The most common mistakes at a job interview and how to avoid them – part two

The job interview is one of the most important parts of finding a new job. If your CV catches the recruiter’s eye, the recruiter will call you in for an interview. One meeting could be the key to your dream job, so it’s important to make a good first impression. How to avoid needless misunderstanding that could reduce your chances of success? Let’s take a look at the most common mistakes that candidates make at interviews and how to avoid them.

Dressing appropriately is the foundation of success

Attire may seem to be a complex issue, but it’s actually not that difficult. The motto is: “dress according to the position you are applying for.” Your clothes should obviously be clean and decent-looking. Don’t wear anything revealing. Don’t forget to style your hair and look presentable overall. Your appearance not only represents who you are but it also shows your potential employer respect.

Ask

It’s definitely important to show interest, communicate and ask questions. Don’t ask about the work time, salary or employee benefits at the beginning of the interview. Save these questions for the end. However, always have questions prepared about the job description, the team, the course of training, what needs to be accomplished during the trial period and so on.

Don’t be afraid to brag

The problem with most interviews is that the candidates are not able to sell themselves. Believe it or not, the HR professional or CEO is also only human, so everyone is well aware of the fact that a job interview is a very stressful situation for every candidate. However, your main target is to convince the interviewer that you are suitable for the position. Therefore, be prepared to share truthful information that is not included in your CV. Accentuate your career highlights.

Show respect

Your success at the job interview is riding on the first few minutes. You can only make a good, or a bad, first impression once. Bad behaviour can significantly influence the outcome of the interview. You can be a nuclear physicist, but your future employer is not only interested in your experience. Therefore, show respect and be nice to the participants of the interview. In addition, it doesn’t hurt to turn the ringing on your cell phone off, to avoid any possible distractions during the interview.

It's somewhat of a blind date. If the interview gives off positive vibes, that’s half the battle. However, if the HR professional or manager doesn’t ask any questions and shows no interest, then there’s something wrong. That’s when you have to step up your game, otherwise your hopes of being hired are diminishing. Nevertheless, stay calm and give it your all. Good luck!

This is a continuation of a two-part series. Read part one here.