1. 11 THINGS THAT YOU SHOULD NEVER DO IN A JOB INTERVIEW
Arrive Late
It may seem obvious but still people continue to arrive late for job interviews. If you are meeting face to
face then plan your route and allow a decent amount of extra time to get there in case of traffic jams
etc., if you arrive earlier than planned then spend the time further preparing for your interview. If you
are taking part in a telephone or video interview then make sure you answer at the arranged time and
allow for the interview to overrun, remove all distractions so you can focus solely on the interview.
Demonstrate a Lack of Research
Always thoroughly research the company, never assume that you know what industries they work in
and how many people they employ because you will be easily caught out. If you know who will be
interviewing you then research them, LinkedIn is great for this, people like to have their egos massaged.
Compliment them on their extensive career history or a particular project they worked on, it shows that
you know your stuff and that you are a thorough individual.
Curse or Use Offensive Language
It may seem clear that this could cost you an opportunity but it happens more often than you think and
it’s never okay. Even if the interview is relatively informal, perhaps with a friend or associate still keep to
a professional interview standard.
Wear Inappropriate Attire
Dress to impress, always ensure that you arrive for an interview immaculately turned out. Anything less
and it could indicate a lack of attention to detail or even enthusiasm to be selected for the role. Some
interviewers take appearances to mean more than others. It has been known for interviewers, after an
interview, to check the backs of people’s shoes as they walk away to see if the whole shoe or just the
normally visible top and sides have been polished.
Use Negative Body Language
Never sit with your arms crossed and staring into space. Always try to maintain a healthy level of eye
contact with the person conducting the interview, don’t stare them out! Greet your interviewer with a
smile and a firm handshake, depart with an equally firm handshake. Sit upright with a straight back
throughout the interview, never slouch in your chair, a good posture helps you to project your voice
clearly and gives a confident impression.
Mumble or Talk Too Fast
An interview can be a nerve racking time and interviewing believe it or not is a skill in itself. Failure to
project your voice clearly or speaking too quickly because you are nervous can cost you the job within
the first minute. Whilst an interviewer will expect you to be slightly nervous it is also a test as to how
well you work under pressure. Take deep breathes and slow yourself down, if you find yourself rushing
or mumbling take a few seconds to compose yourself.
Talk Negatively About Your Current or Previous Employer
A Job interview is about you selling your skills and yourself to a future employer, leave all negativity
about your current role or previous positions at the door. If asked why you are looking for a new role

2. and the reason is because you think your boss is a complete idiot, don’t mention it, simply say that you
have outgrown your current role and you are looking for a fresh challenge.
Discuss Financials or Holidays
Far too many people are so desperate to rush to the financials that it is the first question they ask, think
what that says about you. It bluntly shows that you only care about the money or taking holiday before
you have even been offered the job. Yes it might be the only thing you care about or you might be going
for a tough target driven, money motivated sales job, but think of more intelligent questions to ask.
Leave the negotiations until asked by the interviewer or when you receive a job offer.
Not Bring a Copy of Your Resume
Never assume that the manager or hiring manager has a paper copy of your CV at the interview, they
are busy people and may forget. They may also bring along additional colleagues at the last minute who
might not have a copy. Be prepared, show your organisational skills and bring along additional copies to
hand out at the interview. If you do this, make sure there are no differences between the CV you applied
with and the one you hand out!
Come Across as Arrogant
There is a fine line to tread between confidence and arrogance and this line is easily crossed in an
interview where you are trying to sell yourself. By all means come across as confident and lead with
examples of your skills, provide examples of your leadership qualities but be careful not to go off topic
and brag about yourself.
Stray From the Question
When people are nervous they tend to either not talk at all or talk non-stop. I have known senior level
managers, skilled individuals earning six figure salaries to miss out on jobs because they went off on a
tangent during the interview. Always keep the question in mind, answer it confidently, preferably with
an example that allows you to further demonstrate your point and then stop! Have the confidence to
know that you answered the question succinctly and correctly, do not go on to provide further examples
unless asked.