Common Job Interview Mistakes to Avoid for Career Success
- cvguys.in
- 2 days ago
- 10 min read
Winging It: The Perils of Poor Preparation
Imagine walking into a job interview as if you were a contestant on a game show and forgot to tell themselves the rules.. Sure, you have personality, but without preparation, your chances of winning are equivalent to guessing your way through the price of a blender while blindfolded.
The numbers don't lie: only 20% of applicants even make it to the interview stage out of an average of 118 people applying for the same job. If you've gotten this far, you have already outrun a small army of job seekers - don't trip at the finish line due to lack of preparation.
Now, I don't want to scare you, but 70% of hiring managers report that failing to prepare is one of the most common mistakes they see in candidates during interviews. So, that means if you walk into an interview without researching the company or position and practicing some responses, you might as well just volunteer as a tribute in the Hunger Games of job employment.
It is also important to remember that almost half of employers (49%) make the decision on their candidate in the first five minutes of the interview, so your opening act needs to be more than a nervous handshake.
Imagine walking into a job interview as if you were a contestant on a game show and forgot to tell themselves the rules.. Sure, you have personality, but without preparation, your chances of winning are equivalent to guessing your way through the price of a blender while blindfolded.
The numbers don't lie: only 20% of applicants even make it to the interview stage out of an average of 118 people applying for the same job. If you've gotten this far, you have already outrun a small army of job seekers - don't trip at the finish line due to lack of preparation.
Now, I don't want to scare you, but 70% of hiring managers report that failing to prepare is one of the most common mistakes they see in candidates during interviews.
So, that means if you walk into an interview without researching the company or position and practicing some responses, you might as well just volunteer as a tribute in the Hunger Games of job employment.
It is also important to remember that almost half of employers (49%) make the decision on their candidate in the first five minutes of the interview, so your opening act needs to be more than a nervous handshake.
Arriving Late to a Job Interview
Imagine this: You have put together the best resume possible, you have sent it on the hair-raising journey through the application processes, you have secured the time for an interview and suddenly you have derailed the whole thing by arriving late, or ensuring that you scramble to log in just in the nick of time!
This may seem like a small mistake, but the truth is that for most interviewers tardiness is unforgivable. Research shows that a staggering 84% of interviewers say the worst thing a candidate can do is arrive late without a proper excuse and I don’t blame them—it places them in a very uncomfortable position! Yes, arriving late is worse than bad handshakes, nervous laughter, and socks that don’t match!
Now clearly it's one thing to arrive on time; but it's also about being respectful of the interviewers’ time and making a good first impression. 30% of hiring managers say they make up their mind about a candidate in the first 30 seconds of meeting them!
If you are self centred and completely overwhelmed by the thought of being late for your meeting and impose on the interviewers time to give a litany of excuses or worse, don't get to say anything as you scramble to get the technology working, you have done yourself a disservice before you have even sat down!
And then there is the virtual interview world in which logging in too late and fiddling with your camera and microphone can also be costly. Video calls are increasingly common when interviewing and over half of employers now include them in the process. In a virtual world, not checking your technology in advance is like showing up to a marathon not wearing your shoes.
Here is one last stat for you: 22% of interviewers say timeliness symbolizes a positive aspect; the other 78% expect it, which is even worse! Unless you are auditioning for the role of time-traveling superhero, you should aim to arrive a few minutes early—not 20 minutes, as 60% of employers argue amounting to poor time management.
Talking Too Much, or Not Enough
Have you ever felt like you’re either giving a TED Talk or playing a game of "yes or no" during the interview? Finding the right balance to share how much you say is so important - and it can be complicated!
In fact, communication is one of the top skills for employers, as 85% of businesses consider oral communication to be very important when hiring new graduates. However! Most applicants either talk too much or they go completely blank, which can really hurt your chances.
