HOW TO AVOID COMMON INTERVIEW MISTAKES

There’s no such thing as a perfect interview. No matter how well you’ve prepared, or how confident you are, little slip-ups and snafus are to be expected. Little mistakes don’t have to ruin your chances of scoring great food and beverage industry jobs though! Interviewers are humans too, and they’re not expecting a flawless candidate.

That said, it’s smart to do all you can to be fully prepared for a job interview. Whether you’re heading off to the first interview you landed from Foodemployment.com’s food job board or you’ve been to several already, you can learn from your own mistakes – and the mistakes of others – so that you’re putting your best foot forward.

Check out this list of some of the most common mistakes people make when interviewing for food industry jobs. These are often make-or-break mistakes, so while smaller slip-ups might be forgiven, these should definitely be avoided.

1. Being Late

This should be an obvious one, but too many potential candidates arrive late and think that they have a good excuse for their tardiness. There is no good excuse for being late. Look up directions to the interview ahead of time, and even do a practice drive to make sure you know exactly where you’re going.

On the day of the interview, give yourself plenty of time to dress, prepare and arrive early. Some recruiters even suggest giving yourself twice the amount of time needed so that you have a moment to catch your breath, collect your thoughts and, check your appearance. Check in with the receptionist at least ten minutes before you are due in case there is paperwork to sign or forms to fill out.

2. Forgetting the Interviewer’s Name

Your interviewer has gone to the trouble of knowing and remembering your name throughout the interview. You should do the same. You can often prepare beforehand (when scheduling your interview) by asking the names of anyone who will be interviewing you. Review the names and write them down if necessary. When you arrive and meet each one, address them by name as they introduce themselves so you’ll remember who is who.

3. Lack of Preparation

Or more importantly, lack of GOOD preparation. You might be able to answer any question about yourself, but have you properly researched the interviewer and company (or the food and beverage production niche) that you’re interviewing for? If you don’t know much about the company, how do you hope to persuade the employer that you’ll be a good fit?

You absolutely must be prepared to offer strong answers to any questions that might be asked about your experience and job history; however, it’s just as important to be prepared with specific research on the company, your interviewers and the position you are aspiring to. Try checking out Glassdoor.com to learn more about the company/organization recruitment process and also try to find your interviewers’ profile on LinkedIn (if known in advance). Always look for commonality with the interviewers, similar interests, experience, education, employers etc. Perhaps you graduated from the same university, belong to the same association or maybe worked for the same company in the past. This is a great way to establish rapport and break the ice with your interviewer and will send a message that you’re serious about the position/company and you did your homework in advance.

4. Choking on a Tough Question

Interviewers are going to ask tough questions, so don’t be surprised. It’s ok to take a moment to collect your thoughts, but if you go completely blank and can’t answer at all, that’s a big red flag to any employer. Employers are looking for people who can think on their feet, people who can roll with the punches and not get frazzled.

Realize that you are going to face tough questions like, “Where do you see yourself in five years?” and, “What’s your biggest weakness?” Practice answering these tough questions so that you’re prepared to handle them gracefully.

5. Lack of Enthusiasm

An employer is looking for a candidate who is excited and enthusiastic about the opportunity. Maybe you see the job as little more than a stepping stone to something better; but don’t let that show. Demonstrate your interest in the industry and your enthusiasm for the job being offered.

6. Skimping on the References

Many job candidates assume that references aren’t really necessary. Some have even said that “no one contacts references anyway.” While a company might not use your references, it’s still your job to provide them.

The fact is, you might never hear that your references were contacted. If a potential employer wants to find out about your job history, they shouldn’t have to go on a wild goose chase to do so. Make sure that you include at least three strong, reliable references with current contact information, including phone numbers and email addresses.

7. Not Asking Questions

An interviewer will almost always wrap up by asking if you have any questions. You instantly lower your hiring potential if you don’t have any. Coming without a single question shows that you’ve done little preparation and that you’re uninterested in the job.

This goes back to preparation. Do a little research on the company and prepare a few thoughtful questions to show that you’re interested. Listen closely throughout the interview as well, and ask about anything that was unclear.