The worst mistakes you can make in an interview

Interviews. Love them or hate them they are a very important part of your job search and there is simply no avoiding them. I’m not one for ‘hand holding’ a candidate through the interview process, I’ll give some advice and tips as any recruiter does but a lot of the onus should be on the interviewee to ensure that they are completing the right research and ensuring they maximise their chances of being successful.

I’ll be honest; often I am astounded by how some of the basics aren’t covered off when candidates’ interview and it can cost them that opportunity with the employer. In my previous post, I mentioned about research and how to prepare for the impending interview but I should probably have covered off some further points to be aware of.

These are cardinal sins when interviewing, yet sometimes candidates just won’t spend as much time on their delivery as they do on research.

Poor presentation

Turning up to an interview with the ketchup from your bacon sandwich still on your chin from breakfast, toothpaste, messy or even worse dirty hair which would be better use as a birds nest are unacceptable. Take some time in your appearance and ensure you’re presenting yourself in a way which is appropriate.

Ignoring the dress code

Similar as before, an interview should always be in a suit unless otherwise instructed. You don’t want to stand out, and some companies do have a dress down environment but don’t take it too literally. Gents – always a shirt, regardless of dress down or corporate and make sure it’s clean and ironed. Ladies – a dress or skirt and blouse combination is essential. If you’re told dress down is OK, then smart and formal jeans at the absolute most casual you should go.

Poor body language

I once interviewed a candidate who for the entire time was slouched in the chair as if she had lost all ability to sit up. Eventually, I mentioned this poor body language to her. She soon collected her things and left in embarrassment. Keep in mind that a poor and negative body language is detrimental to your interview. Don’t do it.

Answering the phone

Phones are to be off, in a bag or coat pocket. If you care more about what your friends had for lunch, then you probably aren’t interested in the position you’re interviewing for. You should tell your family and friends you’ll be in an interview so if it is an absolute emergency then they can cover it until you’re out.

Rude behaviour

This comes in a variety of ways, from over-familiarity and showing too much personality to being arrogant. It’s important for you to show who you are in an interview, but an inappropriate joke your friends would find funny is possibly not right in an interview situation.

A limp handshake

An adequate handshake is something you can practice at home and it needs to be firm, dry (sweaty palms aren’t nice) and with conviction.

Chewing gum

Please just don’t do it. Fresh breath is a must but do take the gum out and dispose of it. Another point with this is to make sure that those who smoke do not smoke before the interview. As a former smoker, I get that craving to calm those last minute nerves but we forget on how potent that nicotine smell can be and it can be off putting to those non-smoker interviews.

Unusual comments

I once had a candidate who was asked by one of my clients however they overcame objections. The candidate replied ‘it’s like a wall, I like running through walls, I do it daily although I now suffer migraines and have to go to the Drs weekly to make sure I’m not doing damage’. When my client told me this answer, they genuinely were slightly worried if this candidate was serious, or just really bad at trying to be funny. Ensure your answers are clear, concise and that you’re professional.

CV spelling mistakes

There is no excuse to have these. None. Ever. In a previous post, I talk about how to write a CV and one of the key things is that you spell-check your CV. Check out my previous post here on CV writing tips.

Work history issue

Job hopping is one of the main culprits of having issues. If a candidate changes job every 6 months, it’s a concern that either they left off their own back, or they didn’t pass their probation. For any employer, having a number of jobs in quick succession looks bad and raises questions around your commitment to the employers you’ve had previously.

Any other mistakes then please let me know!