A Short Guide to Avoiding Self-inflicted Interview Mistakes

Many of us have been there we took the time to have a “kick-ass” resume, nailed the cover letter, had some great references, got an interview, and then got to the interview …

… Something happened, with the job in sight, just like an overconfident race car driver, we crashed in the final corner and didn’t get the job, or worse, we never heard back from the organization.

I have interviewed well over 1,000 people and have seen many people disqualify themselves without ever knowing why. 

What follows are a few critical mistakes that I have seen over and over again; in fact, I have been guilty of making them myself.  Take a moment, read and appreciate them, and then help yourself or someone you know to avoid these interview-tripping hazards. 

Going to the wrong place – How can this ever happen?  It does.  Many years ago, I managed a retail business with a competitor located next door.  A person arrived one day and announced they were here for their interview.  They become quite indignant that we did not remember scheduling their interview, to the point of almost accusing us of fraud.  It wasn’t until the applicant yelled at me, “I was supposed to be at (NAME OF THE COMPETITOR) at 2 pm for an interview.”  I asked the person if they happened to notice the name on the building and they got a sick look of realization on their face.  Not only had they gone to the wrong place, but they were also now late.  I don’t think they got the job.

Sometimes an organization will have more than one location, double-check the one you are supposed to be at, if you go to the wrong place, your chances of being hired decline dramatically.

Going at the wrong time.  Arriving at the wrong time or being late can also kill your chances to stand out.  For in-person interviews try to arrive at least 15 minutes early, it gives you a “buffer” in case traffic delays you, it gives you time to get organized, and most importantly it gives you time to relax.  If the interview is online, allow at least 5 minutes to deal with any technical issues.

Not dressing appropriately.  Many years ago, I had an interview for a position as the manager of a pet store, I wore a suit … very inappropriate for that business and everyone who worked there knew I wasn’t going to get the job before I even got asked the first question.  The clothes you wear should be appropriate for the position; with social media, it is very easy to see what is appropriate for that organization.

Not looking like you are interested.  In an interview, it is important to be interested and to look interested.  Sit up straight, lean forward slightly, get a good night’s sleep the night before so you are not yawning, smile, and be expressive.  I have interviewed people who had all the skills we wanted, but they looked like they would rather be anywhere else but in my office and we did not hire them.

Not treating our staff with respect.  Chemistry is really important to good organizations and chemistry’s foundation is respect.  If your interview is in-person, take the time to treat the receptionist and any other associate of the organization well, be polite, smile, and don’t underestimate the importance of this point.

Not preparing – not knowing how much to answer a question.  Typically, each question should generate a two to four-minute response.  Always try to frame your answers to present yourself positively and to stand out.  As a note, replying with a simple “yes or no” answer in an interview is never a good thing.    

Not listening to what the interviewer is saying.  Active listening is a great skill, especially in an interview.  Often in stressful situations, we can be guilty of anticipating what someone is going to say and miss important nuances.  Listen until the interviewer is finished asking a question, pause for a moment or two, collect your thoughts and then answer their question.  I have seen many good applicants lose a job that was virtually theirs because they weren’t listening properly. 

Failing to answer a question.  Similarly, I have seen many applicants go off on a tangent while trying to answer a question.  if they remain focused this can be helpful.  Unfortunately, many times this can be a critical error because the applicant actually fails to answer the original question.  Interviewers do not object if your answer is longer than normal, as long as you remember to answer the question. 

Not acknowledging and/or addressing each interviewer.  If more than one person is interviewing you, address each person with your responses.  Additionally, never make assumptions about who is “in charge.” Making an assumption based on age or on the sex of an interviewer can unknowingly ruin an applicant’s chance of being hired. 

Not preparing – not knowing the job description.  Few things will discredit you faster than by asking questions that you should already know.  Recently, an applicant I was interviewing asked about the wage rate, this was on the second or third line of the job advertisement.  While not fatal, they ultimately hurt their chances because we knew they had not read the job description.   

Not preparing, failing to research.  A very easy way to stand out is to research the organization interviewing you.  Learn about the organization and what makes it unique.  Social media and a google search make it easier than ever to gain a competitive edge over other applicants.

