Getting ready to enter the world of work requires some effort but it’s well worth it when you land the perfect job. You need a high quality CV, a strong motivational letter and some good references behind your name. Thereafter, you get to contact recruiters, sift through job posts, and ace the interview before eventually meeting with your potential employer. Avoid these 8 common interview mistakes to secure your spot in the runnings of your dream job.
Once you have secured an interview with a company, you no longer need to worry about whether you have the right qualifications. You would not have made it this far if you were not qualified. Now you need to ensure that you have done thorough research on the company, and are well prepared for the interview.
When it comes to interviewing for remote or hybrid roles, a lot of the same principles apply, although there are one or two other dynamics to consider such as remote workspace options or what the ‘hybrid’ agreement is (e.g. does it include flexibility?). Below we discuss a couple of common interview mistakes you want to avoid.
1. Dress appropriately
While tattoos, long beards and dyed blue hair are no longer considered taboo in some workplaces, especially creative ones, you are still expected to be presentable and look professional for a job interview. Neatening your hair and making sure you look polished is still on the table, even in creative industries.
The best way to ensure that you are dressed appropriately for an interview is to ask your recruiter for guidance. Unless it is a creative environment where casual attire is the norm, they are most likely to recommend smart attire. Remember, you are not going to class, you are being formally introduced to a potential employer, so first impressions are important.
Whether your interview is being conducted online or in person, make sure you are dressed appropriately and look presentable to the interviewer. This shows that you are taking it seriously and shows that you are a professional.
READ: Dressing For An Interview
2. Be punctual
The worst thing you can do is to keep an employer or recruiter waiting at a job interview. To avoid being late, make sure that you leave home well in advance or sign in early to test your tech. Make sure your microphone, video and headphones are working before you begin the interview. If you are making use of public transport it might be safer to give yourself at least an hour head start, to account for any delays and traffic jams. Rather be a lot earlier than even a little late.
Make sure that you know the exact location of the company if you are commuting. Ask your recruiter to send you the location, enter it into Google maps, and get the exact directions ahead of time. It’s better to arrive early and go over your notes, than have an employer waiting on you. If, however, you have no control over the situation, call the employer or recruiter in advance to let them know that you will be running late. Get some more interview transport planning tips from the article below.
READ: 5 Things To Do Before An Interview
3. Stay on topic
When answering questions, always try to link it back to why you are the right candidate for the job. Going off topic will make you seem distracted and unprepared. If the interviewer asks about previous student jobs and volunteer work you’ve done, explain what skills you gained and how the experience shaped your values, which you will bring to the new job. If you are asked about a time you failed at something, connect it to lessons learned that will help you perform your new role. Emphasizing the same message will make you sound focused to the interviewer.
4. Keep it professional, not personal
At some point during the interview, you will be asked a personal question. In South Africa, it is illegal for companies to ask questions about your religion, marital status and family planning. They might, however, make a statement alluding to these topics. For example: “most of our employees are single and childless, would you be happy to work in this environment?” As the question is off topic, it might throw you off and you could end up answering the question by giving away too much information. If a personal topic is raised you can mention how your main focus right now is starting your career.
5. Don’t be afraid of the questions, be honest
It is quite normal to be nervous during an interview. Take time to collect your thoughts before answering every question, it will show the interviewer that you are sincere. Prepare a list of possible interview questions and your answers before attending the interview. It will allow you to formulate more eloquent answers to the standard questions, affording you more time to answer the tough questions during the interview. Read this article on six possible questions employers might ask in an interview.
6. Don’t become to familiar with the interviewer
Your interviewer might crack a joke to break the ice, she/he might even compliment you on what you are wearing. That does not mean you should become overly familiar with them. It is important that you remain professional at all times, and remember that an interview is a formal meeting. If the interviewer mentions something informal, you still need to use formal language and keep your tone friendly, but never sarcastic or facetious. There are certain things you should never say during an interview, read more about this in the article below.
7. Keep your confidence
During the interview, you need to remain confident at all times. The interviewer could say something to unnerve you, but you need to remain gracious throughout the meeting. You are welcome to ask the interviewer to repeat the question. Remember to be aware of your facial expressions and body language, as those are clear indications of whether you are feeling confident or not.
8. End the interview well
Many candidates walk away from the interview feeling confused about how it went. At the end of the interview, reiterate your interest in the job and thank the interviewer for their time. Don’t be afraid to ask them about the next steps as it further establishes your interest and commitment to the job, and you will walk away with a better sense of how the interview went.
When you are invited to an interview the recruiter knows that you are qualified, but they want to get a better sense of who you are. The importance of preparation cannot be stressed enough. If you are well prepared, you will feel more confident and fewer mistakes will be made. Truth be told, the easiest way to avoid making these common mistakes, is to be honest and to be yourself.
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