Biggest Interview Mistakes

During an interview, you need to put your best foot

forward in order to make a memorable and favorable
impression. However, far too many individuals have left
lasting imprints that could hardly be considered positive.
Below are some common interview mistakes that even the
most intelligent people make and how you can adeptly avoid
them.

1. Not Preparing

Think you'll just "wing it" at your next interview?

Chances are, you'll walk out embarrassed and without
a job offer in sight. If you really want the position, you
need to do some homework. Find out all you can about
both the company and your interviewer(s) before your
scheduled meeting. The Internet is a fast resource for
this task and you can also call friends or family who
might have some inkling or insider hints about the
organization. Additionally, scour your résumé or
curriculum vitae (CV) and, in essence, get to know
yourself (it's easy to forget achievements when you're
put on the spot). Practice interviewing with a trusted
loved one and plan your responses for tough questions
like "Why do you want to work here?" and "Where do
you see yourself five years from now?"

2. Badmouthing Your Boss

Despise your current boss? Loathe the company that

assigns you a paycheque? Keep mum about it during
your interview lest you seem like loose cannon. Even if
you can't stand your supervisor or department, find
 something truthful and tactful to say in answer to the
question, "Why do you want to leave XYZ Enterprises?"

For instance, you can say, "Well, I feel that my

company and I are headed in different directions."
That's an honest way to show your displeasure without
calling XYZ Enterprises a nasty name. Another reply
that works well is, "I felt it was time to move on to an
organization with more growth potential." Again, it's not
a fib and you've actually just flattered your interviewer
by implying that his or her business is successful.

3. Chewing Gum

Many people have a habit of chewing gum before face-

to-face meetings either to freshen their breaths or calm
their nerves. Though there's nothing innately wrong
with this, never allow yourself to take your chewing gum
into the building! Instead, dispose of it well before you
ever walk through the door of what could be your next
employer.

Think of it this way - during your interview, what kind of

impression do you suppose you'll make when either
your gum starts smacking or your cheek bulges as you
try to hide the sticky stuff in your mouth? Plus, it's
rather gauche to spit it out in front of an interviewer.

4. Fidgeting

Are you someone who has trouble sitting still? Then

you need to discipline yourself to remain calmly in a
seat for at least an hour. There's nothing quite as
annoying to an interviewer as an interviewee who
simply cannot stop kicking his or her leg or whose eyes
dart from ceiling to floor.
 Unless your fidgeting is a result of a medical condition,
you have to learn how to steel yourself against the
desire to move around. Some people have even placed
pebbles in their shoes as a physical reminder; thus,
when the urge to squirm approaches, they can firmly
press their toes onto a solid stone instead of allowing
their limbs to twitch.

5. Talking Money

Many interviewers will try to trap you into talking about

salary requirements; however, if they haven't offered
you the job yet, it's imperative that you not discuss any
actual figures. If you do, you'll lose ground on future
negotiations.

Should the person with whom you're discussing

potential employment bring up the subject of your
salary, there are a few diplomatic ways to handle your
answer. For example, you can always reply, "I'm sure
that if we decide to work together, we can come to an
acceptable figure. But I prefer not to talk about numbers
right now." Some have even had success turning the
tables on the interviewer and asking, "Are you offering
me the position?" Though the latter is extremely bold, it
does get the point across that salary is not something
you'll talk about in an initial face-to-face and without a
contract on the table.