Job interviews can be stressful situations. This anxiety can lead even the most polished candidate to make a mistake within an interview. Sometimes you might not even know you’ve made a mistake until it’s too late.
Job interviews can be great platforms for showcasing your skills and demonstrating why you’re a great fit for a company. Don’t let a simple mistake ruin your chances of landing your next great opportunity.
Here are some of the most common mistakes candidates make during job interviews.
Criticizing a former employer.
Don’t speak negatively of your current employer or any of your past employers. This gives the impression that you’re a negative person, and it may make your interviewer wonder what you’ll say about their company when you want to move on to other opportunities.
Not knowing anything about the company.
Before your interview you should learn as much as possible about your prospective employer and the position. At the minimum you should read through the company’s website to learn more about what they do, but it’s recommended that you expand your research into other areas. Reach out to your professional network and read trade publications to learn more about how the company operates. Stay up to date on the latest news and trends that affect the company and the industry. Leverage this knowledge during the interview to demonstrate your enthusiasm for the position.
Not articulating your strengths and accomplishments.
An interviewer will undoubtedly ask questions that will allow you to demonstrate your skill set and speak about your accomplishments – don’t waste this opportunity. Use your answers to show the interviewer that you have the qualifications needed to excel at the job. Give specific, relevant real-world examples of ways in which you have delivered measurable results in the past.
Dressing inappropriately.
Some candidates make the mistake of underdressing for an interview. Even if the company projects a casual atmosphere, it’s best to wear professional attire (unless your company contact explicitly tells you otherwise). A good rule of thumb is to dress for the job you want, not the one you are interviewing for. It is better to overdressed than underdressed.
Not asking questions.
The interview is not over when the interviewer stops asking questions. A job interview should be a two-way street. Candidates should always have their own set of questions prepared to ask the interviewer at the end of the job interview. These questions should be designed to learn more about the company, its culture, and how the position fits into the company’s bigger picture. Having at least three or four questions prepared in advance lets the interviewer know that you care about both your career as well as the company’s mission.
At the end of the day, we’re all human and most job seekers will probably make at least one mistake during their job search. The important thing is to learn from that mistakes and be better prepared for your next opportunity!
If you are looking to hire an IT, Accounting, or Finance professional, or work in any of those fields and looking to advance your career, you can contact Equis Staffing via email at info@equisdifference.com or give us a call at (818) 444-0100.
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