Don’t Make These Costly First Interview Mistakes!

You can never take a first impression for granted, especially in an interview! When you’re being judged compared to your peers, every little fact can make or break your chances of getting the job. Even the smallest mistake can be costly.

You always want to stand out in an interview—just make sure it’s for a good reason! We’ll analyze some of the most frequent mistakes job seekers make in the quest for a new career. Commit these penalties at your own peril!

Arriving late

This is an obvious one, but you should make sure you’re able to be on time for your interview. Outside circumstances obviously happen, but account for potential hiccups by making extra time. It’s the best practice to arrive a few minutes early anyway. Make sure to research the proper route to the physical location, or make sure all distractions are accounted for if it’s a phone or video interview. Appearing unprepared is a great way to not get the job.

Not researching the organization

Speaking of a lack of preparation, if your early questions for your interviewer consist of “what does this company do?” or “what do you do here?” you’ve just shown your hand that you didn’t do prior research.

PushFar states “what do you know about our company?” as one of the most common questions you’ll be asked by an interviewer. While they may have their own spiel to give you about their organization, they’ll expect you to have done some research. Going into the interview blind gives an impression of a lack of interest and drive, and they may think you don’t care about the position.

We always recommend doing your prior research before getting to your interview, in fact, you should do this research before even applying to see if it’s a place you want to work for. Sophia Bernazzani says you can prove you’ve done your homework by asking questions related to the interviewer and their accomplishments.

“”I read that you helped launch a new product last year. How was that experience?”

Ask a question that shows you’ve done your research – and starts an interesting discussion.” -Sophia Bernazzani

In a similar vein, avoid saying “I don’t know” to any questions you’re asked. This shows not only a lack of preparation but creativity as well. Even if the question is tough, ask for a moment to gather your thoughts and at least try to come up with something.

Saying “It’s on my resume.”

When applying for jobs, needing to retype information easily found on your resume is a chore, and not every website has adapted to a modern job search. But when an interviewer asks about your past experiences, don’t refer them to your resume in a tiff. There’s a reason they are asking, and it doesn’t have to do with them not doing their research!

“If a recruiter is asking you about a certain skill, don’t reference your resume, and instead use it as your moment to shine.” –Nando Rodriguez, Ogilvy & Mather

Forbes’ Jack Kelly discusses that many job seekers will get offended and assume the interviewer isn’t prepared, but this isn’t the case. The interviewer wants to hear you communicate your skills and accomplishments and ideally relate them to how you’ll use them in this new position. They want to gauge your social skills and see how you articulate your abilities in person.

Letting the conversation become too casual

We’ve said that when an interview turns conversational, that’s usually a good time. Being able to connect with the hiring manager and prove you’ll be a good cultural fit is great, but recall that you’re still in an interview. Don’t mistake of letting things become too casual.

It’s never good to start dropping swears in an interview setting, even if the hiring manager does, reminds Sophia Bernazzani. Stay alert even when things take a personal turn, and make sure you won’t say anything you’ll regret just because you feel comfortable in the moment.

“You are less likely to use unprofessional language during an interview when you slow down, take your time to think about your response and focus on speaking clearly.” –Indeed

Badmouthing previous employers

This is a point we stress often, but it’s never a good idea to bash your previous employer, even if your last job was the actual worst. Think of it like dating—no one ever wants to hear their date talk about their ex the entire time.

The Muse says to at least focus on something you learned at your previous job while keeping a neutral or positive tone. While the interviewer will definitely ask about your previous job, they care most about what you can do for them. Focus on the future, not the past!

Wrap up

Even if some of these tips seem obvious, it can be easy to let a mistake slip in the heat of the moment. The more preparation you accomplish, the less likely you are to commit one of these errors. Self-awareness is at the heart of a good interview, and understanding the pitfalls other job seekers commonly make can help you avoid their unfortunate path.

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Five Signs Your Interview Is Going Well

As a job seeker, you’ll spend a lot of time preparing for interviews (hopefully using some of our helpful resources!). There’s a lot to cover when preparing for interviews, as you want to do the necessary research, practice accordingly, and stand out (in a good way). We’ve often covered the pitfalls you can fall into during interviews, so let’s try the opposite approach. How can you know that your interview is going well?

