| The purpose of this article is to cover the most | | | | feedback. For your convenience, we have a Mock |
| frequent mistakes made by applicants. Although most | | | | Interview Exercise that simulates a real interview and |
| of these points appear to be common sense, human | | | | contains grading tools to show ways to improve and |
| resource professional often witness these pitfalls. For | | | | reveal answering patterns. You can also enhance this |
| more information visit our resume and job interview | | | | exercise with the use of an audio/video recording tool. |
| training and services on one of the largest job sites in | | | | 4. Over answering is one of the most common and |
| Canada, US and UK. | | | | easily correctable mistakes. Over answering is also |
| 1. First, turn off your cell phone during an interview. A | | | | one of the biggest pet peeves among interviewer |
| ringing cell phone won't impress an interviewer. With | | | | circles. Know when to stop. The interviewer's body |
| today's reliance on cell phones, in our experience about | | | | language can signal to the applicant when it is |
| 1 in every 5 applicants forget to turn off their cell | | | | appropriate to stop answering. These signals include |
| phones during an interview. | | | | briefly looking away, leaning away from the applicant, |
| 2. Reciting your resume and cover letter is also | | | | and shifting their positions frequently during your |
| something that's common, but should be avoided. The | | | | answer. If you see one of these signs in your next |
| interview is your chance to expand on these | | | | interview, ask yourself: "have I answered the |
| documents and discuss your qualifications. | | | | question?" and act accordingly. Try timing your answer |
| 3. Mumbling is another common mistake that can often | | | | to see the length of your response. On average most |
| be corrected with ease. Some applicants mumble, are | | | | people take between 5 to 7 mins to answer which |
| soft-spoken, or perhaps have a slight accent. | | | | exceeds the attention span of most interviewers. |
| Remember to speak up and speak clearly when you | | | | 5. Avoid being negative. While your previous employer |
| are in a job interview. | | | | may have been a tyrant and difficult to work for, it is |
| A useful exercise to refine interview skills is the use of | | | | not to your advantage to speak negatively about past |
| role-play. Find someone who is willing to role-play some | | | | work experiences. |
| interview questions with you and ask them to provide | | | | |