4 Interview Mistakes that Could Cost You the Job
Posted June 29th, 2015
It’s easy to conclude that the interview is the single most important part of the job search process. Obviously your resume and cover letter have been impressive enough to put you into consideration, and now you have a face-to-face opportunity to show off just how qualified, competent, and dynamic you really are. At this stage, dazzling the interviewer can put you ahead of every other candidate. But the reverse can be just as true. Bomb, or even just stumble, in the interview and you could fall out of contention. Give yourself the best shot possible by avoiding these four common interview mistakes.
You Try Too Hard
This one might sound counter-intuitive, but it really is a problem for hiring managers. People often go into an interview both nervous and eager and then find themselves overstating their qualifications, describing their past in unbelievable terms, and wildly exaggerating the kind of contribution they can make. Hiring managers are professional interviewers and can easily see through this fluff. They understand that you want to be positive, but they also want you to be honest.
You Talk Too Much
You may be the focus of the interview, but all interviews involve a back and forth. One common trap that job seekers fall into is simply talking too much. They give long, winding answers to a simple question, bring up information that is irrelevant to the process, and seize on every opportunity to once again repeat that they are a great candidate. This type of behavior makes you look unprofessional, wastes the time of the interview, and rarely enhances your standing as a candidate.
You Criticize Previous Employers
This is another common one, and always a mistake. If you quit or were fired from your previous job, it is tempting to explain it by cutting down your old boss or co-workers. But ultimately this makes you look like a petty person, someone difficult to work with, and a potential liability in the future. When talking about any previous employer, be as professional and neutral as possible, regardless of your experience.
You Come Off as Desperate
If you enter an interview and make a big point about how you will work any job, on any schedule, for any compensation, and accept any responsibility, you don’t come off as flexible and eager. You come off as desperate, and that is never a quality that hiring managers are looking to bring into the company. Instead, try to temper your enthusiasm with a healthy dose of confidence.
If interviews have proved elusive lately, you may be going about your job search in the wrong way. Contact the team at Bayside Solutions to find out how they can help.