When you talk too much, especially if you are excited and talking fast, it can be easy for the interviewer to feel overwhelmed. It can also make you appear anxious or unfocused.
Research suggests the best cadence to speak is between 140 and 160 words per minute. Any faster than that, it might be hard for the interviewer to follow your answers, and they might struggle to keep up.
On the other hand, if you demonstrate a lack of interest or preparation by providing a very short, vague response to the questions, your interviewer will most likely quickly forget you.
Non-verbal indicators matter as well. Non-verbal communication will account for approximately 55% of interviews; therefore, if you are rambling, nervously, or sitting quietly, your body language is communicating the message.
Interviewers make decisions about candidates very quickly. In fact, 52% of interviewers will have formed an opinion on a candidate in the first 5–15 minutes, and in many cases, interviewers make a decision on a candidate in as little as 7 seconds to determine if they are a serious candidate.
So, what is a sweet spot? You want to have clear and concise responses that are supported by particulars, and don’t forget, you want to actively listen.
You should use the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to stay focused and relevant in your responses, and within all of this discussion, I must remind you - this is not a monologue or a guessing game - this is a conversation.
Making It All About You
If you think a job interview is the time for you to shine like the titular character in a coming-of-age movie, you're wrong. Certainly, it's important to have confidence, and to want to talk about things like salary, perks, or vacation days; but if you continually steer the conversation toward your wants—your needs—then quickly they will be turned off.
Talking too much about yourself or your needs and not enough about how you can create value for the company is a common `credibility-killer` in interviews. Remember, interviewers are looking for candidates who are team players, not superstars.
As if to prove that point, a study from Harvard University found that candidates who presented brief, concise, structured answers (rather than babbled about hobbies, sports interests or unrelated achievements) were perceived as more competent and intelligent to the interviewers.
Furthermore, 67% of employers report that failing to maintain sufficient eye contact-- a telltale sign of self-absorption or nervousness - was a major nonverbal blunder. This suggests your body language should show engagement as opposed to just self-promoting, but that can vary based on the audience.
A third mistake is oversharing personal information; when you discuss your family, personal struggles, or weekend hobbies, it seems unprofessional and distracts from your qualifications. Focus on experiences that relate to the company and how you can contribute to their goals.
One important statistic to remember is that 93% of hiring managers ask for "Tell me about yourself," but it is a brief, relevant summary they are looking for; not an autobiography—think elevator pitch.
Be careful not to make the entire interview about what the company can do for YOU, rather than what YOU can do for THEM: this may lead you to come off as entitled or unprepared.
Badmouthing Past Employers or Colleagues
While an opportunity to complain about your former boss or the coworker who continuously "borrow" your lunch can be very tempting, you really need to resist the temptation to vent!
Speaking poorly about former employers is among the most common mistakes to make in an interview, and depending on the severity of your comments, it could send you to the reject pile before you even make it out the door. Hiring managers see former negative comments as a sign that you could be a source of negativity or drama to their team.
Research shows that people are quick to judge interviewers: of those interviewed, 75% indicated that being negative about a past employment experience was either a huge red-flag or at least worrisome sign, so when talking about a past experiences, try to communicate what you took from a challenging situation and how it helped you develop professionally.
Employers want to see you demonstrate resilience and mature and not just a highlight reel of what someone else perceived as your workplace grievances.
Remember, the interviewer may be sitting next to you, wondering what you may say about them in the future, if things do not go well. Regardless, always keep your comments positive and professional, and when able pivot discussion to your skills and what you will be able to bring to the new role. Yes, every workplace has its challenges; but the way you speak about challenges says a great deal about your character.
Overusing Clichés and Boasting Without Substance
We’ve all heard the phrases before: “I am a team player,” “I always give 110%,” or “I’m a perfectionist” are the favorites. While these clichés may feel safe, they are the most sure-fire way to send your interviewer’s eyes glancing at his/her watch.
