| | | | | Not being able to properly articulate answers to |
| Job interview mistakes can be easily avoided! These | | | | interview questions is what every candidate dreads. |
| are the five interview mistakes that commonly cause | | | | The best way to avoid this is to think about and |
| candidates to fail in their job interviews. | | | | prepare your answers to common job interview |
| Inadequate Preparation | | | | questions beforehand. What will be required of the |
| Benjamin Franklin’s famous quote “By failing to | | | | successful candidate in this position? What questions |
| prepare, you are preparing to fail” is never more | | | | are likely? Certain standard questions crop up in most |
| applicable than when it comes to the job interview. Do | | | | job interviews, examples include, “What are your |
| the necessary homework beforehand and you will | | | | strengths/weaknesses?”, “Why do you want |
| impress the interviewer as a committed and | | | | this position?”, “What have been your |
| enthusiastic job candidate. Research the company and | | | | achievements to date?” Prepare and practice |
| the position before your interview and demonstrate | | | | answers to these sort of questions and avoid this job |
| how you are the right fit by answering questions | | | | interview mistake. |
| effectively and preparing the most appropriate | | | | Not Asking Questions |
| questions to ask. The most obvious way to do this is | | | | At some point in the interview a candidate is asked |
| to go to the company’s website. Other resources | | | | “Do you have any questions?” Failing to ask |
| include industry-related websites, business information | | | | appropriate questions shows a lack of interest and |
| websites and competitor websites. Visit your public | | | | thought and is considered one of the worst job |
| library and ask for relevant directories and periodicals. | | | | interview mistakes a candidate can make. Use your |
| If you live close enough, visit the company beforehand. | | | | company research to prepare insightful questions that |
| Pick up relevant brochures and reports in the reception | | | | both impress the interviewer and get the information |
| area and just observe for a while. The better | | | | you need to make a well-informed job decision. |
| prepared you are for your interview the greater your | | | | Not Showing a Positive Attitude |
| chances of success. | | | | Coming across as negative can be the result of a |
| Arriving Late and Without the Necessary | | | | number of behaviors during the interview. Complaining |
| Documentation | | | | about a previous position, boss, colleagues or company |
| This is one of the most common job interview | | | | sends a negative message and should be avoided. |
| mistakes and compromises the whole interview | | | | Inappropriate body language can also create a |
| situation. An initial bad impression is very difficult to | | | | negative impression. Hunching down or slumping in the |
| overcome during the interview. Make sure you know | | | | chair, avoiding eye contact, looking down constantly, |
| where to go and how long it is going to take you to | | | | folding arms across the chest, fiddling with hair or |
| get there. Have directions handy. Make a practice run, | | | | things on the desk all give a negative message. |
| if possible, to get the timing right. Write down the name | | | | Speaking inaudibly or mumbling are other negative |
| of the person you should ask for when you get there. | | | | non-verbal signals. Practice your answers and |
| Take a portfolio with copies of all necessary | | | | questions in front of a mirror using a confident tone of |
| documentation with you- your resume, | | | | voice and positive body language. |
| recommendations, work samples etc. | | | | Avoid these lethal job interview mistakes and come |
| Answering Interview Questions Hesitantly and Poorly | | | | across as the right candidate for the job! |
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