7 Job Interview Mistakes Job Seekers Think Will Cost Them The Job But Won’t

Putting into consideration all the advices you have read about when it comes interviews, you would think that you are supposed to be the most perfect job seeker. The truth is that mistakes happen and just because you think that you performed horribly at your last interview, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you don’t get considered for the job.

It not like you are walking on egg shells. Interviewers are human beings too and they too like you were once on that side of the table.

If they have chosen you, it’s because you have something they are looking for that other applicants didn’t have. So don’t stress too much about it. Here are common interview mistakes that we often think cost us a job but they don’t.

Related: 5 Things Interviewers Notice When They Meet You 

Interview Mistakes Job Seekers Lose Sleep Over

1. Asking to reschedule and interview

Most job seekers think that asking to reschedule an interview is the end of it. An employer won’t think lowly of you just because you can make it to an interview that day. Things come up and you don’t have to stretch yourself beyond where you can reach just because you want to impress someone.

If you are sick or something comes up that prevents you from attending the interview, just explain that to the recruiter without digging into too much details.

The same goes for calls. An interviewer will often call you first to invite you for an interview. If you cannot speak at the moment just request to call them back later on.

Related: 5 Smart Tips On How To Reschedule An Interview 

2. Asking to know which job you are applying for

In this age and era, it is common for you to apply to more than one job at the same company and recruiters are aware of this fact. When the interviewer calls probably to talk about the position you applied, don’t be afraid to ask which position they are talking about.

You need to understand the job in order to better market yourself, your skills and expertise.

3. Arriving late

In a more ideal universe, we would all love it if we arrived 20 minutes before an interview. But this ideal universe is miles away from the Nairobi traffic – just saying.

If you think you will not make it in time for an interview, call at least 20 minutes before and explain this to the interviewer.

The biggest mistake you can make is to just walk in without an excuse thinking that nobody will notice that you are 30 minutes late.

4. Forgetting the question that was asked

According to Ms. Carolyne Kariuki, a recruiter in Nairobi, it is normal to get nervous at a job interview and forget the question tasked. Don’t panic about this and think that you have desperately murdered your chances of getting the job.

Just compose yourself, smile and ask the interviewer to repeat the question again.

5. Oops! Disclosing a real weakness

I am sure you have attended an interview where you are asked “Tell me about your greatest weakness.”

Most job seekers think that is cool to talk about those lame weaknesses such as, “I concentrate too much on one thing till it’s done,’

In this age, let me tell you that no recruiter will fall for such. This will even ruin your chance more than disclosing your real weaknesses. You could talk about a real weakness related to the job that has been a challenge to you and how you have worked on it.

6. Asking a lot of questions

Most job seekers perceive an interview as a sort of interrogation booth. It doesn’t have to be. Make it a conversation where both you and the interviewer get to know more about each other. Asking too many questions has never hurt anyone. In fact, it will be a plus on your side.

Well, unless you deviate from the interview and start asking questions that are in no way related to the job or the company.

7. Overdressing

Just because you are interviewing for a job that requires you to dress in jeans and t-shirts doesn’t mean that you have blown your chances just because you showed up in a three piece.

In fact, it communicates the opposite – that you are a composed serious individual who takes things they do seriously.

In a nutshell

If you are seated there, thinking to yourself, “Oh my God, I blew it.” Don’t be too hard on yourself. It not like you killed someone and an interview call might be the next call you receive.

Related: Top 4 Interview Myths You Need To Ignore As A Job Seeker

Lilian Wamaitha is a Communications and Digital Marketing Officer at Career Point Kenya. Contact her via lilian@www.careerpointkenya.co.ke. Click here to like us on Facebook.