If you’ve done the proper work beforehand and know the signs to look for, there are clear signals things are going your way. Watch for these green flags at your next interview, and that coveted job may soon be yours!

The interview ran long

Interviewers set a certain amount of time aside for each interview for a reason. If things aren’t going well, you likely won’t use the allotted time. But if the interviewer keeps chatting and asking you questions and there’s a delightful back and forth, it shows a clear interest in you as a candidate.

Time is money, friend, and recruiters don’t want to squander it. Career coach Emily Liou says that recruiters don’t want to waste either party’s time if it’s not a good match. “But when we found a stellar candidate, we would try to spend additional time to flush out what we needed to know to make an informed decision,” Liou said.

Just like when on a date, if you find yourself talking long after expecting to go home, things are going well. You may even get offered a second interview right away to continue the conversation!

You meet other team members

Depending on the position, relevant staff members you’d potentially work with may sit in on the interview. But if your interviewers take you on a tour of the office and introduce you to potential coworkers, that’s a very good sign.

According to Indeed, this is because they think you’re a good fit for the company’s environment and are excited to introduce you to the team. Remember, companies aren’t just looking for skills but for someone that aligns with their corporate culture and chemistry.

“If you got to meet some management or upper-management staff, take it as a good sign that you’re being seriously considered for the role.” –Alison Doyle

The interviewer sells you on the company

In any interview, you’re interviewing the company as much as they are interviewing you. You’re choosing to work there just as much as they’re choosing to hire you.

Zippia’s Sky Ariella says there will be a subtle shift from the interviewer learning about your skills and experiences to giving you the hard sell on the company. This includes discussing the culture, the company perks, exciting landmarks, and your day-to-day duties. If they want you to like the company, it’s a good sign they want you at the company. And seeing their excitement is a valuable window into the corporate culture. If they seem to genuinely be excited about what they are offering and it doesn’t feel like a canned pitch, that’s a green flag.

It’s even better if it seems to take a tangible turn. If they say “This is where you’ll be working,” or “You’ll work with these team members,” they may already be thinking of you as a team member.

The conversation turns casual

Again, organizations want to hire people they think will be a good fit for their team. No one is going to hire someone they don’t want to work with no matter how qualified you are. It’s always good to find a way to connect with your interviewer on a more personal level to build rapport and stand out.

Forbes’ Jack Kelly points to the subtle moment when the conversation turns from prepared questions to genuine personal conversation. If they start pointing out things in common and looking for shared personal experiences, they’re likely viewing you as a person they could work with.

“The interviewer stops with the standard corporate, cold and clinical facade that human resource professionals and hiring managers put on to show that they are serious and mean business, and starts smiling and laughing.” -Jack Kelly

The body language is positive

Perhaps the easiest way to tell if you’re nailing the interview is by judging the body language of your interviewer. We can learn to control our physical and verbal ticks, but some behaviors still shine through.

James Hawley writes that an engaged interviewer will nod, smile, and argue with things you say while opening the floor for you to elaborate. The more engaged they seem and the more they invite you to say, the better you’re doing.

“Does the recruiter seem engaged with what you’re saying? Are they leaning forward when you say something particularly incisive? Smiling? Do their eyes have some spark in them?” –Elliot Kaplan

Wrap up

You won’t get every interview you feel good about, but these examples are clear indicators you’re doing well. An interview has just as much to do with your personality and culture fit as it does your skills, and if you find the conversation flowing and the vibe to your liking, that’s an excellent sign the job may be yours.

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How To Answer “Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?”

Today’s career paths are much more nonlinear than they were years ago. There’s a high chance you won’t stay with the same organization throughout your entire career. Even if you like your job, outside circumstances may change things, including layoffs, the need to relocate, or something unexpected like the pandemic.

Hopefully, you can leave the organization on good terms and have a valuable reference down the road. Whether on good terms or bad, you’ll need to be prepared for interviewers to ask, “Why did you leave your last job?”

