​There are a few mistakes you can make in an interview that will reduce your chances of getting a job offer. Forbes (2019) recently concluded that there were four main mistakes being made by candidates in job interviews which we come across daily in our roles as a recruiter. Thankfully part of our role involves meeting and speaking with candidates before we represent them to our clients, so we often have a chance to discuss and run through the below to make sure you ace your interview. The four main mistakes are outlined and explained below.

Be on Time.

Sounds simple, but this is not uncommon at all! Besides looking unprofessional to your potential employer, you will also cause yourself unnecessary stress and be in a less than optimal frame of mind going into the interview. Being early means you can dedicate 100% of your brainpower to the interview. Always plan for extra time to account for traffic or transit delays, it’s better to be 10 minutes early than 1 minute late.

Be prepared.

It’s not just your experiences that get you hired - It’s also how prepared you are for the interview. The interviewer wants to see that you’ve researched the company and the role as it shows interest and will set you apart from other applicants who haven’t done this. You also want to have well thought out questions to ask at the end of the interview. This will help you get to know more about the job and the company and shows the interviewer that you’re truly interested in pursuing the opportunity. At the end of your interview thank the interviewer for their time, the opportunity, and reiterate your interest in the job.

First Impressions.

According to Forbes (2019), your job interview starts the second you walk through the building doors. Be polite to everyone you meet, from the building reception, to the people you pass by at the elevators, to the receptionist on your potential employers’ floor. It’s always courteous to remove your headphones and put your phone away as this shows respect and ensures that you won’t be distracted when someone is speaking to you. Most companies are starting to include their staff in the selection process and often ask their team what their thoughts are from their interactions with you. The way you treat people when you aren’t being watched speaks volumes, it doesn’t matter if it’s the cleaner or the CEO - treat everyone you meet with respect.

Why you are Leaving your current role.

Never complain about your current or previous firm in an interview. It doesn’t matter how terrible your employer or co-workers are, or how much you loathe your current role or the company you worked for. Complaining in a job interview is a one-way ticket to not getting hired. Plus, the person you are interviewing with might have a relationship with your current boss which can create all kinds of drama! When asked why you are leaving, keep it brief, provide an example of the situation and why you can’t learn from it.