Congratulations on landing the interview! You DEFINITELY want to know what mistakes to avoid so that you can better position yourself for the coveted job offer.
Mistake #1: Placing total focus on salary and showing interest only in the best dollar offer.
The Reality: Hiring decision-makers initially want to know what you can do for their company instead of the other way around.
Mistake #2: Going into the interview and paying little or no attention to your personal appearance.
The Reality: Although business casual is the rule rather than the exception these days, men should stay away from wearing polo shirts, shorts, and running shoes. Women should refrain from wearing excessive jewelry, too much hair product, and make-up. And both sexes should avoid wearing too much cologne, ripped clothing, and piercings other than just 1 pair of earrings. Hiring decision-makers believe that if you're going to pay so little attention to your appearance, this will reflect in your work ethic.
Mistake #3: Demonstrating passiveness and/or indifference in the interview.
The Reality: Hiring decision-makers will interpret a lack of interest or enthusiasm on your part, as YOUR lack of interest in the job you want.
Mistake #4: Verbally condemning past employers.
The Reality: Hiring decision-makers will form the impression that you have a grudge to bear and could say nasty things about their company.
Mistake #5: Arriving late for the interview.
The Reality: Traffic jams, car breakdowns, and behind-schedule buses and subways are unacceptable excuses for hiring decision-makers.
Mistake #6: Flubbing the "Why do you want to work here?" question.
The Reality: True story: One job-seeker actually said to a potential employer, "Please tell me who you work for. I have sent out so many applications that I've forgotten the names of the companies I have applied for." As a result, the potential employer thought, "If you - dear Job Seeker - can't be bothered to take the time to prepare for an interview, then how badly will you function in this job?"
Mistake #7: Telling the interview panel that you are nervous and ill at ease.
The Reality: They already know that an interview can produce stress. However, by revealing these feelings to a prospective employer, they will think you are incapable of doing the job.