Why do employers ask this? According to Job Search Strategist Hannah Morgan, it’s because future employers genuinely want to know, and they learn a lot about you based on your response.

Make sure not to alienate yourself with your new employer with a bad answer on why you left your previous one. Take time to prepare, and embrace these philosophies before you answer why you left your last job.

“Asking you why you left your last job helps the employer understand you – your motivation, how you handle challenging situations, and your goals. They are looking for any red flags that may eliminate you such as reoccurring issues with bosses.” -Hannah Morgan

Be honest

The first unmistakable tip is to be as honest as you can with the interviewer. You might not have left your last organization on the best terms, and it happens. But it’s easy for employers to find out the truth. The new organization may contact your old one, and you don’t want to put your references in an awkward position by lying to them and forcing them to perpetuate your lie. If you lie, it will come back to bite, and you’ll look even worse.

“If you have to spill the beans, be sure to stay unemotional, calm, and even-toned in your responses. Try to take the spotlight off the negative and focus on what you’re hoping to be involved with in your potential new role.” -Jennifer Parris

If you were fired or laid off, you need to be honest about it, but these aren’t necessarily deal-breakers for a new company. Natalia Autenrieth says to own your part in whatever may have happened and find a positive that came from the experience. Be truthful, but focus only on the facts and what you bring to the organization.

Indeed reminds us that that doesn’t mean you have to reveal every detail though. Stick to the relevant facts and move on quickly. You can answer the question honestly without making negative remarks about your previous employer.

Be positive

Your previous job might actually deserve potential negative remarks. There are many organizations with outdated practices that contribute to a toxic environment. No need to sugarcoat it—many jobs suck!

But this isn’t what your potential employer wants to hear. Just as you wouldn’t want to talk about your ex on a date, badmouthing your “ex” in an interview makes you look petty and as though you focus on the negative. There are two sides to every story, and your side may not appear as clear-cut to an outsider. And the new employer might wonder how you’ll speak about them in the future.

Instead, learn how to spin things in a positive direction. Lily Zhang suggests always including a positive about the last organization while still being honest. If you want to advance your career, you can talk about the need to find growth and a challenge. If the leadership is bad, you can talk about how you love the mission of your last company but think you need a different sort of environment to succeed.

Focus on the future

Your potential employer has a genuine interest in why you left your last job because it provides them clues on what type of person you are. You aren’t in taking a meeting to go over old news—you’re there to provide value to a new organization. So while answering this question in as honest and as positive a manner as you possibly can, make sure to tie things into what you offer the new company.

If you weren’t happy with the work you were doing or the growth opportunities your old job provided, you can turn this into a positive for your new employer, Hannah Morgan writes. It shows that you’re taking charge and looking for a change, and it paints you as someone who is proactive in dealing with an issue.

FlexJobs’ Jennifer Parris says to be confident when answering this question. Almost everyone leaves a job at some point in their lives. Answering with confidence while being truthful and positive shows that you’ve left that position behind you and that you’re looking forward and ready for new challenges in a new role.

Wrap up

Don’t bring the baggage of a discarded job with you to a new one. Employers want to know why you left your last job so that they can get a sense of what type of employee you’ll be for them. Be honest and positive, even if you didn’t love your last job. Keep things focused on the future and what you bring to the table. Practice your responses, and you’ll position yourself as the ideal candidate!

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How To Become An Enthralling Storyteller

At my last job, I was a senior assistant at a finance company. The boss, Mr. Gould, was tall, kinda short. Lightish-dark hair. I remember he had this little dog he would bring into the office named Horton. Or was it Morton? Anyway, I’m sorry, what was the question?

If you’ve made it past this nonsensical anecdote, bravo! A well-told story can leave an impression on your audience and create personal investment. But a poorly-told story, like the one above, incites confusion and boredom. Bestselling author Kindra Hall believes good storytellers are able to build a connection and differentiate themselves from the competition.

“Given a choice between listening to statistics or facts or listening to a story, people will always choose a story. And stories stick with them longer.” -Kindra Hall

Whether you’re interviewing for a new job or becoming a leader in your field, the ability to be a good storyteller is crucial to succeeding in the business world. If you’re looking to enhance your oratory skills with a sense of eloquence and excitement, follow these storytelling cues.

