You see a job posting and automatically you know it would be the perfect job for you. Your qualifications match, it would present you with career growth opportunities, and you know you’d bring great value to the company. In short, it’s your dream job.
You get the call for your interview, whether it’s in person or through online video, and you feel ready. Before you head out the door or fire up your webcam, however, know there are plenty of little pitfalls which can come between you and your dream job. With 7.9 percent unemployment, even a tiny mistake can be the opening another qualified candidate needs to leapfrog over you and get the job.
So what are the common mistakes you need to avoid to ace your interview? Here are five questions your interviewer should never ask themselves at any point during your meeting:
What Are You Wearing?
It might be spring, but that doesn’t mean you should show up for your interview with a pastel-hued wardrobe. When the calendar flips to summer, the heat will be no excuse for donning a pair of shorts on such a formal occasion. You know the saying, “the clothes make the man”? Well in the interview, wearing the wrong thing can mean immediate disqualification before you even open your mouth.
Studies have revealed that first impressions are formed a mere 7 to 17 seconds after meeting. In 7 seconds, all your interviewer will have to go by will be your interview attire. This is why it’s imperative to dress conservatively and professionally—this is no time for a fashion show! Even if the office environment is more a T-shirt than suit jacket kind of place, the interview is no time to be taking fashion risks.
Why Are You Late?
Just like wearing a pair of flip-flops and board shorts, showing up late for your interview can be grounds for immediate dismissal. Your interviewer is taking time out of his or her busy schedule to squeeze you in. Be cognizant of this fact, and leave your house or office with plenty of time to spare.
You might not think you need the extra time, but there are plenty of obstacles life can throw at you. You could get lost going to an unfamiliar neighborhood, or get stuck in a traffic pile up. Remember, it’s better to be early than late when it comes to your interview.
If you’re far away and think it might be hard to get to your interview on time, perhaps you should suggest a video interview. This way you can fire up your webcam from the comfort of your own home. Just remember, there’s no excuse on earth for being late to your video interview. Make sure to check out your equipment in advance so you don’t run into any technical difficulties.
You Really Don’t Know Anything About the Company?
One of the most common interview mistakes, and one of the most easily remedied, is showing up for the meeting without knowing anything about the company. “So what does this company do?” is never an acceptable question to ask your interviewer.
Before showing up for your meeting, take some time to research the company. Start with their corporate website and social media properties, then expand your reach to any news about the organization. Maybe you can even connect on social media with current or former employees to find out more about the company culture. Whatever you do, don’t go into the interview without doing your homework.
Is That Your Phone Ringing?
There is nothing so important it cannot wait until you get out of an interview, so be sure to turn off all sounds on your phone before going in for your meeting. This means turning your phone off vibrate too. While a loud ring is distracting, the constant sound of your phone vibrating in your bag can be just as bad. You know you’re a popular person—there’s no need for your interviewer to know it as well.
What Did You Just Say About Your Former Employer?
Perhaps your last job was terrible. Your boss resembled Michael Scott from NBC’s comedy The Office, and not in a good way. Your coworkers were meaner than Johnny Lawrence from the Karate Kid, and the office cafeteria food was just terrible.
We’ve all been there, and we can all relate, but these stories of workplace woe belong at Happy Hour with your friends, not in an interview for a new position. You might think that badmouthing your last office is a good tactic to explain why you were fired or why you want to make the switch to a new position. It is, however, a terrible idea.
Interviewers will think if you’re willing to badmouth a former employer, you’ll be willing to throw a new company under the bus as well. Go for discretion instead of full confession, and try to spin your former experiences in a positive way and make it about what you learned, not how much you hated your former job.
Interviews can be stressful, which can lead to little mistakes that add up to big trouble for your prospects. Focus on avoiding some of the most common errors, and you’ll be well on your way to nabbing the job of your dreams!
What are some common interview mistakes to avoid? Share in the comments!
上一篇: 商务礼仪中常见的英文表达方式(一)
下一篇: 新雇员该怎样称呼老板和同事
一周热词榜(7.22-28)
不是所有的争吵都是坏事
川普宣布禁止跨性别者在军中服役
野生动物第六次灭绝正在加速
巴基斯坦总理谢里夫因贪腐被勒令下台
国内英语资讯:Chinese premier meets former WHO chief
“你行你上啊”的英文,到底怎么说!
国内英语资讯:Chinas development not a threat to other countries: FM spokesperson
国际英语资讯:Venezuelas Maduro, defying U.S. sanctions, says elections will go ahead
星巴克CEO霍华德·舒尔茨毕业演讲:成大事者 当知分享
优雅永恒 Elegance Never Fades
英国推出折叠房,能移动还能太阳能供电
A sporting chance
国际英语资讯:Shallow quake of 5.8 magnitude hits eastern Indonesia
参议院未能成功废除奥巴马医保法
国际英语资讯:Hillary Clinton releases tell-all book about her 2016 presidential election defeat
菲尔普斯VS大白鲨,仅以两秒之差落败
国内英语资讯:China opens wider to boost foreign investment
老外在中国:我迷上了经典版《西游记》
乘客太多 空间不够 纽约地铁欲拆座位
国际英语资讯:DPRK confirms test firing second ICBM
国内英语资讯:Chinese Vice Premier hopes for more cultural exchanges with ASEAN
国内英语资讯:Top advisory body to convene in late August
国际英语资讯:Trump says John Kelly to be new WH chief of staff
你认为自己情商高吗?来看看这12种高情商的表现吧
国际英语资讯:IMF says Chinese RMB exchange rate in line with fundamentals
你认为自己情商高吗?来看看这12种高情商的表现吧
国际英语资讯:U.S. Senate again votes down Republican plan to repeal Obamacare
国内英语资讯:BRICS tax authorities ink institutional document to enhance cooperation
国内英语资讯:Xi says closer BRICS cooperation helps build new type of intl relations