We can all agree. Job interviews can be pretty stressful, and when we’re facing stressful situations, it isn’t always easy to make perfect decisions. In fact, the stress can lead to some ineffective interview practices on the part of jobseekers.
Even with a stand-out resume and cover letter and the most thorough interview preparation, experienced pros stumble when they face the real deal. As any pilot will tell you, a real plane feels much different than the simulator.
When you step into an interview where there are high stakes because you really want the job, it’s okay to be a little nervous, but even in your worst moments, you’ll want to try to steer clear of these common interview mistakes. If you can avoid these pitfalls, stay on course, and on message, you’ll greatly improve your odds of landing the offer you really want.
While not mandatory, writing a thank you note after a job interview can help keep your qualifications top of mind and shows off your soft skills. Plus, since only one in 20 jobseekers takes the time to write a thank you note, doing so can give you an edge over the competition.
1. Missing Opportunities to Prove Yourself
Sometimes candidates sabotage their own interviews by saying the wrong things. However, just as often, a candidate’s most ineffective interview practices stem from what wasn’t said. It can be hard to recall the perfect examples on the spot.
At times, jobseekers worry that they sound boastful when they promote themselves during a job interview. We’re probably all familiar with the sinking feeling that occurs when you remember one of the greatest accomplishments of your career – while you’re walking back to your car in the parking lot.
Missing your moment can sting, and it can slide you down to second place on the candidate list when you actually belong at the top. Avoid ineffective interview practices like this by gathering your notes and studying your talking points carefully at least a few hours before your session.
Take the time to write examples down that you may want to share in an interview. The more you take the time to think through your answers in advance, the more likely you’ll be to nail the answers.
During your interview, actively steer the conversation toward topics that can help you articulate your success stories and that can show how you can add unique value to the role.
2. Discussing Salary and Benefits Too Soon
Of course, you need to be paid fairly for your work, and you’ll need to negotiate hard and stand up for your interests when the moment comes to do so. However, that moment shouldn’t happen during your first interview session.
Far too often, candidates perpetrate one of the top ineffective interview practices by asking about salary and benefits too early in the process. Often, employers find this to be a total turnoff. There’s nothing wrong with caring about money, but don’t bring it up in your interviews. You’re there to share what you can do for the company.
Push the topic of money to the side until your employers have officially made an offer. For now, focus on what you have to contribute, not on what you’d like to gain.
With that said, do your research on salary ahead of time. You’d be surprised at how often a recruiter will ask you, “How much do you want to make?” in a first round phone interview. Do your homework, so you can answer this question confidently if asked.
3. Failing to Research the Company Beforehand
This is the most common of all ineffective interview practices, according to a recent poll of 500 British interviewers. To avoid this mistake, go online before your interview and spend some time learning about your target company. Gain a clear sense of how their business works, what products or services they provide, and who their primary stakeholders may be.
Does this company sell its products to other companies or directly to consumers? If they provide a service, how do they deliver that service? Don’t waste time memorizing third quarter financials, but be ready to respond when your employer asks you a question like, “Do you understand what we do here?”
This happens more frequently than you might imagine and, too often, candidates answer with a shrug and a blank stare. You should also read up on the CEO of the company, and be able to name them. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve been asked to name the CEO during a job interview.
Does this company sell its products to other companies or directly to consumers? If they provide a service, how do they deliver that service? Don’t waste time memorizing third quarter financials, but be ready to respond when your employer asks you a question like, “Do you understand what we do here?"
4. Not Asking Questions
Before your interview comes to an end, avoid this ineffective interview practice by finding a way to turn the tables by asking questions of your own. You should prepare at least two or three questions on topics that can’t easily be found on the company’s website.
Sometimes, this reversal takes place at the end of the meeting, and sometimes the interviewer asks point blank if you’d like to discuss anything that hasn’t been covered. Hopefully, the hiring manager will ask if you have any questions.
However, this may not happen, so don’t wait for an invitation. Ask what you want, when you want. Smart questions demonstrate engagement, interest, and self-direction. Not to mention, interviews are two-way streets – they’re as much your chance to size up the company as they are the employer’s chance to evaluate you.
One of the worst things you can do is say that you have no questions when asked. Even if this is the case, come up with questions on the fly. When a jobseeker has no questions, the hiring manager assumes they’re not interested in the job.
5. Stretching the Truth
As you prepare for your interview, are you planning to pretend to be someone you’re not? Do you intend to exaggerate your accomplishments or, worse, say whatever you think the interviewer wants to hear? We have arrived at ineffective interview practice number five.
You may find it hard to believe, but you’ll win more points and make more allies if you present yourself as YOU. There is a reason you have been invited to interview, so remember that who you are and what you have to offer – your education, skills, experience, and abilities – are more than sufficient for this job interview and this moment.
Be proud of what you’ve accomplished in the past and be proud of where you’re headed in the future. Bending the truth will only create obstacles; it won’t help you overcome them. Not to mention, you’d be surprised by how easy it is to discredit lies about education, skills, and achievements.
Besides, you want to find an employer who appreciates you for you. You don’t want to work for someone who won’t like the real you who shows up to work. And, on top of that, lying during an interview can be grounds for termination later.
6. Arriving Late
This may sound obvious, but of all the ineffective interview practices outlined here, the quickest ways to lose a job is to show up late for the interview. Even a few minutes late is completely unacceptable. This is true even when it’s not your fault.
The day before the interview, be sure you know exactly where you’re going. You may want to drive there a day ahead to be sure you know where the building is located. Then, the day of the interview, leave early so you can avoid being delayed by unexpected things such as traffic.
While you want to arrive early, don’t check in more than fifteen minutes ahead of time. You don’t want the company to feel uncomfortable by your early arrival. You may want to plan to wait for a few minutes in your car.
7. Forgetting to Bring Copies of Your Resume
Today, the likelihood that the hiring manager has your resume before your in-person interview is 100 percent since most applications are done online. Unfortunately, many hiring managers and other interviewers can be forgetful or lazy. They will often arrive to your interview without a copy of your resume. When they do, they’ll ask you for a copy. If you don’t have one, they’ll assume you were the forgetful one. Be safe and pack a few additional print copies of your resume with you for your interview.
8. Skipping a Thank You Note
While not mandatory, writing a thank you note after a job interview can help keep your qualifications top of mind and shows off your soft skills. Plus, since only one in 20 jobseekers takes the time to write a thank you note, doing so can give you an edge over the competition.
In Closing
If you’ve committed any of these ineffective interview practices in previous interviews, there’s no need to dwell on the past. Instead, focus on moving forward and making sure your next meeting results in you getting that much closer to a job offer.
Remember, the first step to avoiding ineffective interview practices is getting into the interview chair! You do that by having standout application materials. For help, consider LiveCareer’s professional resume builder and professional cover letter builder. These tools will help you create eye-catching documents that will help you get the job you want faster.
