5 Interview Habits That Always Make You Forgettable

One of our audience recently approached and asked me the difference between an ordinary candidate and just an average one.  My answer was simple; there is no difference simply because neither of them will be getting the job.

If you have attended an interview before, you know better not to answer your phone or be rude to the interviewer.

But what most of us don’t realize is that these are not the only behaviors that would send you straight to the reject pile.

So, if you’ve attended several interviews that don’t get past that stage, what are you doing that is costing your chances?

1. You never ask questions

If you are a job seeker who always says “No I don’t have any questions. I think I have understood everything from the interview” truth be told, this is making you lose the job opportunity.

Without realizing it you are making yourself forgettable. You are not leaving an impression that the interviewer would like to know you better by offering you the job. In other words, you are not raising their curiosity.

Avoid walking to an interview room without any questions for the interviewer. An interview is not supposed to be an interrogation but a discussion between two professionals on your suitability for the position.

Have at least two or three questions that are related to the role and the company because then again you don’t want the interview to seem like you are the one interviewing your potential employer with your many questions.

2. You recite your answers

Becoming nervous when attending an interview is completely normal. But that does not mean that you cram all answers to common interview questions because you don’t want to give the wrong answer.

The interviewer has interviewed so many people who have all sat where you are sitting. They have heard all manner of answers and what will make you stand out is your approach to answering the questions.

You don’t have to memorize anything. Instead, give your story while still answering the question. This way you make yourself unforgettable and well on your way to getting that offer.

3. You use a lot of cliché words that you never back up

If you have been looking for a job for a long time now, it’s only natural that you already know the kind of skills an employer is looking for in a certain position.

Therefore, telling them that you are hard-working, motivated and a team player may seem like a smart move but it’s not.

Being an organized team player is okay, only if the interviewer believes that you are what you claim to be. And the only way you can make that happen is if you back up your claim with real examples.

Before you go for the interview, have a list of the skills that you think the employer is looking for, and then from your previous work experience, find how you can back up those skills.

“I single-handedly managed an event for 700 people” sounds more impressive than “I organized a big event”.

4. You are polite rather than friendly

As a job seeker, you are aware that appearing competent in the interview is the surest way of securing that job. But what you may not know is that appearing likable is just as important.

When you build rapport with the interviewer, you are ensuring that you stay on their mind during the decision-making process.

A majority of the time, the person interviewing you will most likely be your future line manager or someone you will closely work with so it’s just as important to them that they pick a candidate who they believe will be a good addition to the team.

So, keep smiling, crack jokes and if you find out that you have something in common with the interviewer, jump on that opportunity.

5. You have no interesting hobbies

One of the battles you have to win when making any application is standing out. Some cool and unusual hobbies elicit interest and can be great conversation starters.

A lot of job seekers, including you, however, think that mentioning non-work-related hobbies in an interview is unprofessional.

Employers and interviewers are people too and a candidate who lets it slip that they do stand-up comedy during their free time is much more memorable than one who doesn’t allow a ray of their personality to shine.

Conclusion

When it comes to interviews, the person who wins at last and gets the job is the unforgettable one. You may have all the qualifications, be the best fit for the job, and still not hear back from them. Leave an impression by creating rapport with the interviews because as I mentioned earlier most likely that is the person you will be reporting to either directly or indirectly.

Additionally, seeking professional interview coaching could also be a great way to improve your interviewing skills and increase your chances of making a lasting impression on your potential employer. With the help of a professional coach, you can identify your strengths and weaknesses, learn how to answer difficult questions and gain confidence in your ability to communicate effectively during the interview process.