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Ten mistakes to avoid in a job interview

Writer's picture: Fasahat FerozeFasahat Feroze

Updated: Mar 31, 2023



Job interviews can be stressful experiences, and you must do your best to make a good impression. With that in mind, there are certain behaviours you should avoid during an interview to increase your chances of success. In this blog post, we will discuss ten common mistakes people often make when attending job interviews so that you can ensure these don't happen to you!


1- Arriving late or unprepared

When attending a job interview, arriving on time and preparing is essential. Arriving late is unprofessional and shows the interviewer you are unreliable and lack respect for your time. To avoid this, plan your route to anticipate traffic delays or public transport issues. It's also a good idea to bring extra copies of your resume, references and other relevant documents in case they are needed during the interview.

2- Appearing disinterested in the position

It's essential to show enthusiasm for the role during an interview as it conveys interest in what the company does and demonstrates a genuine commitment to securing a job with them. Ensure you have researched the company to ask questions demonstrating knowledge of their products or services. Make positive statements about why you think working there would benefit both parties. Additionally, maintain eye contact with your interviewer throughout the conversation, as this will help build rapport between both parties while displaying confidence at the same time.

3- Making negative comments about your previous employers or coworkers

Negative language should never be used when describing past experiences related either directly or indirectly with current or previous employers/coworkers, especially during interviews, as it could put off recruiters from considering hiring someone who has bad-mouthed people associated with those organisations previously worked at, even if those comments were genuine and justified under certain circumstances - companies like employees who don'tdon't gossip behind others backs no matter how much wrong was done against them by anyone else whilst employed elsewhere priorly!


4- Not asking any questions during the interview

Many job seekers mistakenly believe they need only answer their interviewer's questions, but failing to ask meaningful questions may indicate a lack of interest or engagement in the role. Asking relevant and thoughtful questions shows you have researched the company and position while demonstrating initiative and enthusiasm for what is being discussed.


5- Failing to research the company beforehand

Researching a potential employer before attending an interview is critical if candidates want to stand out from other applicants who may have applied for similar roles within that organisation. The activities involve researching their mission statement, core values, history, and product offerings. When asked questions related to these topics during an interview, one can provide insightful answers that reflect an understanding of an organisation's culture. Doing this will assure employers that candidates are taking their efforts to join them seriously by taking the initiative to learn more about what they do first-hand rather than simply relying on superficial descriptions found online through web searches alone.


6- Talking too much without allowing for a two-way dialogue

It can be tempting to talk as much as possible about yourself when given an opportunity – especially if you feel like this will impress your interviewer – however, it is vital to keep control over conversations by listening carefully and responding thoughtfully rather than simply talking over one another. Allowing both parties involved to contribute equally will demonstrate respect for each other'sother's time, which is critical when trying to build rapport with potential employers.


7- Exaggerating qualifications, experiences or achievements

While embellishing details might seem like a good idea at first glance – after all, no one wants to appear unqualified - exaggerating credentials could land you in hot water if discovered by hiring managers or HR departments. Remember that honesty always pays off in job interviews; accurate factual information builds trust between candidates and recruiters and increases confidence in future performance levels once hired on board.


8- Not dressing appropriately for the job and organisational culture

Your appearance must match the role you're applying for and the company's culture. If you are still determining what dress code is appropriate for an organisation, always err on the side of caution and opt for something more formal than less formal. Showing under-dressed could give recruiters and hiring managers an impression that you don't take them seriously or respect their values - both red flags which will likely cost you any chance at getting hired.

9- Poorly handling difficult questions

During your job interview, there may be some questions asked which may seem tricky or intimidating at first glance. It's best not to panic when faced with these types of questions - instead, take your time and think through each answer before speaking out loud. Always avoid getting flustered or overwhelmed by tough inquiries; focus on staying composed and providing thoughtful responses while maintaining eye contact throughout the conversation.


10- Negotiating salary before being offered a position

Even if salary negotiation arises during your initial discussions, only attempt to negotiate pay after you've been offered a position within an organisation. Negotiating too soon can send off warning signals such as lack of commitment or desperation – two traits no employer wants from potential hires! Furthermore, never mention exact numbers in terms of salary expectations unless prompted by recruiters themselves - this way, they'll have room to work around based on their budget allowances and gauge whether it meets yours too, without putting yourself in an awkward spot financially before employment commencement.


Overall, job interviews can be intimidating and nerve-wracking. However, by avoiding the above ten things during a job interview, you will be well on your way to making a great impression and securing the position.


Konfidence AI is an innovative AI-powered job interview preparation app that provides a comprehensive practice environment for job applicants. It offers more than 350 thinking, doing and feeling questions and real-time facial analysis feedback to help users refine their interview techniques. The analytics feature helps users track their progress, while the session recordings allow them to review their performance. With its easy-to-use interface and powerful features, Konfidence AI is an invaluable tool for anyone preparing for a job interview.

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