Mistakes not to make at interview
Category: Tips and Advice
Publish date: 26/05/2017
You may have read a wealth of advice on how to conduct yourself at interview; how to dress, what to bring, what to do and how to say things - but have you thought about what behaviours you should avoid?
There are of course some very obvious 'do nots' for any interview; as a recruiter, there is nothing worse than the candidate arriving for the interview and there being obvious issues which affect your judgement from the outset. Dave Hornsey, CTP Employer Relationship Manager for East Midlands remembers two interviewees who didn't give great first impressions:
"A young lady arrived for a one to one interview with a skirt that was no more than a wide belt and a V-neck top reaching down to her navel. I declined to interview her and made an alternative appointment for a later date. She was advised to dress appropriately for the next interview before she left.""A second interview was commenced but the candidate was vague and not coherent; when asked if he was okay he admitted to having smoked a joint on his way to the interview as he was nervous. That interview was quickly wound up and he was declined for the role – the company had a strict Drug and Alcohol testing policy which he would have failed!"As well as these more unprofessional examples, consider the following key areas and ensure you don't make these less-obvious mistakes at interview...
Don’t forget about body language
Much of the communication between human beings is non-verbal. Interviews are more than question and answer sessions – they are an interaction. Looking and feeling the part will help you and will convey to the interviewer the fact that you are businesslike, alert and enthusiastic.
It is important that you realise how influential non-verbal communication can be at interview, yet you should not let it strangle your natural presentation. It’s not just what you say; it’s the way that you say it that has the impact.
Don’t underestimate the impact of first impressions
You are being interviewed as soon as you walk into the building. You can learn a great deal about an organisation by seeing how well you are received. You never know whether the person you pass in the corridor or in the lift is part of the interview process. Be pleasant and friendly to the support staff, their comments may well be enlisted as part of the selection process.
Arriving about ten minutes early is about right. If you arrive too early you may put pressure on those who are to see you. If you have been unavoidably delayed, make sure you let your interviewer know.
Most interviewers form an impression of an interviewee in the first few seconds. This, in most cases, will remain unchanged at the end of the interview. So smile and shake hands firmly, wait to be asked to sit (you may sit in the wrong chair otherwise), establish and maintain good eye contact.
Don’t be afraid of silence
For the jobseeker, it is particularly valuable in an interview to develop the skill of active listening. Employers will give you clues about what they are looking for.
Listening means picking up on the non-verbal messages (body language), and listening to the silences too.
Listening means that you are accepting that what the interviewer has to say is important and valuable to you. Since the interviewer is likely to be talking about your job and their company, it has to be a good idea that you are seen to be interested!
Give yourself thinking time – silences always feel longer than they are!
Listen with not only your ears, but use your eyes and your instincts, too. Pick up the clues and then give back to the interviewer what they are looking for.
Don’t monopolise your time
Think of the interview from the interviewer’s point of view. He/She may have a number of candidates to see and it can be very wearing to have a series of interview ‘victims’.
Use eye contact to reach and engage the interviewer and make your responses an opportunity to inform, expand and discuss.
Ask questions to get opportunities to match, but do not monopolise the time – get the right balance.
Show sincerity and humility as well as confidence – arrogance and being phoney can really turn the interviewer off!
Don’t leave without telling them you want the job
Only a small number of candidates leave an impression at the end of the interview that they actually want the job. Demonstrate some excitement or emotion if you are really keen to have the job.
For example, leave with a final parting shot such as “I’ve really enjoyed the interview today and this job has real appeal for me. I would love to do this job.”
In other words,
ask for the job - a great technique and so few people do it. Most are so relieved that the interview is over that they can't wait to escape and depart with the minimum words, poor body language, leaving a lasting bad impression.