10 Job Interview Mistakes to Avoid

By Carl Bradford

If you've read one or several of the countless publications about job job interviews and how to avoid messing up the interview, you may have some good tips and suggestions.  Most of that information may be just fine, however here are 10 common mistakes made in one fashion or the other. Consider these just the "cliff notes" version.

Avoid These 10 Mistakes

1. Arriving late for your job interview. The one thing you avoid at all costs is being late for your interview. If you're hired you'll be expected to be on time and your ability to be on time for the interview is often a judgement of whether you'll be late if you're hired.

Some suggestions to prevent tardiness are:

• Obtaining through directions to the interview location from the recruiter or hiring manager or the HR representative. When possible inquire further about just how much time to allow to either drive (or use public transportation) to your job interview location from wherever you'll be coming. When it's a big organization or plant setting, find out which building your interview will take place in. Don't forget to ask about parking your car and if the parking is free or paid.
• Get phone numbers of the interviewer just in case you need them during your trip to the interview, or should you need to reschedule your interview date/time (illness, family emergency, current work conflicts, etc.)
• If at all feasible make a trial trip, by driving to the location for the interview. This includes driving to that location at about the same time during the day that your job job interview is planned. This provides you with the best idea of just how much time to allow to get to the interview. This is a good time to also scout out the parking arrangement.
• Permit yourself a minimum of a 10-15-minute safety net. It's much better to be early, instead of being late.
• When you are running late despite all your planning and best efforts (traffic jam, flat tire, inclement weather, etc.) phone the interviewer so that you can notify her or him that you'll be a little late and include the causes for your delay. See whether you can still be interviewed or if you need to reschedule.

2. Overlooking a last minute personal grooming check. By arriving early ask for the nearest restroom and look in the mirror so that you can make certain your grooming is still appropriate. Make certain your clothes are strait and neat and comb your hair if needed and if you've eaten recently check your teeth to be sure that you don't have food lodged in your teeth. Remember this is a good time to also take that "pit stop" so you won't have to ask to use the restroom in the middle of interviews.

3. Dressing inappropriately. No mater what level of job you're interviewing for, your clothes must clean and neat.. For professional positions, men and women must dress professionally and what that means may vary from company to company. For many jobs, well put together business informal clothing will be all you need. This isn't right time or place for jewelry or clothing that is flamboyant. You wouldn't want anything to draw attention away from focus from your qualifications to do the job. It's best to inquire about proper dress code when setting up the interview appointment. And just in case, it's always best to err on the side of being a little over dressed, vs. under dressed.

4. Being trapped into making casual conversation. Numerous interviews start with a casual conversation to place the two you at ease. No matter what, stay away from topics such as politics and religion. Acceptable subjects for casual discussion include sport or the weather,regardless and if you needed any assistance locating the company facility for the job interview. Making comments about photos or other things at place of work is generally effective. Nevertheless, be sure you are in the actual interviewer's office, instead of in a office just being used for the job interview, before you discuss workplace items.

5. Being unable to communicate effectively about your current and prior work background. Many interviewers are certainly not really experienced and often a few of the more knowledgeable ones will use your resume as a guideline during job interview. Be ready to discuss everything in-depth that you've listed on your resume. If you can, rehearse having an interview with an associate or friend. Your practice may not be optimal, but it will sure help you increase your interviewing ability all of which will place you ahead of many of your competitors.

6. Being unfamiliar with the job you are being interviewed for. The more knowledge you get regarding the job and the organization, more probable it is you'll be able to represent yourself as the solution to meet the employer's needs. When you're in a major job hunt, you ought to have completed considerable company research prior to getting the interview.

Information sources for could be:

• The Internet. Both the company's website and/or websites focussing on the profession or industry.
• The library. Industry magazines or publications like the Occupational Outlook Handbook tend to be helpful.
• Networking. Talk to individuals who are acquainted with the actual job or business. Linkedin is a great resource for this. In case you do not know a person with the knowledge you seek, you probably know somebody who knows somebody who has that information. Networking begins with asking them questions, so you shouldn't be reluctant to ask others for information and facts.

7. Failing to pay attention for hints in relation to requirements from the company. Numerous interviewers begin the job interview by supplying you with an understanding of the business and its needs. Treat these details as a treasure. As soon as you've acquired these details, you'll be able to customize your replies to how you are able to assist them fulfill those needs. The company is trying to find somebody to solve their challenges and, if you are able to persuade them that you are capable of doing so, you will end up significantly ahead of your competition.

8. Failing to recognize when to quit speaking. When you have practiced your interviewing, you will definitely have the ability to plainly and briefly answer their questions and explain your accomplishments. Avoid rambling replies that will move away from subject of the job interview. Use the SMART method for structuring your answers. This should be a one to three minute initial response in most cases.

S = Specific

M = measureable

A = Action oriented

R =Results oriented

T = Time specific

Don't be frightened of silence during the interview and don't try to fill in lulls in the conversation. If you're unsure whether or not the job interviewer has gotten adequate details from your answer, ask them if your response was sufficient, i.e. "have I given you enough information, or would you like more detail?"

9. Failing to ask insightful questions. Usually, at the conclusion of the job interview, you'll be asked if you have any questions. Avoid using these times to inquire about benefits or when you might take your very first holiday. The questions you ask need to display your desire for the job. You might want to ask questions like:

• The most important long term plans for your company? The most important plans for the position you're interviewing for?
• Exactly what do you believe are the most crucial skills needed for this job?
• How will you evaluate my progress and my accomplishments in this job?
• May I answer any questions for you before I leave?

10. Failing to remember to always use a thank-you / follow-up response. Attempt to get business cards from every person you interview with and make at least one key note about what you talked with during interview with that person (use the back of the card), then include a comment about that point in your thank you letter. Emails are OK to use. The interviewer's email should be on the business card.

A thank you correspondence has a number of excellent points.

• It's going to help remind the interviewer of both you and your qualifications. Very few people really send this sort of correspondence and submitting one should cause you to differentiate yourself.  You can use it add to the responses you presented during your interview.
• You could strengthen areas in places you thought you failed to thoroughly explain during your interview. It is possible to add more details - the points you "wish you'd have stated" during the job interview. This could even include a document or white paper or a link on the web that points to what you've done.

All through the job interview process, remember that the process is actually a competition. Its not necessary to be perfect, just superior to the competition. By eliminating these ten ways to mess up a job interview, you will have a high probability of beating your competitors.

(c) 2009 by Carl Bradford - I am an Executive Recruiter with over 40 years of recruiting and hiring experience. I am also a recognized expert in this field. I train corporate and independent recruiters in the Lou Adler recruiting methods and am currently the only individual that is permitted to certify other recruiters in this coveted methodology.

You can find all of my current search assignments at:
http://www.BradfordConsulting.com and my blog posts at: http://www.theemploymentguy.com/