9 Common Rookie Interview Mistakes You Should Avoid ASAP!

Ever wondered why you’re not receiving any follow-up calls from potential recruiters for quite some time? Chances are, either you have not upskilled or you’re too casual. Maybe it’s time to flaunt your skills and achievements in a more presentable way.
Why become a part of the massive job-applicant crowd when you can be one of few shortlisted in a job interview? Your job interview is in itself a validated sample of your work which is further judged by your performance and presentation. In this cat-and-mouse corporate competition, you cannot afford to make rookie interview mistakes. You can follow some of the interesting interview guides compiled in this article:

1. Never Be Late: Many job applicants consider it ‘okay’ to appear a few minutes late at their scheduled interviews. Sorry to burst the bubble, but for candidates who appear late, it is an outright clumsy move (unless there is a serious emergency, if so, please reschedule). You should remember that the organization is going through a detailed procedure to schedule you a designated interview in alliance with the interviewer. Being late to your interview can make you look complacent and unfit for future endeavours.
2. Do Not Come Unprepared: Before dropping in for the interview, it’s best if you can follow the 2 mandatory protocols to avoid interview mistakes:

• Research: Always do detailed research about the company, its structure, key features, mission, vision, objective and services. Try and understand the organization’s need for an employee into a specific role. Figure out if you can meet the job requirement and if the position fits your job skills,qualification, deliverables, location etc. Always be ready for the questions: What do you know about us? Why do you want to work for this company?

• Resume & Cover Letter: As a top interview guide, remember to carry one or more hard copies of your resume (CV) along with a softcopy back-up in your phone/laptop. It is advisable to carry sample works, cover letters and references (if any) in your first interview round.

3. Look Interested: Employers are interviewing numerous candidates every day and what frustrates them most is a candidate’s uninterested appearance. If you are not interested in the job, please do not just drop by just to while away. Both you and your employer’s time is highly valuable so you cannot make this common interview mistake. Demonstrate enthusiasm and curiosity during your interview which includes appropriate dressing, a smiling attitude, keeping your phone silent, appearing focused and asking relevant questions.
4. Display Positive Energy: Your body language speaks a great deal about your personality. Portraying a positive outlook and being assertive no matter how edgy you are, will surely boost your personality to the interviewer. Instead, if you clench a smile, avoid eye-contact or shy away from a good handshake, it might look like you are uninterested and that’s a grave interview mistake.
5. Do not share too much information: There are instances where an interviewee can come out too strong, bursting with information (including personal information) that are irrelevant to the interview. This is a strict No-No. Your answers should be to the point, question oriented, short and simple. In case, it is the interviewer who is beginning to ask an unrelated question, you should point it out politely and ask your own question.
6. Ask the right questions: In an interview, your use of words will determine your skills of understanding and anticipation. It is vital not to ask too many questions, never asking the wrong ones and waiting to ask for the right questions. In your 1st round of interview, you can avoid the rookie interview mistake of enquiring about promotions, leaves, appraisals, benefits and personal gratifications. Instead, stay focused on how you can become an asset to the company if selected.

7. Collect contact information: An important interview guide for you- Remember to collect the company business card (if possible, the HR contact) and in turn, keep a track of your interviews in terms of date, location and interview-nature. Several applicants do not bother to understand the entire process of their interview. They barely develop an idea about the next step of the recruitment process and leave without making an impact.
8. Always do a follow up: This is basic for freshers as well as experienced professionals – never miss out on interview follow-up. Often, it is the dedication of an interviewee that lures a job opportunity right to their doorstep. Following up after the job interviews creates a sense of responsibility between the employer and the employee. However, you should avoid aggressive follow-up as it will come out as a desperate interview mistake.
9. Be attentive: Prioritizing self-needs and talking endlessly about your expectation can look egotistical on your part. Remember, the company is hiring you because of your skills and you must be attentive to the company goals- that is your core interview guide.
   It is not a rare situation where hundreds of applicants blow their chances of a good job interview by committing silly mistakes. This is mainly because the candidates lack interview skills and tactics required for job market-standards. We have tapped this area and strived to bridge the gap between employers and employees through:

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Enroll today and make a difference in your next interview by upgrading your job skills.