Interviews can be nerve-wracking. You’ve got to make a great impression and answer questions on the spot, and sometimes it feels like your dream job is on the line. It’s easy to slip up when the pressure is on. But the good news is, that many common interview mistakes are totally avoidable if you prepare in advance.
In this post, we’ll walk through some of the most frequent interview missteps and how you can avoid them—so you can go into your next interview feeling confident and ready.
1. Not Researching the Company
One of the biggest mistakes candidates make is not doing enough research on the company. Interviewers expect you to know the basics—like what the company does, who their competitors are, and any recent news about the business. If you can’t answer the question, “Why do you want to work here?” it’s a red flag.
Example: Imagine you’re interviewing for a role at a tech startup, and the interviewer asks, “What do you think of our latest product update?” If you’ve done your research, you can mention specific features that stood out to you. If not, you might stumble through an awkward answer—and that’s not a good look.
How to avoid it: Spend at least an hour researching the company before your interview. Look at their website, social media, and any recent press releases. Jot down some key points about their products, services, culture, and goals. This way, when the topic comes up, you’re ready to impress.
2. Talking Too Much (or Too Little)
It’s important to strike a balance when answering questions. Talking too much can make you seem unfocused while saying too little can give the impression that you’re not interested or engaged. You don’t need to tell your life story when answering a question, but you should give enough detail to show that you understand the question and can back it up with examples.
Example: If the interviewer asks, “Tell me about a time you overcame a challenge,” you don’t need to give a 10-minute play-by-play of your entire project. Instead, briefly explain the situation, the challenge, and how you solved it. On the flip side, don’t just say, “I had a challenge at work, and I fixed it.” That’s too vague!
How to avoid it: Practice answering common interview questions before the big day. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses. This helps you stay focused and ensures you’re providing enough detail without going overboard.
3. Not Preparing for Common Questions
Certain interview questions are almost guaranteed to come up, like “Tell me about yourself,” “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” and “Why do you want this job?” Not being prepared for these is a missed opportunity to showcase your strengths. When you hesitate or give a generic answer, it can make you seem unprepared.
Example: Let’s say the interviewer asks, “What’s your biggest weakness?” and you say, “I work too hard.” This is a cliché answer, and interviewers have heard it a thousand times. Instead, you could say something more authentic, like, “I used to struggle with delegating tasks, but I’ve learned to trust my team more and communicate clearly to ensure projects get done.”
How to avoid it: Spend time preparing answers to common interview questions. Think about your past experiences, and come up with specific examples that highlight your skills and growth. This will make you feel more confident when these questions inevitably come up.
4. Not Asking Questions at the End
When the interviewer asks, “Do you have any questions for us?” don’t say no! This is your chance to show you’re genuinely interested in the role and the company. Asking thoughtful questions can leave a strong impression and help you stand out.
Example: Instead of asking, “How soon can I expect to hear back?” (which can make you seem too focused on the outcome), ask something like, “What do you see as the biggest challenge for someone in this role over the next six months?” This shows you’re already thinking about how you can contribute to the company’s success.
How to avoid it: Prepare a list of questions in advance. You could ask about the company culture, upcoming projects, or opportunities for growth and development. Having 3-5 questions ready will show that you’re engaged and eager to learn more about the company.
5. Being Late (or Too Early)
Showing up late to an interview is an obvious no-go, but did you know arriving too early can also be a problem? If you show up more than 10-15 minutes early, it might put pressure on the interviewer to rush their schedule. It’s all about timing.
Example: You arrive 30 minutes early for your interview, and the receptionist tells the interviewer. Now, the interviewer feels like they have to hurry to accommodate you, which can start the interview on the wrong foot.
How to avoid it: Aim to arrive 10-15 minutes before your scheduled interview time. If you’re really early, wait in a nearby café or in your car until it’s closer to the time. This way, you’ll still be punctual without putting pressure on the interviewer.
6. Focusing Too Much on Salary (Too Soon)
While it’s important to know if the job will meet your financial needs, bringing up salary too early can make it seem like you’re only in it for the money. Employers want to see that you’re interested in the role and the company—not just the paycheck.
Example: If your first question in the interview is, “How much does this position pay?” it can be off-putting to the interviewer. They may wonder if you’re truly invested in the job or just looking for the highest bidder.
How to avoid it: Wait until the interviewer brings up salary or benefits, usually in a later stage of the interview process. If they don’t mention it, it’s perfectly fine to ask about compensation once you’ve been offered the job or when they’re ready to make a decision.
7. Being Dishonest
It can be tempting to exaggerate your skills or experience to land a job, but honesty is always the best policy. If you lie about your qualifications, it will likely come back to bite you later—either during the interview process or once you’re on the job. Employers value transparency and authenticity, so it’s better to admit when you don’t know something rather than make something up.
Example: The interviewer asks if you have experience with a certain software, and you say yes, even though you’ve never used it. Later, when they ask you to elaborate, you stumble through an explanation. This could cost you the job.
How to avoid it: Be honest about your skills and experience. If you don’t know something, say so, but follow up with how you’re willing to learn. For example, “I haven’t worked with that specific software, but I’ve used similar tools and can pick it up quickly.”
8. Forgetting to Follow Up
After an interview, it’s important to follow up with a thank-you email. It’s a simple gesture that shows your appreciation for the interviewer’s time and keeps you top of mind as they make their decision.
Example: You had a great interview, but two weeks go by, and you don’t hear anything. By not following up, you’ve missed an opportunity to remind the interviewer of your interest and enthusiasm for the role.
How to avoid it: Send a brief thank-you email within 24 hours of your interview. Mention something specific from the interview that you enjoyed discussing and reiterate your excitement about the role. This can help set you apart from other candidates who didn’t follow up.
Final Thoughts
Interviews can be intimidating, but with the right preparation, you can avoid common mistakes and show employers that you’re the best fit for the job. By researching the company, preparing thoughtful answers, and practicing active listening, you’ll walk into your next interview with confidence. Remember, interviews are a two-way street—they’re not just evaluating you, but you’re also evaluating them. So take your time, stay authentic, and ask questions that matter to you. You’ve got this!
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