So you have been frantically sending out your CV to hundreds of employers and not heard anything for months. Then you finally get the call you have been waiting for – you have been granted an interview! In all the excitement, you end up saying and doing the wrong things during the actual interview.
Here are a few tips of things NOT to do at a job interview:
1. Bad-mouthing your previous boss
If you were fired from your last job or had a terrible experience with your previous boss, when asked the standard question of ‘why did you leave your last job?’ you would probably start ranting and raving about all the ways your old employer wronged you. Although you may believe that you have every right to bad-mouth your old boss, DON’T DO IT! The interviewer is bound to wonder ‘Will this person say the same things about me in some future interview, too?’
2. Asking the wrong questions
During the interview, you will be asked if you have any questions for the interviewer/s. Although aspects such as the company’s health insurance plans, study-leave policy and parking availabilities may seem important to you – DON’T ASK ABOUT THEM! Definitely not during the first interview as these are trivial to your future employers. Instead, focus the conversation on the role you are meant to play and the organization.
3. Acting too desperate
Although employers are looking for enthusiastic people who are good at their jobs, they are not too impressed with candidates whose every word and action conveys the message ‘Please hire me, I beg you I beg you.’ DON’T ACT DESPERATE. Smart candidates keep calm and focused and are aware of their own value on the job market.
