How to Avoid Common Job Interview Mistakes

The job interview is your last chance to impress a potential employer and get a desirable job. Even if you have excellent academic background, a bright professional career and have all the industry-specific skills for a job, you are still one step far from getting the job.

A job interview is your opportunity to tell the employer about yourself as an individual and how you can serve the organization with your matching skills and experience.

While a job interview can do the trick to get a desired job, it can have the reverse effects if you ignore the basic rules for a job interviews. Most of the times, the candidates underestimate the job interview or simply do not pay attention to some of the fundamental rules of job interview.

Here are some useful tips that will help you avoid some common mistakes the candidates commit during an interview:

1- Comply With the Dress Code

Make sure about the proper dress code of the company. Get yourself familiarized with what is acceptable in the company. Avoid wearing jeans or T-shirt unless the job pertains to construction industry. Keep your clothes well pressed and cleaned.

2- Research the Company

Conduct a thorough company research. The employer will want to know how much you are interested in his organization and what you know about his business. Not knowing the vital information about the company will reflect badly on you.

3- Be Sophisticated

Be confident and poised. Give a firm hand shake and maintain the eye contact throughout the conversation. This will show you as a matured and confident individual.

4- Be Precise

Avoid being talkative or overconfident. Keep your answers simple and straight without exaggerating any point. The employer will tell you for any explanation when required.

5- Things to Remember!

Do not be stiff or talk in uncompromising tone. Be flexible and open to any mutual compromise. Your employer will expect you to be accommodating and adaptable, especially if the interview is for a senior position.

Do not discuss the salary too early in the interview. While you want to know what the employer is willing to pay you, it is better to leave off this question at the end. Raising the salary question early in the interview will show that the ‘salary figure’ is all you care about.

When you are not sure about the right dress code, it is always safe to wear a two-piece suit with matching tie and boots. For women, it is acceptable to wear a skirt and blouse.

Sit appropriately, keeping your head straight. Do not mutter words and speak clear and precisely for effective communication.

Find out employer’s section in online job websites and read their comments. You can find plenty of lists of some of the most common interview mistakes the candidates goof up in the interview.

Make notes during the interview. This will help you remember the main points of the interview and will show to the employer that you are interested in the job.