Have an interview coming up? Behaviours to avoid

You’ve made it to the interview stage – congratulations! While applying for jobs can be a daunting

task, the interview stage can cause anxiety in the most confident of people. Being aware of some

common interview blunders will help you better prepare and feel more confident during your

meeting. Here are the top 10 things to avoid in an interview:

1. Being domineering

In most conversations, someone will take the lead. When a conversation is natural, the

leader will often change. If you take the lead the entire interview, then your interviewer

might wonder if you’re naturally domineering, which might create questions of how you will

work with others. People are looking for team players.

2. Watching the clock

Isn’t it annoying when someone constantly watches the clock? In an interview, this is

especially distracting and may come across as rude. You need to show that you’re serious

about the role, and constantly checking the time might make your interviewer wonder if you

are.

3. Being unprepared

Do your homework before you show up at the interview. Not knowing anything about the

company or the role you’re interviewing for will not reflect on you positively. Make sure you

can answer these questions:

1. What does the company do?

2. Where is the company heading?

3. What are they trying to do?

If you know who your interviewer is, do some research on their background. Having an

understanding of the role you’re interviewing for is also important.

4. Not listening

Failing to listen in an interview is the surest way to make it sink. Make sure that you listen to

the questions; this will make your responses relevant and you’ll be engaged.

5. Not keeping conversation topical

If you have strong views on a specific topic, you might get easily distracted and wrapped up

in it. Make sure you’re aware of whether topics are truly relevant to this interview. If not,

stop talking about it. It’s a waste of time and counter-productive.

6. Showing up late

Imagine if you were a recruiter, and someone showed up late to an interview. Would you

believe that they really wanted the job? Being late will only reflect poorly on you, especially

if the role you’re interviewing for needs organisational skills and punctuality.

7. Criticizing former employers

Never speak badly of former employers; it will make you look bad, not them. Your

interviewer is concerned about your potential future at their company, and speaking poorly

of your old company will make them wonder if you would do the same to them. They

already know you want to leave your current job since you’re in an interview – they don’t

need the details.

8. Picking up your mobile

Always make sure your mobile is switched off before an interview. Having it ring is

disrespectful, and it will again indicate that you might not be serious about the role. Make

sure you remain respectful of your interviewer at all times. Answering a ringing phone

indicates the opposite.

9. Showcasing your funny side

You don’t know what type of person your interviewer is, so you never know what could

offend them. It is an uncomfortable situation to be in when someone who is trying to be

funny just isn’t. Don’t make any jokes that could be taken as sexist, cruel, racist, or

discriminatory.

10. Having a one-way talk

Don’t talk non-stop. There aren’t many people who want to be talked at, and the point of an

interview is to engage in a two-way conversation.

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