10 common mistakes to avoid in an interview

Interview
Microfinance Jobs
Advice Jun 17, 2022 0

Many people prepare for interviews by researching the company and updating their resume and list of references. There are, however, a few interview screw-ups that are all too frequent. Consider common interview mistakes to avoid when preparing for your next job interview.

Inappropriately dressed

For a job interview, avoid dressing casually. Jeans and t-shirts are not to be appropriate attire for a job interview. Consider a suit or dress pants with a crisp button-down shirt or sweater as an alternative. When in doubt, ask the hiring manager what the company’s dress code is and use that to guide your interview attire selection.

Arriving Late

Arriving late for your job interview demonstrates that you are unable to manage your time effectively and have a poor sense of priorities. Instead, allow plenty of time to travel to your interview in case there is traffic or some unforeseen delay.

Learn about the company

Treat a job interview as though it were a test. It’s crucial to learn everything you can about the firm where you’re applying so you can explain why your abilities are a suitable fit for its operations.

Do enough homework to be prepared to address the company’s recent merger or new business model to set yourself apart from the crowd, advises Kelly Marinelli, principal people strategy consultant at Solve HR. “It demonstrates your enthusiasm for the specific function and the firm, and that distinguishes you.”

Having poor body language

Communication goes beyond words. It’s important to make eye contact while listening & speaking, offer a firm handshake and sit with good posture. Try not to channel your nervous energy into fidgeting.

Losing focus

During the interview, everyone loses focus from time to time, but it’s critical to remain completely engaged in the conversation during a job interview. Instead of wandering off while the interviewer speaks, pay attention to what they’re saying and respond with active listening techniques like nodding, making eye contact, and smiling.

Don’t feel shy to ask questions

“Do you have any questions for me?” the interviewer will almost always ask at the end of the interview.

It would be a “fatal mistake” not to take advantage of this chance, according to Bill Cole, chief executive of William B. Cole Consultants. It delivers the message that you aren’t very interested in the firm or that you are arrogantly confident that you know everything there is to know about it.

Cole suggests asking questions throughout the interview for it to feel like “a natural, flowing discussion.”

When the interviewer asks if you have any more questions, Cole recommends saying something like, “I have so many questions I’ll run out of time, so I’ll go right in.”

(source: https://money.usnews.com/money/careers/interviewing/articles/job-interview-mistakes-to-avoid)

Reminiscing about previous jobs in a bad light

Some of your previous jobs may have been less than ideal. Regardless, keep a pleasant attitude while discussing previous work and companies. Speaking poorly about someone could give the impression that you’re difficult to get along with.

Illogical chit-chat

Consider the meaning and impact of your remarks and pause for a moment before responding. The small conversation that isn’t relevant comes seen as unprofessional and displays an inability to focus on the task at hand.

Making everything about you

The goal of a job interview for an employer is to identify whether or not an applicant is a good fit for the company’s needs. That implies you should focus your replies on how the company will profit from hiring you rather than how you will benefit from receiving the job.

Avoid checking your phone

During an interview, you should avoid answering the phone, reading through social media, or replying to text messages. Instead, switch off or set your phone to not disturb mode for the duration of the interview. Keep it hidden so you don’t feel compelled to check your messages.

These are some mistakes which can be avoided during your interview.

Was that helpful? We, at MicrofinanceJobs.net, hope we could bring some more awareness on mistakes to be avoided during an interview which can prove to be deadly to your career.

REFERENCE LINKS:-

  1. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/common-interview-mistakes
  2. https://www.michaelpage.at/en/advice/career-advice/interview/15-things-you-should-avoid-job-interview
  3. https://money.usnews.com/money/careers/interviewing/articles/job-interview-mistakes-to-avoid
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