Four Ways to Ruin a Job Interview

Posted by in Career Advice


A great job interview is the first step in landing a great job. In the course of your career, job interviews are going to be the most stressful meetings you'll hopefully ever have. Although there are many things you can do to help calm your nerves and show your best self to a hiring manger, there are a few things that almost everyone has done, at one point or another, that can sabotage the interview and make the hiring manager think twice about hiring you.

 

Here are four ways to ruin a job interview:

 

  1. Not knowing when to stop talking – When you're nervous, it's natural to talk quickly to fill up all of the gaps and silences. It can happen out of the blue, even when you're trying your best to make a great impression. It's often a result of over-preparing what you're going to say and neglecting the interviewer's responses. Try to embrace pauses, take a deep breath, and try to keep your answers fairly short and targeted to questions the hiring manager asks.
     
  2. Talking bad about a previous employer – Few things will make you look as bad as slinging mud. Even if the interviewer appears to be empathizing with your situation, or if they seem to be encouraging you to go on, keep all negative comments about previous bosses to a minimum. Imagine the interview like a first date: avoid sensitive experiences and past bad relationships. You'll make a much better impression if you only have good things to say about the people you've worked with.
     
  3. Playing it cool – Because it's a struggle to keep nerves at bay, it's tempting to try to adopt an attitude of indifference. Acting cool makes it less likely that you'll embarrass yourself, but if you aren't careful, it can make hiring managers believe that you aren't interested in the job. Even though you're trying to stay calm, allow yourself to show your enthusiasm for the job. A job interview is one of those times when extreme enthusiasm is not only allowed, but encouraged.
     
  4. Forgetting to be gracious – Many applicants forget that it's the small things that really matter the most. Simple acts of graciousness like sending a thank-you note or shaking hands can make a great impression. Remember that even though a company will benefit from having you as an employee, they are still doing you a favor by hiring you. Being grateful and thanking people for every little thing is the mark of a true professional. Being gracious doesn't cost you a thing, and it can really pay off.

 

During an interview, remember to stay calm but enthusiastic and don't forget your manners. It's really not that hard; just be the most professional and happy person you can be and you'll be sure to stand out.

 

What other mistakes have you made during a job interview? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

 

Image source: MorgueFile

 

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  • Melissa Kennedy
    Melissa Kennedy
    Thanks for stopping by. Jean, I agree with you. It's always classy to send a handwritten thank you note.
  • Robert T
    Robert T
    Every thing you stated is absolutely correct...
  • Jean C
    Jean C
    In addition to thanking the interviewer for their time at the end of the interview, even if it is a phone interview, I always get an address where I can send them a Thank You note. And then I send one. The interviewer probably doesn't get many of these in today's electronic world and it will make a positive impression.
  • Melissa Kennedy
    Melissa Kennedy
    Thanks so much. I'm glad you enjoyed it, Elise. Good luck with your next interview!
  • Ken D
    Ken D
    As a former hiring manager, the thing that annoyed me most was an applicant trying to dominate the conversation, leaving me no time for the questions I really needed to have answered.
  • Elsie P
    Elsie P
    These tips are very informative information and will use on my next interview.
  • vicki p
    vicki p
    Great Tips! and soooo very true!
  • Melissa Kennedy
    Melissa Kennedy
    Thanks for stopping by to comment!!@Alan - you can always help it. No matter what the situation, there is always something good you can say and if not, just don't say anything.@Mbuyi - Don't dwell on mistakes. When you have an interview and don't get the job, just consider it practice and learn what you can from it.
  • Alan R. B
    Alan R. B
    Don't speak ill of anyone - ex-employer or not - if you can help it.
  • MBUYI N
    MBUYI N
    I never have a phone neither a video interview but after reading the above , I will be ready in the future  for  interview
  • MBUYI N
    MBUYI N
    I had make a big mistake about mentioning  about my child without realizing that was not appropriate and also I was not brief with my answer.
  • Melissa Kennedy
    Melissa Kennedy
    Thanks for the great comments!@Gail - It's a good rule for an interview and also a good one for life.
  •  gail w
    gail w
    I have learned that no matter what a jerk your last employer was, I tell the interviewer that I learned a lot from that employer, resist the urge to bad mouth them
  • RONALD H
    RONALD H
    i   believe  the  best   thing  to  do  during  an  interview  is  look  directly into  the   hiring  managers  eyes   and  be  positive

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