The Hiring Manager's Top 10 Interview Mistakes I've been a hiring manager for over 25 years and have interviewed literally hundreds of people for positions at all levels in several industries. I've had some great interviews, while others have made me sit back and think, "Huh?".
Consequently, I'd like to share my top 10 interview mistakes. Don't let these happen to you!
Number Ten Worst Interview Mistake
Bad posture and body language.
The big three turn-offs here are slumping, fidgeting, and folding your arms. The best advice here is to keep your hands folded on top of the table and sit up straight.
Number Nine Worst Interview Mistake
Talking negatively about past employers.
If you bad mouth your past employers, as a hiring manager I'll automatically assume you'll bad mouth your current employer. Even if your previous employer treated you worse than a paid servant, keep your remarks about them positive if asked. At the very least, keep your remarks neutral.
Number Eight Worst Interview Mistake
Wearing the wrong clothes.
By this, I mean loud colors, revealing clothing, sloppy, or too casual for the position. While this is not an absolute deal killer if you have great qualifications and are a great interview, it's something you have absolute control over. Don't come into the interview with one strike against you from the start. The best advice is to find out what others in similar positions in the company are wearing…and then dress a bit better than that for the interview. Remember: I'll never mark an applicant down for dressing too well.
Number Seven Worst Interview Mistake
Being arrogant or having an attitude.
Here too, if you have simply superb qualifications that are extremely hard to find, you may get away with appearing arrogant or showing a superior attitude. But this usually is an indicator of someone who will turn out to be a problem employee with poor people skills. In my role as a hiring manager, I'll almost always avoid these personality types when I make a hiring decision.
Number Six Worst Interview Mistake
Asking self-serving questions (e.g. salary, benefits, vacation, etc).
Save these questions until you're actually offered the job. Otherwise, you'll appear to be more interested in what's in it for you, whereas hiring managers want to hear what's in it for them if they hire you.
Number Five Worst Interview Mistake
No eye contact and mumbling short answers.
It's not a sin to be introverted. But in an interview it can prevent the hiring manager from being able to get a good feel for your qualifications and how you'll fit in with the group. The best way to overcome this is to be prepared. Research the company and be able to demonstrate that knowledge. Practice answering common interview questions in advance. Have well thought out comments about all aspects of your experience, especially how they relate to the specific position for which you're interviewing. All of these things will help you frame better answers in the interview. Oh, and concentrate on making eye contact frequently!
Number Four Worst Interview Mistake
Talking too much.
This may seem to contradict Number 5, but there is a pretty fine line between giving good, solid answers to questions and talking too much. I've had many applicants talk themselves right out of the job because I literally could not get them to shut up when answering a question. After several ten minute answers that soar off into the stratosphere, the hiring manager will very likely write you off mentally and look for ways to end the interview. Here's a guideline: target for answers that are two to three minutes in length. This is sufficient for all but the most involved questions and will demonstrate that you are articulate and succinct.
Number Three Worst Interview Mistake
Having no questions to ask about either the job or the company.
This gives the impression that not only are you not enthusiastic about the job and company, but you didn't do your homework and properly prepare for the interview. You should have at least five questions prepared to ask about either the job or the company. This way, at the end of the interview when you're asked if you have any questions (and believe me, you'll be asked), you have some intelligent, well thought out questions. If you've prepared five, you can then ask the three that are most relevant, based on the questions you were asked in the interview.
Number Two Worst Interview Mistake
Not researching the company.
This is closely related to Number 3, because it difficult to ask questions about the company if you haven't researched it. By thoroughly researching each company for which you have an interview, you'll be able talk about your skills and experience as they specifically relate to that company's business and goals. If you are able to give some of your past accomplishments and then explain how they relate to some aspect of the company for which you're interviewing, you'll will automatically be ahead of 95 percent of your competition. As a hiring manager, I'd send taxicabs for applicants like this.
Number One Worst Interview Mistake
And now…the number one worst interview mistake: Your actual experience and/or education doesn't match what was stated on your resume.
Unless the hiring manager knows you, or you were referred by someone, you got the interview based on the strength of your resume and cover letter. If you've exaggerated your skills or experience, the hiring manger will most of the time pick up on this very early in the interview. After all, that's why they're the hiring manger. If you're unable to field specific questions about experience or qualifications stated in your resume, that's the kiss of death in an interview. You've wasted your time, the hiring manager's time, and have stamped yourself as an untrustworthy individual . You'll likely find the interview being brought to a close quickly and will pretty much have eliminated yourself for consideration anywhere at that company. The best advice here is to be honest and straightforward on your resume. That way, your interviews will be for positions for which you are truly qualified. Your success ratio at these interviews will be much higher.
