5 Top Interview Mistakes Jessica Silverstein

5 Top Interview Mistakes

June 8 2011

The top 5 interview mistakes that I have seen repeatedly, and it is (VERY) difficult to choose just 5, are:

Candidates are unprepared. Either the job seekers don’t know enough about the company at which they are interviewing, enough about their own resumes, or they are unable to answer basic interview questions, for example their strengths and weaknesses.

Candidates appear sloppy. Either their hair and clothing is a mess or their documents are treated as garbage in their bag. Please do not hand me an updated resume with finger prints on it.

Candidates are rude to support staff in the office. The receptionist is the gatekeeper, the security guard will remember you and everyone talks. You never know who knows or who is who. We’ve been over this already [link to biggest mistake].

Candidates are late or do not show up at all, without an explanation. People are human and emergencies happen but they must be communicated. People schedule their day and an interview is always a potential opportunity. Don’t show up and don’t get in touch and they will remember your name. It is a small world, especially when applying to multiple jobs within the same industry. Communication is key!

Candidates smell bad. This one seems silly but no one can concentrate on your achievements when they can’t breathe. Your breath, your body odor and your clothing and hair all can offend an interviewer’s sense of smell. Just because you can no longer smell your own perfume doesn’t mean it’s gone. Don’t get me started on candidates who walk into my office smelling like an ashtray. I remember you later, but not in a good way.

There are countless stories of interview don’ts. If you need more, feel free to get in touch. Some people do not believe these things happen but people really do come into my office and put their feet on my desk. Besides being rude, dirty and offensive, it is overly familiar and frankly odd.

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Tags: Resume, Polite, Job Search, Interview, Jessica Silverstein, Attorney's Counsel, 85 Broads

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