Job hunting can be a long and stressful process. Finally getting the call for an interview should be exciting news, but for many people it brings on a new wave of stress and anxiety. If you want to put your best foot forward, take a deep breath and be sure to steer clear of these big interview don’ts.
Don’t show up disheveled and sloppy. We’re all taught not to judge a book by it’s cover, but the truth is that in a job interview your appearance will be the thing that interviewers notice first. Appropriate work attire varies greatly between companies, but a little research before hand should let you know if you’re headed into a casual jeans enviroment or something more upscale. Most interviewers will forgive you for being slightly over or underdressed, but rolling straight out of bed- sloppy is a different story. Be sure to plan enough time into your day to arrive with well-groomed hair, trimmed nails, and wrinkle-free clothing. Looking like a slob can communicate to the interviewer that you don’t respect the company or the opportunity enough to take the time to put your best foot forward.
Don’t be clueless about the hiring company. If you’ve taken the time to apply for the job, it should me that you’re interested in being a part of their company. Spend a few hours in the days before your interview to do a little research on the business and even the hiring manager, if possible. Chances are that you will be asked if you have any questions about the company, and being able to ask an informed question will show that you take initiative and are serious about the opportunity. Walking into an interview with no knowledge of the company can come across as insulting and will make the hiring manager question if you’re even interested in the job at all.
Don’t freeze up. Interviews are stressful for everyone, but even more so for shy personalities and people with anxiety. It can be a natural tendency to feel nervous and want to stay quiet and get the process over as quickly as possible. But this is your one chance to show the hiring manager that you can be an asset to their company, and that’s virtually impossible when you freeze up. If your nerves tend to take over in an interview, spend a little time practicing in the days leading up to it. Go over common questions and think of how you might answer them. On the day of the interview remember to breath, look the interviewer in the eye, and try to avoid one word answers.
Don’t dominate the conversation. This is the polar opposite of freezing up, but it is usually a result of the same nerves and anxiety. You’re told to spend time practicing what you might say and to research the company before hand, but how do you apply those things once in the interview? You wait for the questions to be asked! You don’t want to walk into the room and begin talking as if it is a one-sided monologue rather than an interview. Even if you’re saying all the right things, dominating the conversation can feel exhausting for the hiring manager and be a major turn off. If nerves tend to make you talk more, try to focus on remembering to let the interviewer lead the conversation and maybe even ask him or her questions pertaining to the position to help engage in conversation.
Don’t stretch the truth. Everyone wants to put their best foot forward and deliver the best resume, but in the age of mass information it’s easier than ever to fact check anything you tell an interviewer. If there is anything less than impressive in your work history, it is best to take the high road and offer a simple, yet non-defensive explanation. Your trustworthiness is of the most importance and is a quality that any interviewer will want to see.
Job hunting is hard enough, don’t make it any more difficult than it has to be. If you keep these five things in mind as you prepare for your interview, then you’ll have a great shot at landing the job that you really want!
