The 5 Things You Should Never Do During A Job Interview

The job interview will be the first time that your prospective employers will be seeing you in person. Interviewers will definitely put you under the microscope during your job interview, and there is a reason why many human resources and hiring managers have psychology degrees. They will not just listen to your answers to their questions, but they will also study various aspects of your behavior from your clothes to your handshake. They will look for visual cues on your potential as an employee. Some of your actions can be deal breakers.

Here are five things that should never do when called in for a job interview:

Fail to Arrive on Time

Arriving late for your scheduled job interview is probably the wrong first impression you will ever make. It is disrespectful to the interviewer. It will also imply that if they were to hire you, chances are you will be continually late in reporting to work as well. If you are late, it will also have an impact on how you will handle your interview because being rushed will just stress you out even more, and you might end up blowing it.

When receiving the invitation for interview, ask for directions, and map it out. You want to leave the house early and give yourself some extra time to navigate traffic and in case you get lost. If possible, you want to arrive 20 minutes ahead of schedule so you have time to compose yourself and touch up on grooming.

Dress Inappropriately

Most companies have employee rules and regulations. Usually dress codes are parts of those rules. The way you look will have the greatest impact on your interviewer during the first 30 seconds of meeting each other, and you want to avoid dressing sloppily or provocatively. Dressing professionally implies that you plan on taking the interview and the job seriously. Even if the dress code is smart casual, show up in a conservative dark suit and well-polished shoes. Good grooming also makes a difference. You do not use very colorful makeup or strong perfume, and you want to arrive early so that you can double check your appearance before the interview.

Fail to Prepare and Do Research

Your job interview is not the appropriate time to be asking about the company background. Researching the company is something you should have done while preparing for your job interview. At the very least you should know something about the company history, the more prominent executives, the industry they operate in, the business that they engage in, and the competitors that they have. With the help of modern technology, it is very easy to visit the company website and access this information. A little preparation will go a long way at your interview, and you might even impress the interviewer with your knowledge.

To avoid drawing a blank when asked a question, it is to your benefit if you prepare for any questions that the interviewer might ask. This way, you should be able to answer them in a comprehensive and confident manner. You might want to take the time to practice with a friend beforehand.

Negotiate Salary and Benefits

Let’s be realistic-one of your primary considerations when applying for a job is the financial remuneration that you get in the form of the salary and benefits packages. However, you should never, ever ask about the salary scale during your first interview. Don’t even bother to start the negotiation process during that time. You will just come off as presumptuous and arrogant to the interviewer. You haven’t even gotten the job, and you are already fighting for a salary that isn’t yours yet. You will have enough time for negotiation once the job offer is on the table. Focus on getting hired first.

Bad Mouth Anyone

It would be a safe bet that interviewers will ask about your previous employers and the reason for your application. It’s considered bad form to answer those questions in a negative manner. You don’t want to look like a complainer. You should never rant about your previous employer. The business world is quite small, especially if you are looking at changing jobs in the same industry. Companies often do business with one another. You will never know if the company you are interviewing for has links with your previous company and your former bosses.

Instead of complaining or bad mouthing your former place work, spin it so that it puts you in a positive light. Identify new opportunities and challenges that were not available with your previous job. Show that you are ready to take on these challenges.

Call to Action

Can you name some of the many other dos and don’ts that can make or break your job interview?