Finding the perfect job or switching careers isn’t always easy. Many common mistakes are made because candidates are out of practice when it comes to interviewing. Below is a list of the top don’ts to keep in mind when preparing for an interview.
- Don’t arrive late for an interview. It is a good rule of thumb to arrive at least 10- 15 minutes early.
- Don’t ask the interviewer to tell you about the position or company. It is your responsibility to do as much research as possible to make a fantastic first impression.
- Don’t ask questions until you are invited to do so. Interrupting the recruiter may come across as pushy or aggressive.
- Don’t inquire about salary, work hours, vacation or benefits- at least not during the first interview and in some cases the second.
- Don’t exaggerate your previous experience or skills.
- Don’t sound confused about where you’re heading. Provide a clear understanding of your career goals.
- Stay focused and interested. Avoid yawning, or staring out the window.
- Never leave your cell phone on or answer it during an interview. (Turn it off before the interview or don’t bring it at all).
- Don’t discuss your personal life or negative things that may be going on.
- Never talk negatively about a previous employer.
- Don’t post inappropriate materials to your social networking site. Sometimes recruiters access these sites to learn more about candidates. It is important to keep your profile looking extremely professional.
- Don’t forget to thank the interviewer before you leave.
- Don’t forget to ask the interviewer about the next steps in the process.
- Don’t forget to send a thank you note or letter to everyone you met.
Keep in mind that landing an interview isn’t easy, so make sure to devote time to interview preparation. More specifically, focus on researching the company and position you are interviewing for and review the top don’ts of an interview process. Adequate interview preparation will help contribute to a successful interview.
