No.10: Dressing down
Just because your interview may be scheduled for Casual Friday, it
doesn’t mean that you can show up in jeans and an untucked shirt. Regardless of
the job you’re applying for, it’s important to dress for success with a minimal
amount of bodacious bling. Conversely, it’s also important not to overdress.
Waltzing into your interview looking like the Monopoly Man may make your
prospective employer think that you’re failing to take the process seriously.
Play it safe and
leave your casual Nike/Addidas at home.
No.9: Lying
In today’s digital age, it’s nearly impossible to get away with lies and
embellishments on your resume, so don’t even bother trying to pump yourself
with fabricated claims. After all, it’s only a matter of time before a new
employer discovers that you didn’t actually win eight gold medals at the 2008 Summer
Olympic Games or that you didn’t
personally broker a Mid-East cease fire agreement during your summer vacation.
Lying during your interview can be grounds for dismissal later on -- and that’s
no lie.
No.8: Badmouthing your past employer
No one
wants to hire a malcontent, so be prepared to bite your tongue when the
interviewer invariably asks you about your previous employer. Speaking
negatively about your last job -- even if it involved sorting monkey feces or
taste-testing expired dairy products -- will give the interviewer the impression that
you’re a difficult person to get along with.
No.7: Being too chummy
Everyone
wants to make a good first impression, but there’s a fine line between
developing a good rapport with your interviewer and becoming too familiar.
Always address your interviewer by their last name, unless directed otherwise,
and treat them in a courteous manner. Bear in mind that a job interview also
isn’t the place to try out your stand-up routine, so ditch your opening line
about the best thing about a redneck family fight ,
and concentrate instead on coming across as a serious and responsible employee.
There will be plenty of time to make jokes in the lunch room once you actually
land the job.
No.6: Saying too much
Contrary to popular belief, a job interview isn’t all about you. It’s
also a chance to learn about the ins and outs of the organization/company you’re hoping to
join. Be prepared to zip your lips for minutes at a time or otherwise you may
come across as domineering and needy. It’s also important to be careful about
the subjects you discuss. Although your interviewer will be interested in
hearing about your past accomplishments and aspirations, they probably don’t need
to hear about your bearded lady fetish or the fact that you experience a
burning sensation every time you toilet.
No.5: Not
knowing enough about the employer
Chances
are you’ll have several days to prepare for your interview, so make the most of
your time by learning about the company/organization. Not knowing about the
employer is almost equivalent to not knowing the job you are applying for. The
time before your interview is also the perfect occasion to update your resume, so take
the time to weed out all of those references who are currently serving time in
a correctional institution.
No.4: Discussing
benefits too soon
Just as
you should never ask a woman her age, it’s also considered to be in bad taste
to discuss salary and benefits until you’ve been offered the job. Bringing up
the topic too soon will convince the interviewer that you have little interest
in the job beyond a monthly paycheck and your standard two weeks of vacation time.
No.3:
Rushing the interview
Only a
small percentage of candidates ever make it to the interview stage, so try to
relax and enjoy the ride. Be prepared to be grilled for up to an hour and avoid
glancing at your watch or asking how long the interview will last, since it
gives the impression that you're late for a far more important date.
No.2: Being
overly modest
Modesty
may be a virtue, but it won’t help you land a job. Your interview is the chance
for you to shine, so shelve your humility and highlight your strengths and
accomplishments -- just make sure to focus on those accomplishments that are
most relevant to the position for which you’re applying. After all, the
interviewer probably doesn’t have to know about your ability to shotgun a dozen beers or
the fact that you’re the country’s largest owner of Michael Bolton
memorabilia.
No.1: Arriving
late
A job
interview isn’t a party, so arriving casually late won’t score you any points.
Make sure to show up 10-15 minutes in advance and notify a receptionist upon
your arrival. Getting to your interview early will allow you to familiarize
yourself with a foreign environment,
and if you’re lucky, the waiting room may even have magazines from this decade.