Have a point

A good story leaves an imprint because it has a purpose. No matter how elegant you tell your tale, no one will be interested if the story doesn’t have meaning. The time you found the last bag of oyster crackers at Aldi won’t hold up next to the Iliad.

Skillshare Blog believes there should be a payoff for the listener, not just the storyteller. Even if it isn’t known to the audience until the end of the tale, make sure there is a central message somewhere in your story.

Cut the bloat

Think of a time someone bored you with a story you weren’t interested in. Chances are, the story droned on, and on, and on. One of the classic blunders used by less-proficient storytellers is bogging the story down with too many unnecessary details. In the example story at the top of this article, my story about a previous job focused far too much energy on the boss’ appearance and little details about his life.

Forbes Lisa Christen reminds us of the classic sad short story “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” In just six words, we have a full story. Let every individual word drive the story forward while trusting the audience to be able to fill in the blanks. Your audience is smart but uninformed; they’ll be able to understand your meanings.

While some background information is required, keep it to the necessary bits only, reminds Anett Grant of Fast Company.

“[S]et the scene for your audience in the most concise way possible, telling them only what they need to know to comprehend your key takeaway.” -Anett Grant

Hit emotional beats

If your chronicle is going to stay in the audiences’ mind, it needs to be more than hard facts. The reason you tell a story is to foster a connection, and simply providing the who/what/where/when doesn’t cut it.

Kindra Hall believes a successful story has four components: an identifiable character, authentic emotion, a moment, and specific (relevant!) details. This character (often you!) should experience real emotions and have a defining moment, ie the purpose of the story.

Think in terms of an interviewer asking you a challenge you’ve overcome in the workplace. You’ll leave a long-lasting impression if the story is personal and authentic. Don’t just hit the bullet points; really try to highlight the conflict and how you overcame it. Skillshare Blog points out that the conflict is what keeps an audience engaged.

“An easy and linear path to the finish line isn’t going to keep your audience engaged. Instead, you want your characters to face obstacles—and a decent amount of drama—as they journey on their path.”- Skillshare Blog

You’ll be much more likely to get a follow-up call if your story resonates with the hiring managers.

Keep it simple

Tying back to the idea your story should have a point, once you’ve made that point it’s okay to end the story. Anett Grant reminds us that humans have a short attention span; they say to keep the story like a shot clock in basketball. Get your points across and move on. There is no faster way to lose your audience than to ramble on and have them zone out and forget the point you were making.

Practice

While storytelling may not be the same as public speaking, a fear of many, many of the principles remain the same. Practice your delivery at home while following the above advice. Repetition leads to comfort and confidence. Whether your audience is one person or one hundred, you’ll be able to self-scout and recognize what is and isn’t working.

Skillshare Blog further recommends looking to those who have mastered the art of storytelling to improve. Think of your favorite storytellers and read or listen to their tales. Ask yourself why the story works and how you can adapt those techniques yourself.

Wrap up

Storytelling is a vital skill to master for your professional career. As a job seeker, it will allow you to stick in the hiring manager’s mind after the interview, leading to more follow-ups. As a leader, you’ll find yourself connecting with your team and inspiring them to new heights. It can allow you to resonate with customers, leading to more sales and satisfied clients. Some people are natural storytellers, but with a little effort, anyone can become a masterful storyteller.

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Interview Guide: Setting Up A Mock Job Interview

Top-tier candidates are well aware of their need to research the employer/interviewer and prepare specific answers and questions. However, researching and preparing notes can only get you so far. One of the best methods to increase your readiness level is experience, which can be replicated through an organized mock interview. Rehearsing an upcoming job interview is a great strategy to boost confidence and refine interpersonal skills in a safe, low-risk environment.

What is a mock interview? It does not involve the actual employer but instead operates as a role-playing exercise enlisting the support of a career mentor, a former professor or colleague, or a close friend/family member. 

