6 INTERVIEW MISTAKES TO AVOID

How you perform will determine whether you get your dream job . Here’s what not to do,

From asking to be paid “in cash” to hugging the prospective boss, eager applicants can make fatal errors in the interview process. Aside from the basic mistakes like failing to do their homework or not looking up the interviewer on LinkedIn, there are less obvious ways job –seekers can tear themselves out of the running

1.       DEAD FISH HANDSHAKES

You never get a second chance to make a first impression, and a recent study found out that the window of opportunity closes within just seven seconds. First comes the all- important handshake. Research from the University of Lowa found that those with the best handshakes were considered to be the “most hireable” by interviewers. According to HR expert Dr. John Sullivan , a single bad handshake can immediately eliminate a top candidate.

Is a firm handshake the answer? Not necessarily. Interviewers are being taught not to put too much store by grip. Instead, follow the interviewers lead, in terms of duration and pressure. Avoid a “dead fish”, but don’t crush the hiring manager’s hand.

2.       SLOPPY POSTURE

Interviews can feel like a full-blown interrogation: so keep an eye on your body language. Rub your nose, and you could appear dishonest. Slouch and you’ll seem arrogantand disinterested .Point, and you’ll come across as aggressive.  A 2012 Harvard working paper suggested that adopting “high power” poses (simply, stretching out expansively), before you even enter the interview room, can improve your chances of being hired.  So maintain eye contact, but don’t stare. Sit up straight and lean forward slightly-it will keep the interviewer engaged. Hold an interested facial expression and nod.

3.       BEING GENERIC

While the internet can provide invaluable background information on the company itself, don’t    rely on random website advice to get you through the big day. “Those sorts of generic answers are the reason why 90 per cent of people will say I’m too much of a perfectionist, or  ‘ I take too much on board’ when asked about their biggest weakness, “says Nick Teige of Ashton Hendricks. “but the real answer is job related. Try and picture yourself in the job: what wont you be able to do immediately? It shows you’re thinking about the role in a professional way”

4.       TALKING MONEY TOO SOON

Not having any questions to ask at the end of an interview could make you seem flighty and unprepared. But asking the wrong questions may have similarly disastrous consequences. “don’t raise the issue of remuneration too quickly-  it can be off-putting to hiring managers” says Matt Weston of Robert Half. Don’t ask questions about the hours or pay, or holiday allowance.  “you can’t claim it’s your perfect job in one breath, only to ask about time off in the next” says Tiege.

5.       BAD MOUTHING THE EX-BOSS

Answering phone calls mid-interview or chewing gum are obvious “interview don’ts”. But there are other ways an unprofessional attitude can damage your prospects. Top of the list? Speaking poorly of a former manager.  “it is never appropriate to bad mouth. It will make the hiring manager wonder what you’ll later say about them!” says Weston.

6.       DRESSING 

      When it comes to dressing for an interview, the consensus is that conservative is best. “Dressing conservatively means you care on a couple of different dimensions, one, you’re making an effort; two, you’re making an effort not to offend; three you’re polite and respectful.”

The most common mistake among candidates is not paying attention to the details, says Kim Zoller, founder and president of Image Dynamics, which advises companies like Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton on image and communication skills. Ill-fitting or too-tight clothes and casual ensembles make you look lazy or sloppy. “If you’re not dressed well, you can say all the right things … but you won’t get the job when you’re being compared with a lot of other capable people who are dressed better!

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