Have you ever had an interview feeling like you own it, yet only to realize that you weren’t invited back for a second interview and offered the job? You were probably confused; let alone feeling upset. Perhaps both. There could have been a good reason for it. Perhaps another candidate was more qualified? Or maybe the hiring manager was looking for a specific person. But what if it wasn’t those things? What if you killed your interview with mistakes you weren’t even aware of?
Here are some surprising interview missteps that might cost you the job opportunity:
Explaining to your interviewer more than necessary can sometimes be disastrous. Your stories should be at least around 90 seconds long (longer if required to or to explain certain technical details/matters) and have a relevant point. Be calm, listen well, and maintain your focus. Conciseness and clarity are your winning tickets. Stick with what you have rehearsed and researched as well as the questions you need to ask. Silence inside an interview can be awkward, but filling up the silence with unnecessary talk could make awkwardness to worst.
When you are too agreeable, in a way it’s a red flag to hiring managers. This might seem odd, but being too agreeable actually tells interviewers that you’re a pushover, desperate, or have trouble making your own decisions. Granted, there’s a balance. You don’t want to appear high maintenance by being disagreeable. So what’s the solution? Be honest. If you agree with something an interviewer presents, agree with it. But if you disagree, then do thoughtfully express your opinion. Interviews aren’t exclusively for hiring managers; they’re also how you decide whether the company is a good fit for you. If you find yourself disagreeing with everything the hiring manager is saying, it might be time to move on.
Going into an interview without preparing is a definite no-no. But did you know that over-preparing can also be harmful? When interviewees over-prepare, they become inflexible and impersonal. Almost stiff like robots. Thus, you’ve lost your charm/persona. Every individual interviewer has a character/style. It’s important to pay attention to the interviewer’s conversational cues and follow his or her lead. You can ask your recruiter or others who have interviewed with the company about the tone of the interview so you know what to expect. The more you know about how your interview will be structured the better you can prepare for it.
There are times the interviewer may hit your nerve or consciously try to provoke you into an outburst by getting a bit to your personal side or pressuring and questioning your judgment on certain related work experiences. Don’t fall for it. Clear your mind of any fears of expectations so you can maintain a calm, open-minded perspective at all times.
A job interview can be treacherous for the unwary. You don’t have to fall, a victim. When you acknowledge and plan ahead, you can easily avoid the major pitfalls in any interview and maintain confidence to finally ace the interview itself.
Good luck!
