There’s nothing more frustrating than turning in the interview performance of your life, only to be told later on that you didn’t get the job. In some ways, it’s easier when you know what you did wrong. At least then, you can learn from your mistakes and move on.
Learnvest spoke with seven hiring managers to get their take on the mistakes people make during job interviews. Here are three that you probably never even knew you were making:
1. Failing to Gauge Your Audience
Don’t, for example, do what a candidate for a defense industry job did and brag about how you never pay your taxes. Yes, really — that’s an example from this list.
To avoid less obvious faux pas, stay up-to-date on trends in your industry and learn as much as you can about the company you’re interviewing with (and perhaps, if possible, even the person who’ll be interviewing you) before you go.
2. Having Bad Body Language
Your mouth might say, “I’m excited about this opportunity,” while your crossed arms and slumped posture say, “I’d rather be bowling.” Sit up straight, make (not too intense) eye contact, and smile. A little energy goes a long way.
3. Talking Smack About Coworkers
That goes for the people who work for you, as well as your peers and managers. No one wants to hire someone who will turn on them, and your perception of your relationship with your coworkers says as much about you as it does about them.
Tell Us What You Think
We want to hear from you! What do you think most people overlook during job interviews? Leave a comment or join the discussion on Twitter, using the hashtag #MakeItHappen.
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(Photo Credit: Forest Runner/Flickr)
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