Not Preparing – What are you missing?  Interviewers are searching for the “perfect” candidate.  In reality, it is rare for someone to apply that is “perfect.” As a result, organizations interview to find the “best available” candidate.  To succeed in an interview, a successful applicant needs to acknowledge any shortcomings prior to the interview and prepare ways to compensate for any of their missing skills.  Unfortunately, few applicants are this prepared and subsequently, they fail to stand out in comparison to other candidates.    

Some organizations utilize two or more interview processes.  If you are fortunate to gain a second interview, mentally review your performance from the first interview.  Was there anything discussed that you did not understand or what knowledge were you lacking?  Between interviews, take the time and prepare for these gaps better.  Your weaknesses will have been noted and will likely be explored in more detail in the next interview, take the time and improve your knowledge. 

Not preparing – failing to have a list of questions.  In virtually every interview, you will be asked if you have any questions.  Prepare a list of questions in advance, and bring them with you to an in-person interview or have them ready for online interviews.  The questions can include asking more about the company’s history, what is the next step in their hiring process for example.  Asking questions is a great way to show your interest and your preparation over other candidates.

Being dumb.  At the risk of being flippant, this is one of the most common mistakes that applicants make.  In interviews I have conducted, for example, some people have criticized our organization, commented on how poor our website was, and complained about how messy or unorganized my office might be.  Each of these applicants had forgotten this criticism isn’t helpful and in fact, makes them stand out for the wrong reasons.  There is a time to make criticisms; an interview isn’t one of them. 

Other examples of “dumbness” include chewing gum during an interview, bringing a coffee, wearing a toque, bringing a group of friends or family to an interview, having them wait for you, and things like wearing too much cologne or perfume.

Being too nervous.  Interviews are high-stress situations and everyone understands that.  Never assume that the interviewer isn’t nervous as well, particularly when attending an interview in a small or medium-sized organization.  A good strategy is to prepare, be early, and try to answer each question.  If you notice your hands shaking, keep them on your lap.  Take deep breaths and practice mock interviews.  On your list of questions for them, write down a reminder to yourself to highlight what you can do for their organization.  Too many times applicants forget this easy way to stand out.    

Not having a list of references prepared or worse, using references without their knowledge.  Not every organization checks references, but enough do that not appreciating the importance of references can be a fatal error for your interview prospects.  Your references should know you are looking for work, they should be prepared and willing to help you, and they should never be related to you.

Failing to self-correct.  Having good interview skills is a learned behavior you will make mistakes.  Few people take the time to develop their skills.  A useful tool is to critically analyze each interview and review three questions:

1. What did I do well or right?
2. What did I do wrong or what could I improve?
3. What would I do differently next time?

Your resume, cover letter, interview skills, and success will evolve over time. 

Not getting a job offer can be crushing, but failing to improve will only perpetuate more failure.  Help is available, seek out your municipality’s employment office, attend free workshops to develop your resume, cover letters, job searches, and most importantly practice mock interviews before you have an interview.  Nobody is perfect the first time, or even the tenth time, just keep trying, keep improving, and never give up.

Failing to follow up.  I always found waiting for a call back after an interview to be the worst part of my job search.  As an interviewer, I appreciate those feelings.  Ask in the interview what their timeframe for making a decision is.  Follow-up with an email, thank the interviewers, and emphasize your excitement for the position.  If the time indicated passes, follow up with a call.  If they have hired someone else, be polite and stay positive. Tell the interviewer that you appreciate their time and to keep you in mind if the situation changes. 

Remember, Interviews are how organizations find the right “fit.” Getting an interview is a sign that people value your skills, experience, and behavior. 

Prepare, be organized, and be calm (as much as you can).  Interviewers are looking for reasons to hire and/or to not hire you, make sure that you don’t accidentally give them a reason for the latter.  Just like the racing car driver in the opening analogy, winning races isn’t about how fast you can go in a straight line, winning is about how well you get through the corners and it is about how prepared you are.

Good luck,

Paul