5 of The Biggest Interview Mistakes

So you finally got asked to interview? Congrats! During a job search, this is the part that can drive people to the verge of madness. From interview preparation to the big day, it can cause you to be nervous and stressed out. The worst part is that during the interview, these very things can make you stumble over your words and present a less than confident image.


In order to help you prepare for your next interview, here are 5 of the biggest interview mistakes to avoid:


Thinking that you're on trial - This is an interview, not interrogation. All too often, candidates walk into an interview expecting to be given the third degree and end up being stiff and only answering the questions asked. This doesn't make a very good impression. Remember that an interview is a business discussion where both parties ask questions and talk about what they have to offer and what they need. The purpose is to find out if they would be a good fit for each other.


Turning a weakness into a strength - Unless you've been living under a rock, I'm sure you've heard that age-old advice to turn one of your weaknesses into a strength when an interviewer asks you "What is your biggest weakness?". This is almost always a bad idea. Employers don't want to hear that your weakness is that you care too much or that you are a perfectionist. All they will learn from that type of answer is that you are good at avoiding telling the truth. What an interviewer wants to learn about you is how you deal with self improvement. A better answer is to pick something unrelated to the job that you are working on and tell them what you are doing to improve your skills.


Not asking questions - When the interviewer asks if you have any questions, don't just say no. Asking questions shows that you are interested in the job and want to know more. If you can't think of any questions off the top of your head, ask about the corporate culture or about the main goals for the position. Before your interview, you should have researched the company and will probably already have some legitimate questions. These kinds of questions make it clear that you have done your homework and will impress an interviewer.


Leaving your cellphone on - Turn it off. Don't just turn it on vibrate. Turn the whole thing off. No exceptions.


Waiting for them to call you - Immediately after your interview, you should send them a thank you note. A couple of days later, you should follow up with them to check on the status and ask a question. Don't make the mistake of being too timid to reach out to them. This is a job you want, so act like it. Of course, don't harass them, but a follow up call after a couple of days and then another a week later isn't harassment. However, if they ask you specifically not to call them, you should respect their wishes.


What other mistakes have you made during an interview? Please share your thoughts in the comments.