While most job interview advice tells you what you should do, there are some things which you should definitely avoid. Here are some of the dangers to watch out for.
Talking too much or too little
Most of us can figure out that monosyllabic grunts create a bad impression, particularly for interviews for roles that involve dealing with people. But waffling on too much is also a bad idea as it suggests you lack focus and attention, even if the reality is simply that you are suffering nervous.
Not paying attention
Job interviews may feel like an episode of Mastermind, but there’s more to them than a simple barrage of questions and answers. If you don’t listen to what the interviewer or panel says during the discussion, you may wind up giving a response that is redundant or inappropriate. Asking what delivery jobs Nottingham drivers have to do won’t go down too well if the interviewer has already explained the firm only covers the West Midlands area.
Giving standard answers
You don’t want to sound like a robot when responding to questions. To avoid this, try to work out the main points you want to communicate rather than relying on a fixed wording. Remember to take notice of exactly what is asked rather than just slotting it into a category such as “strengths and weaknesses” or “skills from last job”.
Arriving too early
While it’s vital to avoid being late, you can go too far. If you turn up much more than 15 to 20 minutes before your scheduled interview time, you not only look a bit desperate, but you risk filling the dead time by “psyching yourself out.”
Asking dumb questions
Don’t just ask a question for the sake of it. In particular, don’t ask questions that you could already have easily found the answers to, such as how many branches the firm has, or whether its stores open on Sundays.