Being invited to an interview keeps you about 70% close to securing a job. Usually, employers or recruiters would have been satisfied enough with the contents of your CV/résumé before inviting you for an interview. Attending an interview, however, does not guarantee you the job. You must put up a good performance to convince the interviewers that your CV/résumé represents you indeed. Here are some of the things you should avoid in order not to ruin your chances at an interview.
Do not be late for an interview
Lateness to functions sends multiple negative messages about an individual. Most significantly, it tells your prospective employer that you are not liable and are not likely to be productive because productivity has a great deal with time management. If you have a good reason to be late for an interview, the wisest approach will be to call ahead of time. Let them know why you may be late. You could possibly request for a rescheduled interview or a change in the medium, perhaps from a face-to-face interview to an online interview. That will make them know that you are serious about the job.
Do not criticize your previous and current employers.
Recruiters could ask you questions about your previous and current bosses. It will be wrong to dishonour them in an interview. Dishonouring them would include speaking ill against them. Despite their shortcoming, present their positive sides in the interview. When you disparage your former and current employers in the presence of your prospective boss, he/she could be unsafe to work with you.
Do not give an inaccurate account of yourself in your CV/résumé.
Remember that your CV/résumé represents you, especially in your absence. Giving some false data which you cannot corroborate during the interview will undermine your credibility. Provide information that you can always defend.
Do not be ignorant about the establishment.
The first thing to do having found out about a job opportunity and before attending an interview is to make a little research about the company. Read through the vision and mission statements of the company. Find out some things about their method of operation. Moreover, should also find out their contenders in the marketplace. The company will be more interested in you when they know that you have background information about them.
Be open to corrections and don’t be rude.
No human being is above mistakes. You may make mistakes during the interview. Mistakes are not signs of weakness, but being too proud to accept your mistakes is a sign of weakness. If you are corrected in an interview session, humbly and gladly accept the correction and move on. Do not rudely respond to the person who corrected you.
Do not show desperation.
No matter how much you need the job, avoid showing desperation. Be calm and control your emotion. No employer loves to work with a desperate employee. Desperation could send a wrong message to them that you are likely to do anything illegal to get and retain the job.
Dress appropriately.
An interview is a formal activity. Hence, you must dress appropriately when attending an interview. While opinions about what is most appropriate for an interview may differ, formal wear is always a safe option. In a few cases, dressing in a smart casual may be ok, depending on the profession. Appearing in smart casual wear to be interviewed for the position of a social media promoter may be preferred by appearing in a very formal English suit. In all, modesty is the keyword. Avoid dressing in a provocative manner.
Speak audibly and convincingly.
Your interviewers will be put off if the tone of her voice makes them strain their ears. Let your voice be audible enough. Also, speak convincingly. Let your responses exude with confidence. However, in a bid to be audible and convincing, avoid being loquacious in an interview.
Do not ignore simple social etiquette.
Remember that it is a good habit to knock before getting into an office, except if there’s an instruction indicating otherwise. Good manners demand that you sit down only when you have been told to do so by the panel of interviewers. Also, you must sit erect. Don’t place your legs on a hair or table when discussing with your recruiters. Do not use swear words or foul language.
