asking any of these very forward questions during the interview process. In the interview itself, your potential employer wants to see that you’re passionate about their business and you truly want to work for them. Discussing holiday entitlement implies these minor details takes precedent over the company itself.

If you are lucky enough to be offered the job, you can then begin to discuss salary and holidays etc. if they like you as a candidate, they may be willing to negotiate on salary if it’s not meeting your expectations, and you are in a much stronger position to negotiate if they’re already offering you the role. And if you’re working with a recruitment consultant, they will usually manage the salary negotiations on your behalf.

5.   Being rude

Your attitude and relationships with people are crucial factors in revealing your personality to a potential employer. Swearing for any reason is not acceptable, even if it is said tongue-in-cheek, and it gives an impression that you may have an aggressive side. This goes for the whole interview experience, which includes your encounters with any receptionists, car parking attendants, or cleaners in the vicinity. Employers will often ask other colleagues about their first impressions of you, too, so make sure everyone has only positive things to say.

Talking negatively about anyone, even an existing or previous employer/colleague, will send warning signals to your potential employer. They want to see that you’re a positive person, so regardless of how much you hate your current company, try not to be rude about them. You run the risk of one of the interviewers knowing that person, so it’s never worth bad-mouthing people, and criticising colleagues/managers may insinuate that you are the one who is difficult to work with or manage. Use the interview to focus on the positives, instead of dwelling on your previous problems.

6.   Not doing your homework 

Basic knowledge of the company is imperative your interview success. It shouldn’t have to take you days, but putting some time into learning and researching some basic background information about the company can go a long way. They’re not expecting you to know the ins and outs of their business, but not knowing anything implies you’re not passionate about the company. Your recruitment consultant should be able to help you with some background facts, and you can do some research on the internet. Try to find out some information from their website, such as audience, product range, customers, etc.

7.   Having nothing to ask

This goes hand-in-hand with having done your homework before the interview. If your potential employer gives you the opportunity to ask some questions, it implies that you haven’t prepared if you have nothing to say. Worse still, it again insinuates that you’re not really bothered about their company.

It can be a great opportunity here to ask some questions about facts you may not have been able to find on their website, such as ‘who is your biggest client?’. This again shows an understanding of what they do, and an eagerness to learn more. It’s also useful to have some general questions prepared, too, such as ‘how many people are in the team in total?’. You should also use this as your opportunity to clarify some of your concerns. After all, an interview is a two-way process. You’re selling yourself to the potential employer, but they should also be selling the opportunity to you. If there is something you’re not sure about – ask. You want to be sure you understand what this role entails before you leave the interview. 

8.   Not knowing your CV

It is always important that any information you write on your CV or say in your interview is the truth. If there is a skill you’re lacking or a question you’re unable to answer, it is important that you’re honest. A potential employer will be much more impressed with your honesty if you show a willingness to learn that missing skill, rather than your arrogance at claiming to be an expert at everything. Stating that you’re an advanced user of Microsoft Access when in fact you’ve only used it once in your life, or claiming to have a First-Class degree when actually you were awarded a 2:2, will only come back to haunt you in the future. Even if you’re offered the job, any lies from your interview could lead to an offer being withdrawn, or dismissal.

Always try to refresh your mind with your experiences written on your CV beforehand so that you’re able to confidently talk about them during the interview.

9. Negative body language

Your body language can have as much of an effect on first impressions as your appearance. Failing to make eye contact with your interviewer(s) implies you’re uninterested. You may be nervous, so don’t be afraid to articulate this. It’s only natural to feel nervous, but don’t let this ruin your interview. Fidgeting or playing with your hands can be distracting and off-putting, so if you’re prone to acting on nerves, try to practice keeping your hands still. Sitting slouched in your chair gives an impression that you’re bored, and crossing your arms insinuates you are feeling defensive. It is important to display confident body language, such as sitting up straight, making eye contact, and giving a solid firm handshake. And of course, don’t forget to smile! Employers want friendly people on their team, so smiling allows them to see you can be both personable and professional.

10. Not listening

It may sound simple, but really listen during your interview. If your interviewer asks a question about your experience of using Excel, don’t give them 20 examples of how you can use Microsoft Word. If they ask you to dress casually, there is probably a reason, so ensure you arrive wearing casual attire as requested. It can be easy to begin a mindless rant about your current job and list endless tasks you are required to do on a daily basis, but if that’s not what they have asked about, it’s unlikely to earn you more brownie points. Listen to what they ask, and if you’re unsure of the question, ask them to clarify or explain. You have a limited time in the interview room, so ensure you spend it discussing relevant facts that your potential employer wants to know.

Being prepared in the interview can certainly take away a lot of stress from the whole process, so we’re always here to help you at every stage.

If there is anything that concerns you about interviews, let us know, and we can help you overcome that concern!

If you need any advice about applying for jobs, going for interviews, or if you’re a business searching for the best talent, contact us today – [email protected].

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