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Ten common interview missteps and how to avoid them
Setting yourself up for a successful interview
Bad interviews—many of us have experienced at least one, right?
It happens to everyone at one point or another. You forget to set your alarm. Your laptop battery dies minutes before the time your virtual interview is scheduled. You didn’t prepare specific questions about the role. And when the interview starts, you realize your more articulate side was left home that day.
Although it can be a painful experience in the moment, there are things you can do to prevent another subpar interview from happening again. Our recruiting professionals offer ten quick tips to help:
- Lack of preparation
Misstep: Even if you feel confident about the interview and believe you know how you will answer any potential questions, failing to prepare can be a critical error.
Solution: Carve out some time alone to reflect on what you want to get out of the interview. Make sure you have researched the organization and the position itself. Preparation helps you feel more confident and reduces anxiety. Make sure you’re prepared to talk through how your skills and experience translate to the job description.
- Poor first Impressions
Misstep: Arriving late or not having a polished image can create a negative first impression.
Solution: Aim to arrive at least 10-15 minutes early (even for a virtual interview). Additionally, consider your clothing and appearance. There is not a one-size-fits-all approach to this. Start by understanding what people in the industry typically wear for work, or dress in business casual. Having a polished image can show potential employers that you care about the impression you make.
According to Monica Nelson, campus recruiting specialist, Deloitte Services LP, “There can be a lot that feels out of your control in the recruitment process, but there are things that you can control. Owning those pieces, such as keeping your resume up-to-date and dressing for success, can make a huge difference.”
- Oversharing or being too casual
Misstep: Sharing too much personal information or adopting a too-casual attitude can detract from your professionalism.
Solution: Frame your responses so that the recruiter or interviewer can visualize you in the role, adding value to the team and organization. Keep the focus on how your skills, experiences, and capabilities align with the job description.
- Not listening carefully
Misstep: Being too quick to respond without fully understanding the question (or cutting off the interviewer) can lead to incomplete or off-target answers.
Solution: Listen carefully to each question. Pause after a question is asked to ensure you understand it. Ask for clarification if you don’t. This shows attentiveness and thoughtfulness. There’s nothing wrong with asking an interviewer to repeat the question.
- Rambling or going off-topic
Misstep: Providing long-winded answers that stray from the question asked can make you appear unprepared.
Solution: Respond confidently and concisely. Make sure you answer the question fully and succinctly. If it takes you five minutes to answer any one question, you may appear to be struggling to communicate a response and could appear unfocused. Relax and answer the question to the best of your ability. After you’ve answered it, stop talking and give the interviewer an opportunity to ask the next question (sometimes silence is a good thing – it can mean the interviewer is taking notes).
- Failing to bring your resume to life
Misstep: Not being able to discuss your resume in detail or embellishing it can undermine your credibility.
Solution: Study your resume to see what stories, anecdotes, or data points you might highlight that relate to the position for which you are applying. Don’t embellish or lie on your resume. “A common mistake that I’ve seen with candidates is that they say they have certain skills, but they don’t convey that in the interview because they weren’t prepared with specific examples,” says Bryce Turkheimer, campus recruiting specialist, Deloitte Services LP.
- Lack of interest or enthusiasm
Misstep: Appearing disinterested or unenthusiastic about the role or the organization.
Solution: Show genuine enthusiasm for the opportunity. It’s a simple question, but interviewers often ask candidates why they are interested in working at their organization. Having an answer prepared is good practice. Express why you are excited about the role and how it aligns with your career goals. Enthusiasm can be contagious and leave a positive impression.
- Overlooking non-verbal communication
Misstep: Ignoring the importance of non-verbal cues such as eye contact, facial expressions, and posture.
Solution: Be mindful of your non-verbal communication. If possible, maintain eye contact, smile, and use open body language to help convey confidence and engagement. If there are physical or neurological factors that may influence how you are able to present yourself physically and some of our recommendations don’t work for you, think about other ways you can authentically demonstrate your confidence and engagement. We also recognize that eye contact isn't easy for everyone, and some individuals may find it hard to make or maintain eye contact. What's important is to bring forth your authentic self in a focused, attentive, and responsive way.
- Inadequate responses to interview questions
Misstep: Providing vague or generic answers to interview questions without specific examples.
Solution: Use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to structure your responses. This approach helps you provide clear, concise, and relevant examples from your past experiences. (Check out our behavioral interview tips for more guidance)
- Not asking questions
Misstep: Not asking any questions or asking questions that could have been easily answered through basic research.
Solution: Prepare a short list of thoughtful questions that demonstrate your interest in the role and the organization. This will show that you've done your homework and are eager to learn more.
Conclusion
Preparing and practicing for an interview is one of the best ways to avoid feeling flustered or anxious about the process. Each interview is an opportunity to build your professional network, showcase your skills, and assess if the organization aligns with your career goals. Remember: don’t be afraid to brag about yourself! If you’ve been invited to the interview process, you’re there for a reason and this is your time to shine. Good luck on your next interview!
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