Below are the 10 etiquette mistakes to avoid in job interviews:
You passed the selection process for your resume for your dream job and the job interview is the only thing that’s in the way of you.
This frightening process can confuse the best of us and takes years of work. Perhaps, however, you have no time to learn from your errors.
Article Road Map
1. Going Simple
As a nominee, being unable to answer certain questions is highly ‘unattractive.’
Worse still, certain candidates appear to not know the company or the position.
That’s extremely unfamiliar. Confidently, you can’t go in and wing it. Companies want people to be told what the company is doing and to be able to add value exactly.
Solution:
Do your research.
Investigate the company’s website to learn about its values and mission. Investigate the industry and identify the company’s competitors.
Then, examine the position for which you are applying. What will be your primary responsibilities? What do they anticipate from you?
The interviewer will ask you to provide specific examples of your accomplishments. Before you go into the interview, try to think of some stories that demonstrate your abilities. This ensures that you are not caught off guard when they begin asking specific questions.
The job interview is similar to a test in that you can slack off and hope for the best. Alternatively, you can prepare and ensure that no question surprises you.
Read Also: Get the Job: Avoid These 5 Thank You Note Mistakes
2. Late Arrival
When someone is late for a work interview, what do they call them?
Currently unemployed.
It is important to be on time for interviews. Arriving late is very reckless and wastes valuable time during your interview. If you’re late for the interview, the interviewer will assume you’ll be late for the job as well.
Solution:
The day before the interview, plan your commute and how you will arrive at the office. Clear the calendar on the day of the interview and concentrate only on the interview. Create no other arrangements until the interview.
Be sure to factor in travel time, driving time, and any security checks that might be needed. Whether you’re running late due to an unforeseen incident, don’t go overboard on the explanations.
Explain that you were late and get on with the interview by apologizing for the time lost.
If, on the other hand, an emergency arises and you believe you will be late for the interview, don’t be afraid to contact the recruiter to request that the interview be rescheduled.
Read Also: Things you should never do during and after a job interview
3. Exhibiting Excessive Energy
Playing ‘too cool’ for the role is never a good idea. Being too energetic, on the other hand, would not benefit.
If you express so much enthusiasm, you will come off as juvenile, which may detract from your responses.
It can even give the impression to the interviewer that you are unprofessional or do not take the business seriously.
Solution:
Here are few tips to help you manage your energy levels:
Don’t go overboard.
Throughout the interview, make sure you’re breathing and engaging with the interviewer. Match the interviewer’s enthusiasm and maintain a friendly, upbeat demeanor.
Maintain a calm demeanor. Don’t just spew out answers. Consider what you’re doing before you say it.
4. Using a wrong tone
Another common blunder made by candidates is exaggerating or downplaying their language. What exactly do we expect when we say that? Allow me to elaborate…
You’ll need to adjust your sound and vocabulary depending on the position/company you’re applying for.
Read Also: 9 Simple Strategies on How to Hire the Right People
Solution:
You must be emotionally conscious to get this right.
Pay attention to the sound and body language of the HR boss as the interview begins.
Is their demeanor formal, cool, and reserved? Do the same thing.
Do they seem to be polite and laid-back? Please reciprocate!
5. Paying No Attention
Is there something that has happened to you?
Everyone is discussing something important.
All of a sudden, you’re curious about what you’ll eat for lunch.
If it’s (sort of) acceptable to doze off while a friend is speaking, it’s a major no-no during an interview.
You may skip the interviewer’s query.
Or, in the worst-case scenario, the interviewer will catch you dozing off and disqualify you.
Solution:
Ensure that you are paying attention in the interview.
The interviewer and the issue at hand should be the primary subject.
Before you reach the room, try to clear your mind.
Take a deep breath and try to stay awake if you catch yourself drifting off.
6. Being too friendly with the interviewer
When it comes to the interviewer, being so personal is a no-no.
You don’t want to get too intimate with the interviewer, even though you bond over topics you have in common.
Some candidates begin to ask extremely unsettling questions. Others may begin flirting or acting unacceptably.
This isn’t a speed date or a lunch date. Don’t inquire about their families, personal life, or professional goals.
Read Also: 21 Resume mistakes keeping you from getting a job - How to fix them
Solution:
Keep in mind that all interviews are conducted in a professional setting.
It’s fine to converse with the interviewer and form a bond about something, just don’t go overboard. It’s fine to discuss things you have in common as long as it’s relevant and the subject comes up naturally.
What you SHOULDN’T do, though, is continue to go in that direction and personalize the relationship.
Read Also; Email Etiquette: 8 Do's And Don'ts Of Professional Emails
7. Using Your Mobile Phone
Even though this is a pretty straightforward question, some candidates get it wrong.
Bringing the phone into the interview or using it after the interview is a big no-no. It would make you look unprofessional and distracted.
Solution:
This one is straightforward:
Place your phone in your bag and set it to silent mode. It’s okay if you want to talk on Twitter or in a group chat. At no point during the interview should you pull it out. For every time.
8.Too much self-promotion
You are expected to please at a work interview.
But here’s the thing: putting the best foot forward isn’t the same as exaggerating your abilities. During an interview, several candidates take advantage of any chance to praise themselves.
This is arrogant and unattractive.
Read Also: How to follow up after a job interview [Complete Guide]
Solution:
Reduce the use of arbitrary and cliché words. Allow your accomplishments and work to speak for themselves. Answer the majority of questions as directly and critically as possible. Only if the essence of the query requires it, find the correct way to provide achievement.
9. Failure to Follow Up
When the interview is over, you can believe your job is done. Ok, not always.
You can send a follow-up email if you want to increase your odds of getting the position (and guarantee that the interviewer remembers you).
Solution:
After the interview, wait about three hours before sending a thank-you note.
10. Excessively aggressive follow-up
Hiring managers will take a long time to make a decision. It takes between 2 to 4 weeks on average to receive a response.
You may become irritated and decide that following up is a good idea. And once more. And then there was a third time. Then you get irritated and begin contacting them to demand a response.
While following up is usually optimistic, you run the risk of being a stalker-ex, squandering every positive impression you made during the interview.
Solution:
Always be polite and considerate of the interviewer’s time.
The interviewer will inform you if you did not cut.
final thoughts
Interviewing is a complex and nerve-wracking operation.
There are a plethora of things that can go wrong…but now you’re aware of them all!
Keep in mind all of the tips and solutions we gave in this series, and don’t forget to plan!