In fact, research shows that candidates who ramble or disassemble facts, use generic statements, or inflate their job titles or responsibilities in the act, are perceived as less competent and less trustworthy. Interviewers want specific examples, not empty buzzwords.
Over-exaggerating is equally as dangerous. Research shows that hiring managers can identify exaggeration within mere seconds of hearing it, and people who boast or brag about their achievements consistently are often perceived as arrogant and in some cases dishonest.
Instead of saying, “I was the highest performing sales executive in my company,” try providing a measurable result: “I was able to increase client retention of 27% over one year, the highest in my department.” Confidence is attractive, as long as it is not being expressed in fantasy land.
The best communicators remain succinct and clear in their responses using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to create structured and relevant answers.
If you are able to limit your answers relatively to 90 seconds and allow your verifiable accomplishments to do the talking, you will exude the confidence and sincerity of competence.
Ignoring Professional Boundaries (or Your Phone)
You may think that taking a quick look at your phone during an interview isn't problematic, but hiring managers don't feel the same way. In a recent survey from LinkedIn, half (50%) of hiring managers cited checking your phone during an interview in the top mistakes—along with showing up late or using inappropriate language.
Being distracted or appearing disengaged with something else, such as your phone, or zoning out signals one clear thing: you aren't fully invested in the opportunity in front of you.
Boundaries are important to consider in professional settings in ways that are beyond just putting your phone away. Showing disinterest or disconnect was noted by 51% of hiring managers in the survey as a huge eyesore, while speaking more casually/too personal can be a bit awkward and unprofessional. Employers also want to see that you respect the interview process and can engage appropriately.
Given the number of available good candidates that are often in the market, any lapse in professionalism could lead to you missing out on the job opportunity.
Your interviewer is not your friend, therapist, or social media follower; they are evaluating if you could be the right fit for their team. So silence your phone, maintain eye contact, and keep the conversation focused. You'll be remembered for all the right reasons.
Forgetting to Ask Questions or Show Interest
You've survived the tough questions, navigated the cliche minefield of interview questions, and finally kept the phone in your pocket. You've answered the toughest questions, now you can sit back, or that's what you think until the interviewer asks you the dreaded question, "Do you have any questions for us?" When you hear that question and your mind goes blank, or you just shrug and say, "No, I think I am good." You have just passed on an opportunity, and probably the job.
Not asking questions is a red flag for 90% of hiring managers who consider the fact you did not ask questions a signal that you lack curiosity or real interest in the role. Think about it, saying no questions makes you seem unprepared, or at least disengaged even if you dazzled them in every other part of the interview.
According to recent research, candidates who asked insightful questions about the culture, team dynamics, or growth opportunities at the company were 30% more likely to be remembered positively by interviewers. This is your opportunity to demonstrate that you are not just looking for any job, you are looking for this job.
But, the importance of the right questions isn’t simply the fact that we should ask them. You really want to stay away from salary, benefits, and vacation questions—especially in the first interview. Nearly one quarter of employers (24%) lose candidates when salary expectations are not discussed in the proper time frame, but if you raise it too early, it may indicate you are more concerned with the pay than the position.
Stay on track, and ask questions that show you have done your homework. You can ask questions about the company's values, recent projects, or what success looks like in the position. This shows contemplation and interest.
Also, do not forget, the interview is a two-way street. You evaluate them as much as they evaluate you. Employers see candidates that engage with thoughtful questions as more confident, invested, and better fits for the team. If you are worried about what to ask, you can think of three to five questions you can ask in case your top questions get answered earlier in the conversation.
So, the next time the interviewer is ready to turn the table, do not simply grin and nod, respond with notes of genuine curiosity. It could be the difference between "we are considering other candidates" and receiving an offer.
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Disclaimer – This post is intended for informative purposes only, and the names of companies and brands used, if any, in this blog are only for reference. Please refer our terms and conditions for more info. Images credit: Freepik, AI tools.
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