10 Ways You Can Screw Up Your Interview

Here are 10 easy ways you can screw up your interview.

1. Dressing inappropriately. Surprisingly, some people actually wear jeans or shorts to an interview. Even if the industry you’re applying to is casual, you should still wear dress pants and a formal top. Dressing too casual is a sign you’re not serious about the position.

2. Being rude. Believe it or not, some people actually take a phone call during the interview. Needless to say, this will NOT win you any brownie points with interviewers. You should also be sure to spit out your gum before the interview. It’s distracting and takes away from your professionalism.

3. Bad-mouthing your current boss or company. Ever heard the phrase “it’s a small world”? In many industries, people have worked with many different professionals over the years. You never know if a former boss knows someone at this new company. If you do this, it also worries employers that you may speak badly about them in the future and that you might not be a team player.

4. Distracting or confusing body language. Practice appropriate body language with a friend before you interview. Leaning back in the interview can make you appear lazy while leaning forward may come off as aggressive. Try to sit up straight, don’t cross your arms and beware of any nervous tendencies you have, such as biting your nails or twirling your hair. Demonstrate active listening so that the interviewer knows you’re interested and paying attention. There’s nothing worse than coming off as disinterested in your interview.

5. Complaining. No matter how much traffic there was on the road or how terrible the weather outside, try to avoid complaining to your interviewers. Some interviewers may not mind it, but for others it will form their first impression of you. Don’t let it set you off on the wrong tone.

6. Arriving late for the interview. Hiring managers and interviewers are busy people. If you waste their time by being late to the interview, you’re not going to make a good impression. Many interviewers will discard your application just for being late.

7. Not doing your homework. This is one of the most frequent complaints made by employers. Many candidates don’t know much about the company they’re interviewing for, making employers question how much they really want the position. A little research goes a long way. At least check out the website, board members and an annual report before you go for your interview.

8. Talking extensively about your personal life. You should be personable and provide details about questions asked, however there’s nothing worse for interviewers than candidates talking too much about irrelevant information, keeping the interview from progressing. Try not to bring up too many personal details unless prompted to by the interviewer.

9. Not asking enough questions. If you’re not asking questions, employers don’t think you’re serious about the position. Ask questions that show you’ve done your research and that relate to the position you’re applying for.

10. Putting your foot in your mouth. There are a lot of ways you can put your foot in your mouth without even realizing it. In order to avoid this, pay attention to the interviewer’s reaction if they look shocked at something you just said, it’s best to stop and apologize and try to set it right again.

The job search is difficult enough without ruining your chances in the job interview. Practice your job interviewing skills beforehand and make sure you don’t make these simple interview mistakes. The more prepared you are, the more confident you’ll be in the interview and you’ll be on your way to landing your next job.