While there are plenty of things you can do to have a successful interview, there are three things you should not do at an interview. As the applicant, there are certain things you should avoid from showing up late, to leaving a bad impression, we dive into them below.
Being unclear or lying on your job application.
Your resume is the first insight your interviewer has into who you are as a person and as an employee. It’s also a guide to your interview. While we understand adding some flare and buffer to your resume is common to set yourself apart from the crowd, you should never lie or be dishonest about your level of skillset. If you are dishonest about your skills, it could be revealed in your interview. Not only is that embarrassing, but it will also immediately dismiss you from advancing with the organization you are applying for.
Showing up late or not at all.
We can’t stress enough the importance of being on time for your interview and we do not recommend canceling your interview either. It’s a quick way to abruptly end any chance of moving forward with that company. If you are interviewing in person, we recommend arriving 20-30 minutes early. Even if you hang out in the parking lot and prepare some questions for your interviewer, it’s better than arriving late and being behind before you start. If your interview is a zoom call, hop on a few minutes early to make sure all your technology is prepped accordingly. There’s nothing worse than hopping onto a call just to realize you have the wrong meeting ID. If you do have to miss the interview for some reason, try to give the interviewer as much of a heads-up as possible. We are all human and, understandably, things pop up, but it’s how you handle these situations that will prove you’re a fit for the job or not.
Leaving with a bad impression.
First impressions always last. As we mentioned before, showing up on time is of the utmost importance. Now let’s talk dress code. Showing up dressed to impress shows respect to those you are interviewing with and sets you up for success. Dress neatly and properly organize what you will be wearing ahead of time. Lastly, when speaking throughout your interview, be sure to take your time and ask questions but avoid overtalking. You are there to answer direct questions, you shouldn’t feel obligated to fill a silence. Interviewing can be stressful, but with proper planning and avoiding these mistakes, you can put your best foot forward and succeed.