5 Avoidable Job Interview Mistakes

You only have one chance to make a good first impression in an interview.  You are being evaluated on the way you talk, dress, and even smell from the second you enter the room. What you do, and even what you don’t do, can be the difference between landing a new job or heading back to the job boards. Before you schedule your next interview, consider these 5 common mistakes job seekers make in interviews, and learn how they can be easily avoided.

1. Agreeing to Do It All

All too often candidates agree to perform certain tasks they don’t know how to do or don’t want to do, just to get the job. If you don’t have the skills to perform the task, or don’t feel comfortable performing the task, then you should make it known during the interview. The interview is not only about the hiring manager evaluating you, but a time for you to evaluate the job.

2. Acting Too Comfortable

While chewing gum, using curse words and revealing intimate personal details is perfectly acceptable in front of a friend,  it has no place in an interview. It’s understandable to want to have fresh breath before an interview, but not only is chewing gum distracting, it is also unprofessional. Using profanity is extremely disrespectful and revealing too much information will only do more harm than good.

3. Offensive Odors

Scent is the strongest sense tied to memory. Before an interview, do your best to eliminate any strong odors from pets, coffee, or cigarettes before your interview. Even pleasant smells like perfume can be offensive when too much is applied. Also, and I hope this goes with out saying, but don’t forget to shower and use deodorant. Do you want employers to remember you by an offensive smell or by your impressive resume?

4. Failing to Research the Company

It’s a widely known best practice to research a company before an interview, but it’s surprising how often people don’t do it. Before the interview, make sure to do a thorough search of the company’s website and any social networks they’re active on. If a manager asks you a question about the company, you don’t want your response to be a blank stare.

5. Dressing Unprofessionally

Many candidates are under the false impression that today’s climate of relaxed dress codes transfers over to interviews. It absolutely does not. Candidates should still be dressing professionally to an interview. If a candidate is unsure of what to wear, it’s best to play it safe and wear a suit. Also, make sure your shoes are polished, your nails are clean, and your hair is tidy.

Although there are many uncontrollable factors when it comes to the candidate selection process, there are also many factors that can be controlled. Focusing on these controllable factors will not only help ease your interview stress, but it will also help you land your next job.