What to Avoid During a Job Interview

Job seekers have a pretty good idea of what the hiring manager expects from them during an interview. Most candidates know the basics: dress professionally, maintain eye contact, display manners and confidence, and bring extra copies of your résumé and references. Through my research in my job search, I came across some pet peeves of hiring professionals that I wanted to share with my fellow classmates to avoid during their job search.

When candidates apply for every position available within the company, it gives off a “desperate” impression to the hiring manager. Do not send out mass job applications just because you are frantic to land a job after graduation. Hiring managers will easily pick up on your desperate attempts and see it as a lack of focus or drive to obtain a specific position.

Hiring managers oftentimes automatically dismiss résumés with spelling errors, grammar mistakes, or missing information. One of the worst things a candidate could do is to exaggerate on previous job duties in order to impress the hiring manager. Misrepresentation by stretching the truth about a position will not do you any favors. On my résumé, I have a brief description of what my job responsibilities entailed and if asked about them during an interview, I provide an example of how I demonstrated a specific duty. How embarrassing would it be if the hiring manager asked you about a job responsibility you had listed on your résumé and you were not able to explain the duty in detail or you forgot you even listed it on your résumé? Only list accurate data regarding personal information, your education, skills, and professional experience.

Time management skills are vital in any professional career. Being late to the interview shows the hiring manager that you are unreliable, unappreciative of their time and not entirely serious about the position. To avoid running late, I always map out the distance it will take me to get to the office. I take into consideration the time of day, whether it be rush hour in the morning or late afternoon. If the office is not too far from home, I will drive to the office the day before to ensure I know the location and to prevent panic the day of the interview.  

One of the most common distributed pieces of advice for all interviewees is to research the company and job position beforehand. Lack of preparation appears as laziness to the hiring manager. There is a vast amount of information available to candidates and yet many still do not complete their homework prior to the interview. This advice is highly stressed at HPU from our professors that being prepared is key to a strong interview. Before an interview, I google the company and research any recent news regarding the business or industry. I prepare several questions in regards to the future of the company by tying in some of my research to impress the hiring manager.

Although many of these aspects of a job interview may seem obvious to avoid, many candidates still seem to make these mistakes. Be prepared, on time, and represent your true self. By following these tips, you can ensure the hiring manager that you are a strong candidate for the position.