With your next job – and the future of your career – on the line, an important interview can be a stressful event. Shouldn’t you try to stack the deck in your favor? Since a single mistake can tank your chances of landing the job, you have to come into that room with a clear plan for what you’re going to do, and what you’re not going to do. Here are the most crucial things to avoid when interviewing for a job.
How to Ruin an Interview
1. Show Up Late
A strong business relationship is based on respect and trust. If you show up late for an interview, even by a few minutes, you’re showing you lack respect for the interviewer’s time and will not be reliable in the future. A good balance is to arrive about 10 minutes early; not so much that you seem suspiciously desperate, but just early enough to show you didn’t leave anything to chance.
2. Use the Wrong Body Language
Every culture has unspoken rules about how to interact with others. From the moment you meet your interviewer, your body language begins to speak for you. To show your respect and sincere interest, start with a confident handshake, a bright smile, and strong eye contact. Don’t let your eyes wander aimlessly, and avoid “closed” body language, such as crossed arms. Such signals might be taken as a lack of interest or sincerity.
3. Interrupt Your Interviewer
There are two types of people in the world: Those who listen to learn, and those who listen to respond. When you interrupt your interviewer, you show you put your opinions ahead of their needs. If you do inadvertently talk over each other, politely apologize and invite the interviewer to finish their comment.
4. Slouch
While this point is related to body language, there’s more to your posture than what it portrays to the rest of the world. Your posture doesn’t just influence how you are perceived, it actually helps define who you are and how you see yourself. Some studies indicate the way we carry ourselves not only influences our confidence, but can even alter the hormones that regulate our attitude. Powerful poses aren’t just for statues of men on horses, so sit up straight and start to trust yourself! Your career will thank you.
5. Dodge the Tough Questions
If you find yourself being asked a question that could paint you in a bad light, resist the urge to talk around the question. You might think you can evade the issue with a clever, wordy response. In fact, you might even fool the interviewer for a few minutes. But at the end of the day, they will review their notes and realize they didn’t get a satisfactory response. Instead, answer tough questions directly and sincerely, then redirect the conversation in a more favorable light.
Are you ready to put your interview skills to the test?
Expert Staffing specializes in matching talented candidates like you to positions that will allow them to thrive. Whether you’re looking for temporary or permanent employment, we are confident we can find the perfect match for you. Contact us today to learn how to get started.
