What Not To Do In A Job Interview To Land Your Dream...

What Not To Do In A Job Interview To Land Your Dream Job

Do you slouch during job interviews or fumble with answers? Do you appear too confident or not confident enough? Know how to best handle job interviews and not to do in one.

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Know what to do during a job interview but pay extra attention on what not to do!
Know what to do during a job interview but pay extra attention on what not to do!
Know what to do during a job interview but pay extra attention on what not to do!
Know what to do during a job interview but pay extra attention on what not to do!

Job interviews are tricky enough as it is. There are so many things you need to keep mind during a job interview, such as, what to say, when to smile, how to answer the questions, etc. However, while what to do is well and good, you also need to know what not to do during an interview.

Making one mistake during the job interview can cost you the job. And, it important to make a note of things that you should abstain from.

 

Being unprepared

There is nothing which is a bigger turn off for a recruiter than a candidate who is not prepared. Being prepared doesn’t just include knowing your subject and its basics. To bag the job, you also need to read up on the company and their requirements. The ‘about us’ section on the company’s website is there to help you. And, if you can’t take out the time to go through it, then you won’t really stand the chance of getting the job.

 

Answering calls or texts

Yes, we belong to the new millennial. The whole generation has grown up using phones and laptops. However, answering calls or texts during a job interview is a strict no, no. In fact, a better thing to do will be to keep your phone on silent for the time being. That will keep you from getting distracted and make you focus better on the interview.

 

Being fidgety

It is only natural to be nervous during a job interview. However, when that nervousness turns to fidgeting in plain sight of the interviewer, then that might be an issue. For one, it actually tells the interviewer you lack confidence. And second, it is distracting.

Imagine someone shaking their legs continuously or playing with a pen while you are talking. Distracting, isn’t it?

You need to fight your urge to fidget during a job interview. And, if you think you are failing then just clasp your hand under the table and sit back.

 

Slouching or other poor body language cues

Slouching is unattractive. And, during a job interview, when you are required to put your best foot forward, slouching can really turn the things towards a negative end. Slouching makes you appear under-confident and does not do you any good. In fact, it also shows a certain disinterest.

Other body language cues, such as, not looking the interviewer in the eye or not smiling enough can also turn the interview against you.

 

Speaking negatively against former employers, colleagues or teachers

Speaking negatively against anyone is not going to paint you in a prettier light. If anything, it will tell the interviewer you are not a person who can be trusted. It will make them want to vary of you as you can turn as easily against them and talk negatively as you did for people you worked with or under previously.

Even if you are asked questions like, “tell me something that you ticks you off about other people” or “what are the things that you didn’t like in your previous workplace”, try to give your answer a positive turn. Don’t dwell on the negatives.

 

Appearing too arrogant

 It has been emphasized again and again that you need to maintain a confident outlook when answering interview questions. However, many people tend to mistake confidence with arrogance. They think that appearing haughty and a little too sure of your work will be a great idea. But it could not be further away from the truth.

Being zealous is great; adding confidence to that mix is perfect. However, boasting or bragging and being too full of yourself is not a great idea. Yes, you should talk about your professional and personal achievements but not in a manner which says you are trying to show off.

 

Not asking questions

The general impression is that a job interview is when the interviewer asks you questions, you give the answers, shake hands and say thank you and come out of the room. However, that is an archaic understanding of a job interview. To bag the job and to tell the interviewer you really are interested in the job opening, you need to ask questions in return.

You need to make the interview more of a conversation where both parties participate equally. And, to do so you need to be prepared with the kind of questions you should and must ask the interviewer.

 

Dressing up or dressing down

Is it a coffee interview? Or an on-campus interview? Or you applied off-campus and got called for the job interview?

Every interview requires you to dress accordingly. Dress up too much or dress too casually and you ruin your impression. Wearing clothes that are too tight is a big no, as are casual clothes that are too loose. Similarly, showing off your tattoo or painted nails during a job interview is not really appreciated.

The best and the safest way to dress up for a job interview is to dress in monochromes or soft shades and well-fitted clothes. You can do away with funky jewellery for the day and wear clothes that speak ‘professional’.

 

These are a few things that you must distance yourself from to succeed in a job interview. You can add or subtract more points according to what fits you best. However, the general gist of it stays the same. And, that is, you need to dress up for the job you want, be confident, be positive and believe in yourself to enjoy the best of job opportunities and excel at job interviews.

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