What are the benefits? Walking through the interview process without real pressure allows the analysis of your strengths and weaknesses when attempting to market yourself effectively. Highlighting your strengths will help you sound more personable and less rehearsed. It also allows you to forge thoughtful responses, improve nonverbal communication, and eliminate ‘filler’ words such as ‘um,’ ‘uh,’ and ‘like.’

Courtesy of the career experts at Indeed, we reveal seven steps to take in preparation for your mock interview and how to make the most of it:

1. Dress appropriately.

Your interview attire is the genuine first impression for the employer, and it has the power to positively or negatively impact your candidacy. Don’t just roll out of bed knowing the interview isn’t for real or is being conducted virtually; the way you dress has the power to impact how you conduct yourself. You’ll want to hear feedback on how you presented yourself, and that includes your attire. Any signs of laziness or disinterest will carry over into your real-life interview in ways you may not realize. 

2. Mimic the interview setting.

Whether online, in-person, or over the phone, make a conscious effort to emulate your interview setting to the best of your ability. Setting the proper scene will allow you to feel more comfortable and attuned to the environment. For example, if your prospective employer already sent you the address to a local coffee shop, utilize the knowledge to your advantage by inviting your mock interviewer to the exact location. Take into consideration the noise volume, physical surroundings, and size of the tables where you will place your resume and other documents. If the employer sent you a Zoom invite, request that your mock interviewer do the same and isolate yourself into a quiet, enclosed area with a quality internet connection.

3. Choose the right interviewer.

Whether it is a close family member or friend, or a career mentor, make sure your choice is someone capable of asking tough questions, detail-centric, and willing to provide honest feedback. Another great option is to tap into your university’s career center or alumni center to check if they offer mock interviews with their faculty. 

4. Bring your resume and other necessary materials.

Be thorough in your document presentation by bringing extra copies of your resume, portfolio, a notepad, and written references. Aim to discover your mock interviewer’s thoughts on your materials and what else your intended industry and position may demand. 

Be sure to review Indeed’s Job Interview Walkthrough [Video] in their new ‘Job Science’ segment here.

5. Take your time answering questions.

In their ‘Job Science’ segment, a spin-off of ESPN’s Sport Science, Indeed aims to review and dissect the interview experience through data analysis. In their mock video, the moderator recognizes the importance of being patient in conversation and not rushing into a response.

Your interviewer wants to hear what makes you unique and what you can bring to the table. If forming an honest answer requires you to briefly pause in thought, aligning your past experiences with future goals, your interviewer will admire your poise.

One excellent method to providing thoughtful answers with real-life examples is through the STAR Approach. These four steps will allow you to walk through all the basic interview questions without rambling on. You can get your best stories out there and take advantage of every opportunity to connect with your interviewer, but leave it up to them to ask you for more details.

  • Situation – Set the story and provide all the necessary details of your example.
  • Task – Describe the responsibility given to you and, if applicable, how it’s tied to an overarching goal
  • Action – Thoroughly explain what steps you took and WHY.
  • Results – Reveal how the outcome was for the greater good of the company, not just yourself.

6. Research the company.

Any interviewer will notice right away if you failed to conduct fundamental research into their website. Asking overly basic questions about their core values, mission statement, top competitors, or target audience will reveal a lack of preparation and interest. Asking questions you can quickly find online will be a ‘red flag’ to employers. Give respect to your interviewer and make the most of their time and yours by doing your homework.

From their blog to various social platforms, there is no reason not to view every page on their website. Additionally, visiting the company’s Glassdoor or Indeed company pages will highlight their strengths and weaknesses, as told by their employees. These links will offer a ‘behind-the-scenes’ look into their culture, highlight any awards, and provide key insight into their brand reputation. 

7. Record it.

Your mock interview will provide great experience to help you work through any nerves and constructive feedback to craft your responses in real-time. However, adding a video review will allow you to assess your body language and finetune your answers even further. Pay close attention to your posture, eye contact, voice tone/speed, and any fidgeting you may want to extract. If you notice any wordiness, overuse of ‘filler words,’ or a lack of confidence, you may want to work through your responses and set up another mock interview. 

Wrap Up

Assess your interview skills and ensure your level of preparedness following TopResume’s list of questions here.

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