Personal History
5 Job Interview Mistakes to Avoid to Get the Job
Whether you are looking for a part-time job while studying or looking for a graduate position afterwards, you will likely go through an interview. It is surprising by the number of applicants that go through the same job interview mistakes – and thinking about it, I have made them in the past. Here are some of the more common mistakes provided by the experts from how to find answers to homework worksheets service to make sure you avoid them to increase the chances of getting the job.
Mistake #1: Wearing the Wrong Clothes
Smart wear is essential for an interview. It shows that you are professional and suitable for the role. While you want to add your own personality, avoid overdoing it and dress more conservatively than you would usually. You want to leave a good lasting impression and not the “what was she wearing” impression. Think about the shoes you will wear, the outfit and the way your hair will be styled. All of these will be looked at. At a graduate position I gained shortly after leaving university, one of the girls commented on the shoes that I was wearing on the day. She didn’t know me at all during my interview but took note of the shoes that I was wearing!
Mistake #2: Showing Off Piercings and Tattoos
While an employer cannot discriminate against someone for their tattoos or piercings, you have to think about the impression they give. It is a sad thought – I have tattoos – that our personal choices affect the way people see us but it happens. Just work with the system and keep them covered up. Once you have the role, you can find out the policy for piercings and tattoos and then decide whether to show them off or keep them covered. Some positions state that they must be covered for clinical or hygiene reasons.
Mistake #3: Not Researching the Company
The employer already knows a lot about you and your qualifications from your CV. The interview is to find out whether you will fit with the company. The best way to determine that is by doing your research to find out everything the company offers. You need to know the type of projects it is working on and the clients or customers it serves. The more you know, the better you will be able to answer the questions.
Too many people attend an interview thinking it is a chance to tell the employer more about them. At one interview I had, it was all about my testing protocol and why I wrote certain answers in a test at a previous stage of the process. That was a way to determine how I would fit in with the testing team at the company and to make sure I had a logical thinking pattern to help make sure the company’s developments worked correctly.
Mistake #4: Not Asking Your Own Questions
This is also a chance to find out more about the company and the role that you will be undertaking. I’ve once left an interview wishing that I’d asked more but the questions never came to me at the time. Think about your questions before you go and write them down; having a notepad with the questions shows that you want to make sure the job is a fit for you and that you will fit in with the company.
Mistake #5: Not Putting Your Phone on Silent
Nothing is more important than your interview at this moment in time. Texts and phonecalls can wait for the 30(ish) minutes that you are speaking to your potential employer. Put your phone on silent or just turn it off altogether so that you are not interrupted during your interview. You won’t be able to use the phone while at work anyway so why expect to use it during the interview?
Avoid as many job interview mistakes as you possibly can. Think about the answers you give and leave with giving the best impression. This increases your chance of gaining the job, whether it is a part-time position or a full-time graduate roll.
More resources:
BEFORE OUR CLASSES BEGIN: A CHECKLIST
Best Advice I`ve Ever Received (when applying to grad schools)