You want a job interview to go according to plan. Yet, there are many common interview mistakes you may make without even realizing it. And if you make even a single mistake during an interview, you could miss out on the opportunity to land your dream job.

Now, let’s look at six of the most common interview mistakes, along with ways to avoid them.

1. Wearing the Wrong Outfit

Failure to consider a company’s culture can cause problems during a job interview. Because if you are unsure of how a business’ employees dress, you may dress inappropriately for an interview. Oftentimes, it helps to conduct plenty of research into a company and its culture before an interview. This can give you insights into what to wear during your meeting. Also, when in doubt, reach out to the hiring manager for insights into the company’s dress code.

2. Arriving Late

Plan to get to an interview at least a few minutes early. This gives you time to get settled and relax before you meet with your interviewer. If you’re attending an in-person interview, plan out your commute ahead of time. Or, for a virtual interview, ensure your equipment works properly prior to logging in to your meeting.

3. Looking at Your Phone

Silence or turn off your phone when you attend an interview. Remember, it is paramount to give your interviewer your undivided attention. To do so, you must be able to avoid distractions. And by deactivating your phone, you can avoid this potential distraction altogether.

4. Talking Over Your Interviewer

Let your interviewer ask questions and do not interrupt him or her. Rather, listen to what your interviewer has to say. Then, you can respond accordingly.

5. Getting Off-Topic

When you receive a question from your interviewer, answer it as best as you can. Do not go off-topic; conversely, focus on providing your interviewer with a thoughtful response. If you need to take a few seconds to consider your response, do so. This allows you to show your interviewer you want to consider your response carefully and provide him or her with one that fully answers their question.

6. Not Asking Follow-Up Questions

Prepare a list of questions to ask your interviewer at the end of your meeting. Ask these questions to show your interviewer you want to learn more about their company and what it’s like to work for it.

The Bottom Line on Common Interview Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Do not expect a job interview to go perfectly. However, with the aforementioned tips, you can minimize the risk of common interview mistakes. And you can put yourself in a great position to make a positive impression during your interview.

Finally, if you want help in your search to find your dream job, partner with HCR Personnel Solutions. We can connect you with top employers in the Greater Toronto Area and Southwestern Ontario. To find out more, please get in touch with us today.



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