6 Things You Should and Shouldn't Do During a Job Interview

Thanks for the comments. @Sylvia your comment made me smile because that would be me... nervous at first but then gradually relaxing and being myself. I, ,too, have encountered those arrogant schmoozing types and I, too, have felt the same way. There has to be a happy medium when it comes to the interviewer. Confidence with being smug or arrogant will go a long way. @Lydia I have had experience selling freelance skills and I include it on my resume and discuss it during an interview. Freelance is simply working for yourself instead of being an employee of the company. I have been working freelance for about 8 years on this go-round and have worked freelance before that. Don't sell yourself short. Work is work and all work should be included and discussed, if applicable, during the interview.

While it's important not to simply stare blankly and silently at the interviewer as they ask questions, there is something authentic about a person who initially demonstrates a bit of nervousness. I always respect the candidate who stumbles at the onset, acknowledges the slight fumble and ensuing nerves, then proceeds confidently. A person who simply walks in and knows how to schmooze from the onset makes me nervous in that they come across as too arrogant, thereby making me question how they will come across to clients.

I wonder how people who do freelance work are selling this on their resumes and cover letters? I think most employers are aware of the new gig economy. Many people work full-time as freelancers these days, so if you've been freelancing for two years instead of working as a traditional, full-time employee, this time period should not be a gap on your resume. This might however be a good opportunity to talk/write about why you freelance and what you've learned from it. Does anyone else have experience selling freelance skills to potential employers?

This article makes a great point about not being negative and answering questions honestly. It can be difficult to share stories about your leadership or reasons for seeking a new job without falling into a place where you are speaking ill of a former employer or supervisor, but is so crucial to have an answer prepared that allows you to do just that.

Thanks @Katharine and @Laura for your comments. I understand what you are saying @Laura but I think that even under those circumstances I would not talk negatively about any past or present companies or employers. It always seems to come back to bite you somehow. You could simply state that, as it turned out, you were not a good fit for the position and just let it go at that. If the interviewer pushes, simply restate again that it was just not a good fit. You are not going to gain anything but by speaking of those employers negatively and you could be pushed out of the running for the position. I know it doesn't seem fair but you have to remember that the world is much smaller than it used to be and it's easy enough for that employer to find out who the men were. What if the interviewer knows them? That's why we try to impress upon job seekers to never use negativity.

I agree with Nancy: even if your negative feelings toward a past employer are justified, you probably shouldn't express them. I think this because the prospective employer is forming a first impression of you based on a short amount of time and a small amount of information, and if you say something negative- justified or not- you may come across as someone who is always complaining or can't get along with people.

Nancy, I disagree about negative talk if it’s the authentic truth. Sitting here today, I can instantly think of two previous, rather “cushy” jobs that I left due to the lack of integrity on the employer’s part. I saw things going on that were not aligned with my values and couldn’t support them. When asked why I left, I think it’s fine to say: “One man was eventually charged for defrauding investors and the other asked me twice to lie on federal documents that could have resulted in my imprisonment.”

@Abbey thanks for the comment. Maybe this is just a personal opinion but I don't think that you should ever talk in negative terms about any employer past or present. Maybe you were working for the competitor but still - negative talk always has a way of coming back to bite you.

I read a lot about not conveying negative feelings during interviews. I understand the concept, as you don't want the interviewer to perceive you as someone who talks badly of others. However, are there times when talking negatively about former supervisors and/or companies might actually be to some advantage? For example, if you are applying for a job with a competitor, would it be at all helpful to talk about why you disliked your former job?

I have found that by far the best way to work on these interview dos and don'ts is doing mock interviews. Practice allows you to be prepared with what to say and be authentic when saying it. Preparation of questions in advance helps with your confidence, avoiding the fidgeting and freezing that comes with being terrified. Putting these questions in a notebook also gives you something to focus on in case the interview is going badly and you need a second to get yourself together.

@Shaday thanks for your comment. If you make a mistake during the interview, just take a second to take a deep breath and then maybe try to rephrase the question back to the interviewer to be sure you understand what is being asked. They know that you are nervous and normally will not hold it against you. If you see that the interview is going bad, you have the option to stop it right there. Simply state that you can see that you would not be a good fit for the position. Thank them for their time and take your leave. Better than sitting there trying to come up with an answer that will appease the interviewer.

These suggestions do a good job of telling you how to keep the interview going well, but I think a lot of job seekers want more help on how to recover if they do make mistakes. Acting like the perfect candidate is hard, so I would imagine that most job seekers experience at least a few bad interviews before they become more polished. Do you have any suggestions for getting an interview back on track when it feels too stale or the interviewer is losing interest? What about if the interviewer has a negative reaction to your answer?

Thanks for the comments. Bottom line is that you have to be true to yourself. If you try to use someone else's words or ideas, it will look fake and the interview will probably be over.

All the tips work well, separately and depending on the situation. Several tips, though, seem at odds with others. In most circumstances, I personally do not tend to have a positive attitude... exhibiting a more negative attitude would be more authentic. The "Know What to Say" section does not feel authentic or honest. Plus, as someone who has interviewed others, far too many candidates rattle off comments similar to "Know What to Say," and most of those candidates never made it to the next round.

I definitely agree with warm greetings - as long as they seem genuine. It's very easy to pick out a fake smile and tone. Find something genuinely interesting about the person, even if you never express it, and draw on that for real warmth.

@Shannon so very true - thank you for that. What typically happens, though, is that the candidate is so nervous about the interview that they just talk and talk and talk. I have been on the interviewing side and it can be quite comical to watch. The hardest thing that a candidate can do is to sit there - quietly - waiting for the next question. Yes, read the body language of the hiring manager and you will know how to behave. His/her face will tell the whole story.

While I agree with most of these tips, I am conflicted on the idea of not dominating the interview. Some hiring managers prefer that candidates expand upon their answers. In some cases, the candidate actually answers questions while talking more, which eliminates the need for the hiring manager to ask the routine questions. Not all interviewers are out to control the interview. It's best, in my opinion, to read body language to know when to stop talking.

@Hema thanks for that. We have all been there I am sure. Take a deep breath and let it out slowly. You could reframe the question and ask it back to make sure that you are understanding what they are asking. This could open up more dialogue and make it easier to answer the question honestly than to say "I really don't know" or something like that. Always, always try to turn any negatives into positives if you can. The positivity is what they will remember.

I have to admit that in several job interviews there have been questions that caused me to freeze up momentarily. I am sure the interviewer noticed that I was at a loss for words. Are there any strategies I can use to avoid freezing up when faced with a particularly daunting question?