Attending job interviews is a big part of life and it is extremely important. In fact, some job interviews can change the course of a person’s life, so it is only right that people are nervous before attending them. It can be easy to get so caught up thinking about what you need to do, that you forget some of the things you shouldn’t do during an interview.
You don’t want to embarrass yourself before you can even show how great you fit into the job role. If you want to ace that interview, then you need to be prepared and our tips can help you to become an impressive candidate.
Arriving Late
When you are given a date for an interview, they normally give you enough time to prepare, so you should be able to remember when to turn up. You should never be late to an interview as it shows that you are unprofessional and unorganised, which isn’t what the employer is looking for in the candidate. There are ways to make sure you arrive in plenty of time, such as planning out your route in advance and taking into account anything that could halt your travels. The unexpected always happens, so plan to arrive at least twenty to fifteen minutes early. That way you have time to go over any notes you have and relax a little.
Forgetting to Turn Your Phone Off
There is nothing worse than having a mobile phone ring when it’s not supposed to such as the movies, but it is even worse when it’s in an interview. You don’t want anything to distract yourself or the interviewers from the questions that need to be asked. If your phone goes off it will also show that you’re not prepared with thinking ahead. Turning it off before you go into the interview room is the safest bet to make sure it doesn’t go off but putting it on silent works just as well.
Dressing Inappropriately
It is important that you present yourself to the interviewer as someone they would potentially want to hire. That means you have to dress appropriately in something that is smart, such as a suit or skirt and blouse with clean shoes. Dressing casually in lounge wear is never good form and it will show that you don’t care. If you want to make a good first impression, you have to make the effort and avoid wearing anything that is ripped, stained or smells strange.
Lie About Your History
In the past there have been people that have lied about their work history and it never turns out well for them. Contrary to popular belief, people often know when others are lying, even if they think they are being convincing. Your body language will give it away and you will struggle to keep up with the details if asked about them again. As well as this, interviewers are able to ring up past employers to confirm the details you say, so it is best to never lie. Honesty is always the best policy and you never want to damage your reputation.
Look Bored
If you want to be taken seriously then it’s best that you don’t look bored during the interview. You want to show them that you’re engaged in answering their questions and listening to them when they talk. Make sure you aren’t slouching in your chair or stifling a yawn every thirty seconds. They are going to notice if you do this, especially if you look half asleep. To avoid this, ensure you have a decent night’s sleep before your interview and, if you need to, have a cup of coffee to get you ready to face the day. If you stay focused and pay attention, it will show the interviewers that you are interested in what they have to say.
Not Making Eye Contact
Body language is everything and so is making eye contact. There is nothing worse than trying to talk to someone that is avoiding eye contact, folding their arms and shaking their legs. Not only will you seem extremely nervous, it will show that you can’t function under pressure, which is important in a job. Be sure to sit properly and make eye contact, but not too much. You don’t want to stare them down, but you do want to show that you are interested.
When you know what to do and say, taking part in an interview is easy and once you’ve had a few it’ll be no bother. With our help you’ll be able to make a great first impression!
