Interview Killers: 13 Things That Will Undermine Your Success

Interview killers: How well you interview will decide whether you get the job. Here are thirteen things that can undermine your interview.

Avoiding Interview Killers

An interview is a critical step to getting a job. Preparing for your interview and making good choices in handling your interview can turn your interview into a job offer. Here are thirteen things you should not do and suggestions for the correct things to do in a job interview.

Arrive Late

You should plan for traffic delays. Arrive thirty minutes early. Wait nearby to enter the building. Go into the interview five minutes early. Introduce yourself and say that you are there a bit early for your interview.

Wear the wrong clothes

Appropriate clothing will vary from job to job. If you need to be dressed to go to work that day, wear work clothes. If you are interviewing for a job for which you will have to wait for an offer, consider wearing clothes that are one level above the job. For example, if the job requires jeans, consider wearing khakis. If the job requires khakis, consider wearing dress slacks or a skirt. If the job requires slacks or a skirt, wear a suit.

Leave Your Cell Phone Active

Turn your cell phone off before you entering the building for your interview. Do note mute your cell phone. Turn the power off on your cell phone. For the short time you have in the interview, you do not need distractions from your cell phone. If you even check your phone during the interview, you have lost the job offer.

Act Rude

Be courteous. Know and say the interviewer’s name. Give the person a firm, but not strong handshake. Introduce yourself. Thank the interviewer for meeting with you.

Bring up Subjects that are Not About the Interview

Help the interviewer focus on the interview. Offer the interviewer a copy of your resume before you sit down.

Fidget or Act Restless

There are simple ways to relieve your tension. Use the best body language. Take a couple of breaths before entering the interview. Make eye contact. If direct eye contact makes you uncomfortable, look at the person’s face. Focus on what you are saying and not what you are seeing. Smile. Sit up straight. Gently hold in your stomach. Keep your shoulders comfortably level. Practice sitting this way daily. It is good for your back, neck, and core, and will help you interview more successfully. Speak loudly enough that the interviewer can hear you. Keep your arms open. Make occasional gestures as you are speaking. As you behave relaxed, you will become relaxed.

Talk About Yourself and Not About Your Qualifications

Focus on your qualifications for the job. Talk about what you can do and not about who you are. Be specific when discussing how your experience fits the job requirements.

Go to the Interview Without Preparing

Show that you are ready for the meeting. Refer to the things you have read about the company and about the job.

Act as Though You are Not Interested in the Job

Ask questions about the company and the job based on the information you found through your research and through reading the job description. Write a list of questions as part of your preparation before going to the interview.

Say Negative Things about Anyone

Talk positively about your present employer and your past employers. The way to keep things positive is to focus on your interest in the company that is interviewing you.

Dominate the Conversation

Allow the interviewer to lead the discussion. Answer the questions not the things that the questions bring to your mind.

Leave Without Understanding What You Should Expect Next

If the interviewer has not told you what to expect next, ask the person when you will be getting information on the company’s interest in meeting with you again or making you an offer. Express you interest in the job and say that you look forward to meeting again. If the interviewer has a card on the desk, ask for one.

Fail to Follow Up

Successful applicants send a thank-note. The note shows that your interest in the job. Furthermore, the note shows that you appreciate the time hiring managers spent with you. Equally, in the thank-you note you can request feedback on how well you performed in the interview.