Avoid these Job Interview goof-ups

We have all heard stories of candidates who look great on paper but are absolute disasters in
person. With interview opportunities becoming lesser and lesser in the competitive market, it
becomes absolutely essential to make the best possible first impression. Interviews are among the
most challenging & important hiring tools that are used by employers to hire suitable candidates
for their organizations. Despite taking great care while preparing for the interviews, candidates
sometimes create an embarrassing situation for them and fall in a soup.

So unless you would want to lose a potential job, make sure you avoid the following interview
bloopers:

Unpunctuality

Arriving late for the interview and not showing up on time can be interpreted as a relaxed attitude
by most hiring managers. Tardiness during interviews could signal that you are not seriously
considering the job. You should arrive at least 15 minutes in advance for your appointment.

Speaking non- coherently

The sheer nervousness and stress of an interview can propel most candidates to start rambling or
speaking non coherently. However, this situation can be avoided if you stay calm and composed.
You can handle such situations smartly by giving short and succinct answers. You can even take
guidance from professionals who can make you practice on how stay focused & to the point.

Discussing strengths and weaknesses at length

The question related to your strengths and weaknesses is invariably asked in almost all job
interviews. This is the perfect way for the interviewers to know more about the you. They look
for honesty and in exchange for it; they are ready to consider imperfect candidates as well. So,
don’t resort to bragging but try and be honest about your accomplishments. The best course of
action is to speak about only some of your weaknesses which are not too glaring in light of your
future job in the company.

Avoid sounding arrogant

Overselling yourself & sounding arrogant can sometimes prove to be negative for your job. If the
interviewer senses this, it may hamper your chances of getting the job. Instead you should come
across as someone who’s skilled and experienced but at the same time also open to learning more
and imbibing new skills. 

No Preparation:
Not being prepared for an interview is like not warming up before a big race. You should always
research the company online and check for any notable news. Try and demonstrate your
knowledge and interest in the company to set yourself apart from other candidates. Always
anticipate questions and prepare for effective answers.

Untidy Appearance

First impressions are often everlasting so one should try and make the most of it. You should
avoid wearing wrinkled or flashy clothes. Try and wear something that is elegant and spells class.
Men should opt for something conservative like a navy blue or black suit, a white shirt and black
well polished shoes. Women should go for something formal like a skirt suit and should avoid
wearing any accessories that cause any distraction.

Not Enough or Too much Eye Contact

Either of the two situations can cause a negative effect. You can seem shifty or disinterested if
you avoid eye contact and you can also wear the interviewer out with too much of it. In case you
have trouble with eye contact balance, you can have a practice session with a friend well ahead of
time to work this issue out.

Always remember, just as a strong resume wins you an opportunity to an interview similarly
perfect interview skills can get you the job you are vying for. So start your job search with a
resume that creates an arresting first impression and back those facts with your extraordinary
interview skills. Avoid the above mentioned interview pitfalls and make sure no one talks about
you as the candidate who ‘almost’ got the job.