5 Mistakes to Avoid During a Job Interview

It is inevitable that interview mistakes will occur; what matters is the extent of the mistake. It is never comfortable to be judged by a stranger. You act desperate when you have less than $500 in the bank.

The number of mistakes you can make during an interview is endless, from showing up five minutes late to not asking questions.

Tip: Stay in conversation-mode with your interviewer by asking questions throughout the interview.

Based on all the interview mistakes I have seen (once a candidate brought a snack), here are five mistakes I frequently see:

1. OVER-INQUIRING ABOUT COMPANY CULTURE

I get it; you want to ensure the company's culture will not negatively affect you.

Here is the thing: do you really expect your interviewer to tell you the "actual truth" about their company's culture? You will get answers like, "We're a family around here," or "We value our employees. For example, we have monthly BBQs."

You will never hear:

• "Well, there's Kevin. He's been with us for 32 years, well past his prime, but to get rid of him would be costly. So, we keep him around, and his colleagues pick up his slack."
• "Veronica in purchasing is great at her job, but watch your back if you're not in her good books."
• "We haven't given out raises in three years. The pandemic has had a huge impact on our revenue."

When discussing the company's culture with your interviewer, keep human dynamics in mind. Your interviewer might enjoy working for the company, but that does not mean you will. Moreover, your interviewer is not going to bad-mouth their employer. Furthermore, "culture" is never uniform from department to department, especially within a large company.

Yes, culture is critically important. First, focus on selling your interviewer that you are a good fit for the job, then discuss the company's culture. I have had candidates who spent 50 per cent of the interview asking me about the company's culture instead of explaining why they would be a good fit for the job. If you want the truth — and you should — regarding a company's culture, speak to current and past employees. (LinkedIn is your friend.)

2. SELLING YOUR EDUCATION AND UPSKILLING ACCOMPLISHMENTS

I do not have high regard for diplomas and certificates. I do have high regard for a candidate's real-world experience. We are bombarded with marketing for degrees, certifications, programs and workshops that promise career success. Considering all the education candidates have, why do I have trouble finding candidates with:

• Clear, concise writing skills;
• Above-average verbal communication skills; and
• Analytical skills and the ability to think critically?

Educational institutions are in the business of churning out students. Therefore, obtaining an "I completed" piece of paper without having learned or demonstrated fundamental skills is common.

Hyping your "accreditation" makes it hard for your interviewer to determine your actual skills. Do your interviewer and yourself a big favour: emphasize your relevant, tangible experiences that prove you possess the skills you claim.

3. OVERUSING 'I'

Often, candidates focus too much on themselves; hence, they come across as being self-centred. Candidates talk about their expectations, career plans and how the job will help them gain valuable experience and skills. Your career is your responsibility, not your employer's. Instead, explain how you can bring unique value to the company and how hiring you would be a win-win partnership.

4. NOT SHOWING CONFIDENCE

Lack of confidence is the number 1 reason I reject a candidate. Why should I believe in you if you do not?

I can only speak for myself; therefore, take what I am about to tell you with a grain of salt. I prefer candidates with a high level of self-confidence, often bordering on arrogance. I understand candidates fear they will come off as egotistical. You will greatly benefit your job search and career by finding that sweet spot where you can sell yourself without sounding too good to be true.

Boasting is never well received. But on the other hand, underselling yourself will hinder your interview success.

5. PRESUMING YOU MUST KNOW EVERY ANSWER

In general, candidates struggle with saying, "I don't know." However, this sentiment can be expressed more authentically.

When being questioned, start by speaking to whatever sounds familiar to you. As for the parts that are not familiar, say something along the lines of:

• "I'm not familiar with what you're referring to. However, it sounds like X, which I used in my last company." (Then talk about X.)
• "I imagine it works like X, which I used while working at Grafton Inc. I'll make it a priority to familiarize myself with it before my start date."

Whatever you do, do not attempt to pretend something, be it software, a process, machinery or knowledge of government regulations, is familiar to you. Hiring managers, especially those who have been around for a while, have a keen sense of detecting when someone is exaggerating.

Always adhere to the golden rule of interviewing: Be honest.