When you interview candidates for a living, you can quickly tell if it’s good or bad within the first few minutes. Whether it’s a phone call, video interview, or in-person meeting, keep yourself in the running by avoiding these common pitfalls.
- Being Unprepared: Few things can derail an interview quicker than not preparing properly. If you show up late, have not researched the company, failed to review the job description, or did not ask any questions, your chances of a successful interview are next to none. It’s just unprofessional.
- Focusing on Duties: Share your valuable experience and results, not your tasks. Listing off your job duties doesn’t make you stand out. Did you save the company money? Improve processes? Reduce downtime? Say it!
- Poor Body Language or Tone: Your tone and demeanor can be very impactful during interviews. If it’s a phone call, speak positively and with enthusiasm. If you’re on video or on-site, things like sitting tall, making eye contact, and not fidgeting show professionalism and that you’re engaged in the conversation.
- No Follow Up: One of the biggest missed opportunities for interview candidates is not sending a ‘thank you’ note following the interview. An email with a few sentences reiterating your interest and qualifications really does make a difference.
An interview is your chance to make a great impression and hopefully continue down the path to a job offer. By steering clear of these common mistakes, you’re already ahead of the pack!