Job interviews can be tricky and it seems safe to say that everyone will have at least one bad one at some point in their lives. Not all interviews go well and sometimes this isn’t your fault; you can’t expect to click with everyone. However, there are some big don’ts that you should avoid at all costs in interviews, or else you may find yourself flunking more interviews than passing with flying colors. Read on for some of the biggest don’ts in a job interview.
Failing to prepare
Not preparing adequately for your interview is one of the big ones. It’s unlikely your interviewers will expect you to know absolutely everything about the company you’re applying to. But, if you want a job at the company, it’s not unreasonable for them to expect you to know a little bit about it. After all, how do they know you really want the job if you can’t even answer basic questions about what the business does?
Not answering the questions
Failing to answer questions properly is another mistake in a job interview. If you don’t understand a question, it’s absolutely fine to ask for clarification – no one minds that. However, rambling on about something unrelated to what you’re meant to be talking about suggests you don’t listen and that you can’t focus when required, which is a potential turnoff to employers.
Not dressing properly
It’s common sense to dress smart for a job interview; even if the company you’re applying to is casual in its approach to dress. It’s always best to err on the side of caution in the interview and look professional. Turning up in your scruffiest jeans and a stained t-shirt has to be one of the biggest interview don’ts!
Talking too much/too little
There is also a fine line between providing too much information in your answers or not enough. Of course, you should answer all questions fully and comprehensively, but a candidate who talks too much in the interview can be a negative point. Talking too little is also a big don’t as it doesn’t give the interviewer much to use when assessing your suitability for the role.
Being rude about other companies
Finally, never be rude about anyone in your interview. Even if the last company you worked for was utterly awful, be polite about them in the interview – you never know, they might be important clients of your new firm. It’s also not professional to bad mouth people to people you’ve only just met, so rein in your tongue and adopt a positive attitude!
Readers – we want to hear from you! What are some of the biggest don’ts you have made or witnessed during an interview?
This post was written in association with Total Jobs, a leading job site that currently offers a variety of job vacancies from leisure jobs to IT jobs.