Top 10 Interview Mistakes to Avoid – Part 1 – Twin Cities

Are you afraid of making mistakes in the interview? That’s probably a good thing, because overconfidence can be a problem. Finding the right tension level depends on being able to avoid expected mistakes. These 20 do not represent a comprehensive list, but they are a good starting point.

Mistake 1: Do any of the things you’ve seen on sitcoms. Just to be safe, don’t sip your coffee, don’t call your interviewer by the wrong name, and don’t push someone in the elevator without realizing that they’re your interviewer. Please, don’t wear dangerous clothing. Wardrobe mishap”…you get the idea. These are easy to avoid as they are easily the result of interview mistakes.

Next, read about the more subtle boo boos you might not even know you’re having.

Mistake 2: Don’t ask for details when scheduling an interview. The basics are covered in the invitation, but there are other details to consider. For example, by knowing the length of the meeting, you can estimate the number of questions (expect 5 or 6 questions per 30 minutes). Similarly, knowing who will be present can help you anticipate the questions themselves.

For more information, please contact the person making the arrangements. If that works, try some more: Will the process involve multiple interviews? How many candidates are expected? You can learn a lot by being polite and kind.

Mistake 3: My schedule is too tight. With many interviews taking place online, it can be tempting to cram meetings into your girlfriend’s already tight day. That’s a bad idea, but it’s even worse when you do it in an in-person session. Consider that a one-hour interview can easily double if you meet with another work group or take a tour. If you’re overbooked, you’ll have to turn down these opportunities.

Mistake 4: Not researching the organization or competitors. The more you know, the better answers you will get. For example, if you are asked about the possibility of starting a particular program, your answer will be strengthened if you know what programs this group or its competitors have already started.

Mistake 5: I don’t have a strategy in place. Candidates often approach interviews with a wait-and-see attitude. (Like, “Let’s wait and see what questions they ask.”) It’s a tactic, not a strategy. To ensure the interviewer learns what he needs to learn from you, plan to include two or three key messages and examples of previous successes. Carefully identifying the best skills for the job will dramatically improve your performance.

Mistake 6: Go to the face-to-face interview empty-handed. At a minimum, bring a notepad, pen, and resume neatly packed in a professional portfolio or briefcase. Please include any items you forgot, such as letters of recommendation or work samples, for additional credit.

Mistake 7: It looks disorganized. For in-person meetings, organization looks like this: We carry too much stuff, we shuffle our papers, we reach into our bags over and over again for various things, we crumple up like TV detectives. In the case of remote meetings, disruptions include not adjusting the camera position properly, not realizing the microphone is turned off, using inappropriate lighting, or having children or pets in the background. , it looks like things like looking down while shuffling papers.

The solution here is to remove as much “extra stuff” as possible. That means he leaves his coat in his car for in-person meetings and carries one simple case to grab things as soon as he sits down at the interview table. For remote meetings, you should practice in advance and choose a closed, distraction-free space.

Mistake 8: Don’t greet everyone. A warm and professional handshake has traditionally been seen as a sign of confidence and trustworthiness. You will need to decide whether physical contact is appropriate, but everyone should be greeted in some way. During a remote meeting, you can also send a short message such as, “I’m very happy to talk to you as a group today. I’m also looking forward to a personal conversation. Thank you.” ABC has an exciting team. ”

Mistake 9: I don’t manage my mobile phone. If you have a reason to be accessible, tell the interviewer first. Otherwise, whether your meeting is in-person or remote, keep your phone out of sight and don’t let it ring so you don’t check it habitually.

Mistake #10: Don’t ask the question before answering. If you’re nervous, you may reply too quickly, but it’s important to listen carefully to the question before replying. Otherwise, you risk providing partial answers or completely incorrect information. Similarly, if you’re not sure whether you understand a question, asking for clarification is better than moving on.

Well, we’ve reached the first 10. Tune in next week for the second half of Top 20 Interview Mistakes to Avoid.