How to Avoid Common Interview Mistakes

Ever been there? Sweaty palms, a racing heart, and then… you are completely blank on a question. Or maybe you say something you instantly regret. Landing a job these days is tough. Companies have tons of applicants for every open position. Qualifications are important, sure. But how you perform in the interview can make or break your chances. Knowing common mistakes and how to dodge them will help you shine.

Avoiding common interview mistakes can make a big difference in securing the job you want. Here are some tips to help you navigate your interviews smoothly:

1. Lack of Preparation

• Research the Company: Understand the company's mission, values, and recent achievements. Look into their products, services, and culture to show you're genuinely interested.
• Know the Job Description: Familiarize yourself with the job requirements and how your skills match them. Be prepared to discuss how your background fits the role.
• Prepare Questions: Have a few thoughtful questions ready to ask the interviewer about the company, team, or position. This shows you’re engaged and interested.

2. Arriving Late or Too Early

Always plan out your time with traffic and considerations in mind and arrive early to an in-person interview. Shoot for around 10-15 minutes before the scheduled time to give you cushioning for unexpected delays. For virtual interviews, plan to be ready a few minutes before and test the platform ahead of time to minimize the chance of technical difficulties that can delay your joining the call.

On the other hand, you don’t want to be too early for an interview either, as it can interrupt the interviewers’ schedules. If you arrive 30+ minutes early you may pull them away from other work, which is disruptive.

3. Poor Communication

• Be Clear and Concise: Avoid rambling. Answer questions directly and stay on topic. If you don’t understand a question, it's okay to ask for clarification.
• Non-Verbal Cues Matter: Maintain good posture, make eye contact, and avoid fidgeting. These cues show confidence and professionalism.

4. Presenting Yourself the Wrong Way

The hiring team will evaluate your behavior before, during, and after the interview, which factors into their perception of you as a strong candidate.

Keep the following tips in mind to avoid coming across the wrong way:

• Make eye contact, have good posture, and be energetic when talking.
• Pay attention to what the interviewer(s) discusses. Asking them to repeat what they said can come across as disinterested.
• Avoid coming across as bragging or taking control of the conversation to talk just about you and your achievements. The hiring team may ask for this information but don’t dwell on it excessively.
• Speaking Negatively About Past Employers. Stay Positive! Even if you had a bad experience with a previous job or boss, positively frame your answers. Focus on what you learned from the situation rather than blaming others.

5. Over or Under Selling Yourself

• Be Honest About Your Skills: It's important to confidently discuss your strengths, but avoid exaggerating or claiming expertise where you don’t have it.
• Highlight Transferable Skills: If you’re changing industries or roles, emphasize transferable skills that can make you a great fit.

6. Not Dressing Appropriately

• Dress for the Job: Research the company’s dress code and aim to dress one level more formally. If in doubt, it's better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed.

7. Focusing Too Much on Salary and Benefits

• Wait for the Right Time: Avoid bringing up salary or benefits too early. Wait until the employer has expressed interest in hiring you or until they bring up the topic.

8. Failing to Ask the Interviewer Any Questions

Another common interview mistake is failing to prepare a question or two for the hiring team. Since an interview should be both for the company and the candidate to determine whether they make a good fit, top candidates interested in working at the company should demonstrate this by the questions they ask their interviewer. If they ask and you say you don’t have any questions, then you may appear uninterested in the job.

Avoid asking about anything the hiring team already discussed and try not to use basic questions that anyone can ask during an interview. Try to come up with questions relevant to the position you are interviewing for, such as what additional skills would best translate for the job or what someone working in that position would say was their favorite part.

 9. Failing to Follow Up

• Send a Thank-You Email: After the interview, send a brief thank-you email expressing appreciation for the opportunity. This shows professionalism and reinforces your interest.

10. Lack of Enthusiasm or Engagement

• Show Enthusiasm: Employers want to hire people who are excited about the role. Demonstrate genuine interest through your tone, body language, and responses.

11. Ignoring Behavioral Interview Questions

• Prepare for STAR Questions: Many interviews include behavioral questions. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers effectively.

Need More Help?

If you need any assistance in preparing your resume or you need more specific interview guidelines that best suit your personal requirements to have a breakthrough in the Canadian job market reach out to Gettrainedgethired.com to book a free 30-Minute career counseling meeting. At Gettrainedgethired.com we provide you with the necessary training to learn practical skills to become an accountant. Our training is based on practical real-life cases.  After the training, we work on your resume and try to place you in accounting firms through our network. You will also get access to like-minded individuals who are looking for jobs through our WhatsApp group. Please feel free to contact us at [email protected]. Or call us at 647-275-7150.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is intended to provide general information. The information does not consider your situation and is not intended to be used without consultation from professionals. Salman Rundhawa and Gettrainedgethired.com will not be held liable for any problems that arise from the usage of the information provided on this page.