How To Fail A Job Interview – Mistakes To Avoid

By Lisa Osiako

I once attended a job interview where I thought speaking up would get me the position. When asked about why my CV had employment gaps, I answered truthfully, stating what I had been doing during the gap period. I walked out of the room feeling like I had nailed it. However, a week later I got feedback from the interview. I did not get the job. Looking back, I realize that in as much as I answered the questions truthfully, I kept on talking and what I said did not make sense to the recruiter.

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Have you found yourself in a similar situation?

First impressions are important. As such, any little thing you do may give a recruiter the impression that you are fragile or lack the confidence.

Here is a full list of mistakes you should never commit:

A limp handshake – First impressions count more than many professionals think. A weak handshake is one of the most common interview issues, with many candidates giving off the impression that they’re fragile and unconfident based on their handshake.

Chewing gum – A surprising number of job applicants chew gum during their interviews, including many experienced professionals. Without knowing, this lowers your chances of being accepted for your dream job.

Ignoring the dress code – High heels, too much makeup and unusual attire send the wrong impression during job interviews. As well as unprofessional clothing, outdated or overly trendy clothing can affect your first impression and ruin an interview.

Work history issues – Employers are understanding of work history gaps. However, some of the comments you make about your work history can make you seem like a less desirable employee.

Poor presentation – It’s not just clothing that affects presentation – posture, grooming and behaviour all have an impact. Small mistakes like sitting with your bag on your laps could send a bad impression to your interviewer.

Answering the phone – It might seem like obvious smartphone etiquette to switch your phone off before an interview, but you may forget to. Letting your phone ring in an interview – particularly if you stop to answer it – is one of the most serious interview mistakes.

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Poor body language – Posture and body language have a huge impact on the way interviewers view your skills, confidence and competence. Slumped shoulders and excessive fidgeting are considered two of the biggest body language-related interview mistakes.

Unusual comments – Unusual, unnecessary comments – such as comments about a reception area being very busy or quiet – can change an interviewer’s perception of you. You may realize that you fail the job interview before it even begins.

Rude behaviour – Rude, noisy or arrogant behaviour is another cause of many interviews going wrong before they even start. Along with any of the problems listed above, a bad attitude is often all it takes to change a possible “yes” into a definite “no”.

In Conclusion,

To make a positive impression, politeness is the key. This, however, does not mean being quiet and introverted.

Strive to be memorable and an outgoing individual. Stand up straight, give a good handshake and look like you mean business.