10 Common Interview Mistakes

For many people, especially people who have not interviewed in a while, the interview process is the single most stressful part of finding a job. Any number of things can go wrong. A big part of having a successful interview is by avoiding some common mistakes. The following is a list of 10 common mistakes made during an Interview.

1. Being Unprepared
Practice! Get a list of general interview questions, have a friend ask them and listen to your responses providing feedback. Or, record yourself, then listen to yourself taking notes. Stand in front of a mirror and conduct an interview rehearsal. Practice until your delivery feels comfortable and natural - easy.

2. Failure To Research A Company
An interviewer will expect you to spend time researching and reading about their company. Do your homework before the interview; really know what the company does and who their competitors are. If you have not taken the time to review the employer's website or trying to understand what the company is recruiting for, you are reducing your chances of a successful interview.

3. Not Clear What You’re Interviewing For
Become familiar with the job description so you can draw on your experiences, talents, strengths and abilities to connect with company needs. Highlight how you're suited to that particular job. Know your weakness too.

4. Not Being Yourself
Be yourself. Relax. Be honest! Don't pretend to understand a question if you don't. The interviewer will pick up on this. If you don't know an answer, say so. You can always ask to have a question rephrased. Relax, be yourself. Breath. Remember you're interviewing the company just as much as they are interviewing you.

5. Lack Of Enthusiasm
Maintain eye contact, greet the interviewer with a warm smile and a firm handshake (not weak, not too strong either), and show common courtesy. Just don't over do it. Learn some manners if you haven't already. Don't be afraid to display your passion for a particular job or industry. Show confidence, just don't be aloof.

6. Not Marketing Yourself
Define yourself. What makes you, you? How are you different from others? Know your strengths, weaknesses and accomplishments as they relate to the job you are applying for and to the company. Print up some business cards for yourself with all your contact information and hand one to everyone at the interview (they can also be used at networking meetings).

7. Not Listening
Focus on the question being asked and don't try to anticipate the next one or come up with an answer before the the interviewer stops asking the question. Practice restating what another person has said. Try to incorporate some of the question in your answers. It's OK to pause for a moment to collect your thoughts before answering a question. Pay special attention to technical or work process related subjects unique to a given company or industry. The interviewer may have provided information you will need to answer a question earlier in the conversation. Employers will be looking for your ability to assimilate new information, retain it, and, most importantly, recognize that information as useful to you later in the interview.

8. Not Asking Meaningful Questions Yourself
Have a few, at least 3 or 4, intelligent questions to ask the interviewer. It leaves a positive impression with the interviewer to have your questions written down in advance, it shows planning. Reference them at an appropriate time. Interviews are an exchange of information, and not showing up with questions shows you did not prepare for the interview.

9. Not Providing Enough Details
When answering questions, technical questions or solving technical problems, take the time to "talk through" your thought process. Interviewers are much more interested in seeing how your mind works and how it attacks a given type of problem, than the answer itself. Articulate your problem solving process and verbalize your thinking.

10. Dress For The Interview
Professional attire and attention to detail count. You can never be too professional. Or, if the job if not an office type job, dress appropriately. Remember, your appearance, your tone of voice, your conduct matter and the impression, positive or negative, you make. Be presentable - wear a pressed suit and shirt and polished shoes or whatever is proper attire for the job.

Remember these 10 simple things and your chances of finding a job go up dramatically.

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