Rookie Mistakes on Your First Job Interview

Being invited to an interview is an extremely good opportunity to finally get that job, and it is usually the last step, before you receive either good or bad news. Days before the interview, we are under a lot of stress, there is no denying that, but in the end, even that is not important, if you can manage to stay cool when the interview starts.

However, many people fail to do that, and they end up making a lot of mistakes that could have been, with good preparation, avoided. Let’s clear one thing up, there is no ideal way to prepare for nailing that interview, but there are some dos and some don’ts, and with a bit of luck, you’ll avoid some mistakes that can cost you a lot.

Being over-prepared

Don’t get me wrong, knowing about the company and the position you’re applying for is crucial, and it might just be the thing that will help you get that job, but you do not want to be a know-it-all, and this is especially important if the interviewer wants to tell you something. Just listen, and nod, there is no need to show that you’ve read everything there is about the history, and the future goals of that company. If they ask you – great, but otherwise, try and relax, or at least try and seem calm.

Thinking you are in charge

Most of these mistakes are made because people took some advice too seriously. You need to be confident, but do not go overboard with it, as you want to be interesting to the interviewer. You do not want to appear like you own the world, and that every word you utter is specifically designed to make you look like the best candidate there is. You do want them to think that you are perfect for that job, but you also want to appear modest, and capable. There is a fine balance, and that is what the perfect interview is all about. Do not over exaggerate anything - being too confident is one of those things.

Telling them what they want to hear

There is no ideal person for any job, and the interviewers already know that. What they want to see is an individual who is capable, qualified, ready to learn, who is aware of its many flaws, but is ready to overcome them. Being honest can be the thing that will win them. But once again, do not be too honest, and do not reveal every major flaw of your character. It would be much more advisable to find the job that will fit you, your wishes and your needs and then, you wouldn’t need to pretend you’re something you’re not. However, most often, this is not the case, and you will need to adjust your interview to emphasize your flaws, while negating or diminishing your flaws.

Do not let them speak more than you

                                        In a  normal conversation, both sides should have equal time to speak, but when it comes to the interview, you want to be the one that will speak most of the time. This does not mean that you should talk about anything, it just means that everything you say must have its purpose, it must be concise, and to the point. Try and answer some question before they are asked, but let them engage once in a while, as you do not want to bore them. Try and get informed about a lot of things before coming in, and don’t be afraid to ask things that are not clear to you, such as the question of salary, working hours, etc.

Try to be funny, or not

There is a time and place for everything, but humor is not something that is expected at a formal interview, or in your resume. Try and make all your statements as honest as possible, but try and maintain a sense of formality, and even if you think that it is a good time for a joke, skip it. If it is an extremely informal meeting, then you might say something for a laugh or two, but just make sure that you do not touch any sensitive topic.