10 Things to Avoid in Your Interview

Introduction

Interviews can be terrifying but thrilling! Such opportunities give you a chance to convince the employer that you are, indeed, the best candidate for the job. They say your qualifications and skills matter, but how you carry yourself during the interview matters just as much. The way you speak, act, and conduct yourself makes a big difference between making it and not making it. This article will examine 10 things you should not do during your interview if you wish to leave a favourable impression behind. These tips will be an added advantage when taking up the interview, increasing your chances of success! 

 1. Being Unprepared

One of the most common mistakes candidates make is to not prepare enough for the interview. Employers expect candidates to know the job role and what the organization stands for. Not being prepared means no interest or seriousness, and soon a good opportunity turns out to be the worst one. 

Here's how to avoid this

• Research the company: Before your interview, learn about the company's mission, values, products, and services. Visiting their website and social media does help you to have an overall sense of the culture.
• Know the job description: Try to understand the entire nature of the role and the skills required. Think of how your experiences match with the position and be ready to discuss it with examples.
• Prepare answers to common questions: Besides being ready for other types of questions, there are a few momentous challenging questions: Where do you see yourself in five years, or what are your greatest strengths? By practicing, you will find yourself speaking with more confidence during the interview.

 2. Dressing Inappropriately

How to present yourself for an interview tells what a professional you are and how much you have understood the company culture. Dressing too casually or ineptly for the occasion can send a message that you don't take the interview seriously enough.

Here's how to avoid it

• Dress according to the company's culture: While a suit may be apt for a corporate company, more casual industries like tech or creative jobs may allow one to dress business casual, always better to play safe and dress a little formally than too casual.
• Pay attention to grooming: Hair neatly done, clean clothes, polished shoes, and not wearing anything too revealing or flamboyant.
• Keep accessories and makeup minimal: Avoid overdoing it with jewellery, perfume, or makeup these days. They should not outshine the value you'd bring to the company. 

 3. Arriving Late

For the interview, it is important to be on time. Latecomers have a strike immediately against them; this means you are disorganized or do not respect the time of others.

How to avoid this

• Plan: Aim to arrive at least 10-15 minutes before the interview. This shows respect for the interviewer and proves that you are prepared.
• Account for travel time: Check the venue once again and plan your route. Bear in mind traffic and other possible delays. If in doubt about getting there, then you might consider giving yourself additional time to help you find your way.
• Call if you're running late: If you find that due to circumstances you are going to be a bit late, immediately give a call or email the interviewer to inform him or her. This shows that you are responsible and courteous enough.

 4. Over-Talking or Interrupting

Clear and effective means of communication in interviews are, at times, marred by the tendency of some candidates to over-talk or interrupt the interviewer in ways to make interviews rush or disorganized. Also, such acts can portray an image that you’re nervous impatient, or just not listening.

How to avoid this

• Listen carefully before responding: At least let the interviewer finish the question before you answer. Make sure you understand the question being asked before you begin with your answer.
• Keep your answers concise: Be clear and directly in focus as far as the answers to your questions are concerned. Don’t ramble into endlessly blowing, describe briefly your experience by focusing on specific examples.
• Be mindful of interruptions: Have this inclination to interrupt the interviewer? Remind yourself that you've got plenty of time to speak your head. Let the interviewer steer the discussion. 

 5. Not Being Clear or Concise

An interview is a platform where clarity is key. If your response is not clear or concise, the interviewer may get confused about what you said or be put off by it. You need not speak in a long roundabout way nor should your answers be diffuse; otherwise, your chances of making a very good impression are compromised.

How to avoid this

• Practice your responses: Think of the questions that might come your way, and practice them clearly and concisely.
• Stick to the point: Do not give long-winded answers; get straight to the point. If the interviewer wants more detail, he/she will ask for it.
• Use examples: Whenever possible, use examples from your past work experiences to make your answer clearer and more convincing.

 6. Talking Negatively About Previous Employers

Speaking negatively about past employers or colleagues can make you appear to be unprofessional or bitter. Even if the last job you had was the toughest one, putting other people down is a sure way to give them the impression that you can't work as a part of a team or that they cannot please you.

• How to avoid this

• Stay positive: Try to speak of your previous job experiences in an upbeat tone, even if there were challenges. Focus on what you learned through these experiences.
• Frame your answers carefully: When asked why you left a previous job, deliver a positive response. For instance, you may state, "I was looking for more growth opportunities" or "I felt my skills would be better utilized in a different position."
• Don’t blame others:  Even if your previous employer was unmanageable, do not blame them; rather, focus on growing and developing your career. 

 7. Not Asking Questions

At the end of the interview, this is when most interviewers will ask: "Do you have any questions for me?" If you'd wracked your brain to come up with something to ask yet just shrugged your shoulders, it could be interpreted as though you appeared uninterested or fetched little information regarding the company.

Here are tricks to avoid this

• Prepare questions in advance: Think of a few questions to ask that reflect your interest: team, company culture, and opportunities for growth within the company.
• Avoid basic questions:  Don't ask basic questions you could have easily researched on the company online. Asking questions such as the company's mission and products would imply you did little homework.
• Ask about the next steps: Questions about the next steps in the hiring process help to show you're interested and establish clarity on what can be expected.

 8. Putting Too Much Focus on Salary and Benefits

While salary and benefits are important, bringing them up too early in the interview or over-focusing on them may give an impression that you are solely interested in compensation. The employer would want to know that you are passionate about the job and company, not just the paycheck.

Here is how to avoid this

• Wait for the right moment: Wait until the interview is over and the recruiter asks about your salary expectation before you start, or else wait until late in the interview process, when the employer shows some interest in hiring.
• Focus on the job itself: During the interview, express your excitement about the role, team, and job you'll be doing. Show that you're interested in much more than just the compensation package.
• Be ready for the discussion: If salary comes up, be prepared with a reasonable expectation of what you’d like. Do your research to know the average salary for the role and location.

 9. Using Unprofessional Language

It is important to speak appropriately and in a professional language. Swearing, slang, or casual conversation can put you in an unprofessional or immature light, for sure.

How to avoid this:

• Be Modest In Your Tone: Speak respectfully in a clear-cut voice. Avoid slang words and phrases that you would discuss in your casual circle with friends.
• Use Formal Language: Do remember that irrespective of the way you are comfortable with the interviewer; it is indeed a professional arena, and your language should mirror that.
• Keep An Eye on Body Language: Professionalism should come out of your body language as well. Do not slouch or look disinterested.

 10. Lacking Confidence

Confidence is among the rudimentary tenets of doing great during any interview. In case you present yourself as doubtful and lacking assurance regarding your ability, the interviewer might think you are not the appropriate fit for the job. Creativity is not leadership but self-confidence in your skills and qualifications.

How to avoid this

• Practice in Advance: Practice discussing your strengths and experience and why you'd be a great fit for the job. You will feel more confident if you are better prepared.
• Maintain good posture: Maintain straightness, make eye contact, and smile. Doing this lends an air of confidence to your presence and enables you to be more communicative.
• Believe in Yourself!: Before you step into the interview, motivate yourself by looking back at your strengths and previous accomplishments and reminding yourself of them.

Conclusion

Interviews might be scary, but they also give you a chance to showcase all your skills and personality. The following simple mistakes might prevent you from making a great impression. Stay well-prepared and dressed appropriately, enunciate your words clearly, and show confidence. Remember, an interview is not only about your skills but your general presentation. Stay confident, be yourself, and let us see the awesomeness in your skills. In no time, you will be making a deep impression that will boost your chances at the job in question. Good luck with your next interview!