Common Mistakes That Might Be Sabotaging Your Job Interviews

Looking for a new job isn’t necessarily the easiest thing in the world. Still, there could be things that we’re doing that are putting us at risk of missing out on the job before things even get going. That’s right; the common mistakes that might be sabotaging your job interviews are more common than many realize.

Sure, we might have the outfit sorted, the questions we need to ask, and several copies of our resume, but they’re not worth anything if we already hinder our chances with the way we conduct ourselves and the things we do in the interview. After all, we only get one chance to make a first impression.

1. Being too casual can be an instant turn-off in interviews

The world has come a long way in recent years, with plenty of companies opting for more laid-back work environments instead of overly formal settings. Still, that doesn’t mean we should be as casual as possible in our interviews. This means turning up on time, thanking the interviewers for their time, and sending a thank you note. It also means we should err on the side of being formal instead of dressing down for an interview. Another idea is to avoid casual language, such as “Hi” or “Hey” in emails and interviews. Slang and informal terms should be off the cards, replaced with “Dear someone” or “Hello,” instead.

2. Bragging about all your accomplishments can come across as boastful

Of course, most people want to sell themselves in their interviews. Still, one of the most common mistakes that might be sabotaging your job interviews is being too boastful. Instead of thinking of everything you have ever done and how you are the best person in the world, focus on a few examples that are appropriate for the role you’re applying for and the qualities that define your work persona. These can be backed up with stories and examples to really show how you can bring something impressive to the role.

3. Being overconfident can seem arrogant to many interviewers

Showcasing your confidence is something that’s tough to balance. While you don’t want to be timid in your job interview, you also don’t want to come across as though you think you’re better than everyone else in the room. At least, that’s the case if you want a successful job interview. This means turning “I know I would be incredible” into things more like “I believe I would be able to bring a lot to this role.” It’s also the best idea not to assume that you have the job until you get that confirmation further down the line.

4. Talking about nothing but yourself doesn’t show interest in the role

The job interview might seem like the time to sell yourself, but that’s already been done through your resume. After all, you already have an interview - now is the time to find out what you can about the company, work life, the company’s values, and the people you might be working with if you get the job. One Harvard study shows people spend 60% of a conversation talking about themselves, with the rest thinking about what they can say about themselves. Instead, try to focus on asking questions about the company, the role, and general interest in the business, allowing the interviewer the chance to ask questions about you if they need further clarification.

5. Nerves can often come across as being distant

It can be easy to let nerves get the better of us when it comes to a job interview. Still, if you’re not careful, it could come across as though you’re not interested. Instead of offering one-word answers to questions, think about how you can expand on things to create a conversation instead of a one-sided question-and-answer situation. This is also a chance to add some personality to an answer over opting for replies the interviewers might have already heard 100 times.

6. Not understanding your audience could lead to failed job interviews

Learning how to read what someone is like when you have just met is a real skill that’s tough to master. Still, you might want to learn something about them if you hope to ace the job interview. That means learning not to mention how you are shopping around for the best salary offer, seeing if you can make a personal connection, and judging how they react to the things you say. If they light up when you ask about the company’s history, stick with those questions for a moment to show you’re interested in what life will be like and how the company has grown.

The common mistakes that might be sabotaging your job interviews could be the difference between landing the role of a lifetime and missing out on your dream career. Sometimes, all we need to do is take a moment to think about what we’re saying and our answers before we really put our foot in it.