A job interview is your one chance to convince a potential employer that you're the right fit for an open position. Although most interviewers look past general nerves and innocent slip-ups, a few interview bloopers are unforgivable. Making one of these mistakes almost guarantees that you don't get the job.
Bashing Former Employers
The way you talk about former bosses in a job interview is a clear indicator of your level of professionalism. When you use negative language or show a lack of respect, the potential employer wonders if you'll speak the same way about him one day. No matter what the circumstances of your last job were, avoid getting overly emotional or upset. There's no need to lie about a bad situation if the employer asks; simply stay detached and state the facts briefly. In the absence of a direct question, focus on your accomplishments and responsibilities at the company.
Dressing Inappropriately
As the old saying goes, you only get one chance to make a first impression. In a job interview, that impression can make or break your chances of getting hired. Dressing inappropriately is a surefire way to create a negative bias before you've even opened your mouth. Women should avoid showing cleavage or too much leg. Men should avoid overly tight clothing. Every applicant should appear pulled together and well-groomed; wrinkled, torn or stained clothing is inappropriate.
Failing to Listen
A job interview is not just a chance for a company to judge you. The meeting is also a chance for you to determine whether the employer is a good fit for you. If you spend the whole interview talking, you don't learn anything. You're also more likely to miss what the employer is asking for and give a bad answer. It's easy to chatter on when you're nervous. Instead, force yourself to listen carefully, take a moment to think before speaking and limit your answers to a few concrete examples.
Using Poor Non-verbal Communication
The way you present yourself in a job interview often communicates more than your answers. Slouching, leaning in too close, looking bored or looking off into space are a few interview bloopers that automatically distract the employer from what you are saying. They also make you appear uninterested in the position or overly comfortable. Instead, adopt a position that makes you look alert and enthusiastic. Sit straight in your chair, lean forward without invading the interviewer's space and make eye contact with each person.
In most cases, careful preparation before your interview and awareness in the moment as the interview takes place are the only ways to avoid making irreparable mistakes. By avoiding major bloopers, you can give a more successful job interview.
Image courtesy of Ambro at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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