Three Mistakes to Avoid at Your Next Interview

There are many ways to stumble at the interview stage but we’ve lined up a couple of things to consider when you are creating a short list of key mistakes to avoid.

Finally, you’ve landed an interview with a company that has been on your radar for a while. It’s easy to get caught up in the stress of the big day itself, the key to giving yourself the best shot at success lies in doing all of the hard work in the lead-up. The way that you prepare for a job interview is critically important and can make the difference between an average interview and a fantastic one. Below, we’ve reflected on our experience in the IT recruitment industry to guide you through a few of the most common interview preparation mistakes.

Not Doing Your Homework

No matter how many times we look at this topic, this is the biggest mistake to avoid.

Going to an interview without enough preparation is like navigating a ship without a compass; you might eventually find land, but the journey will be unnecessarily stressful. The key to a successful interview is built upon thorough research and understanding of the company and the specific role for which you’re applying. Neglecting this will lead to a weak performance that fails to impress the interviewer.

In-depth knowledge of the company goes beyond a glance at their website’s front page. It involves understanding their mission, values, and the challenges they face in their industry. This knowledge not only helps you shape your responses to align with the company’s goals but also demonstrates your enthusiasm and initiative. For instance, being able to discuss how the company’s latest product launch or expansion into new markets could impact their business shows a level of insight and engagement that sets you apart from other candidates.

Equally important is a deep dive into the specifics of the role you’re applying for. Understanding the key responsibilities, required skills, and how the role contributes to the organisation’s broader objectives enables you to articulate how your background and experiences make you the ideal candidate. It also prepares you to ask insightful questions, reflecting your genuine interest in the position and your proactive approach to understanding how you can contribute to the company’s success.

At least study their social media

Social media platforms, such as LinkedIn, and the company’s press releases can be invaluable places for this research. They can provide insights into the company’s recent achievements, strategic goals, and challenges. For anything else, asking your recruiter is the best bet. They will have most of the answers you need or can point you in the right direction to find them.

If you think about it, this is basic due diligence and it goes both ways – you might find something that puts you off or needs more investigation. A good set of questions where a potential employer has a chance to speak about their company is interview gold.

Failing to Showcase Your Achievements

A job interview is your stage to shine, an opportunity to show not just what you’ve done, but how well you’ve done it. Many candidates, however, fall into the trap of just listing their previous job titles and responsibilities without drilling into their accomplishments and the real value they brought to their roles. This is a simple mistake to avoid and a missed chance to differentiate yourself in a crowded field of applicants.

To effectively present your achievements, one idea is to adopt a storytelling approach, where each achievement is presented as a narrative that includes the situation, the action you took, and the result of that action. This method, often referred to as the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) technique, allows you to convey not only what you did but also how you did it and the impact it had. For example, rather than just saying you “managed a team,” explain how you led your team through a challenging project, the strategies you employed to motivate them, and the successful outcomes achieved as a result.

It’s also important to tailor your achievements to the job you’re applying for. Highlight the accomplishments that are most relevant to the potential role and demonstrate the skills and qualities the employer is seeking. This requires a good understanding of the job description and the company’s goals, helping you select the achievements that best align with what they are looking for in the interview.

Thinking and talking about the challenges you’ve overcome can be particularly interesting as well. Sharing how you managed difficult situations, solved problems, or innovated to find new solutions shows your problem-solving abilities, resilience, and creativity; a good insight into your character and how you approach challenges.

Make an impression with good communication

In preparing for an interview, take the time to reflect on your career to date, identifying the achievements that best showcase your skills, impact, and the value you can bring to the new role. Your goal is to leave the interviewers with a strong impression of ‘you’ and the unique contributions you can make to their team.

Neglecting Non-Verbal Communication

During the interview process, the unspoken elements of communication often carry as much weight as the verbal. A jobseeker’s non-verbal cues provide a lot of detailed insights into their confidence, enthusiasm, and fit within a company culture. Unfortunately, many overlook this aspect, focusing solely on what they say and not how they present themselves, which can inadvertently send the wrong message to potential employers.

Firstly, eye contact is a fundamental component of effective non-verbal communication. It signifies confidence and honesty, establishing a connection with the interviewer. However, there’s a fine balance to strike. Constant, unblinking eye contact can appear confrontational or unnerving, while too little can seem evasive or disinterested. The goal is to maintain a natural, respectful level of eye contact that conveys your engagement and attentiveness to the conversation. Looking around the room and not at the people in front of you should be avoided.

Body language, too, plays a pivotal role. An open posture, leaning slightly forward, suggests interest and eagerness. In contrast, crossed arms or legs can imply defensiveness or discomfort, potentially erecting an invisible barrier between you and the interviewer. Mirroring the body language of your interviewer, subtly, can create a sense of rapport and harmony without crossing the boundary into mimicry, which might be perceived as inauthentic.

Reading some books on body language is a good tip

Facial expressions are equally telling. A genuine smile, not only when greeted but at appropriate moments throughout the interview, can convey warmth and approachability. It reflects a positive attitude, a trait highly valued in any work environment. Conversely, a lack of facial expressiveness might be interpreted as disinterest or apathy toward the position or the company.

Importantly, gestures should complement your verbal communication, adding emphasis and clarity to your points without becoming distracting. Overly flamboyant gestures might detract from the substance of your message, while a lack of gesturing can make you appear stiff and rehearsed.

Lastly, how you enter and exit the room plays a role in setting the tone for the interview. A confident stride and a firm handshake project professionalism and self-assurance from the outset. Similarly, how you say goodbye and exit can leave a lasting impression, reinforcing the positive image you’ve worked to build throughout the interview.

Summary

No matter the level of your career, when it comes to interviews, the importance of preparation cannot be overstated. To give yourself the best chance of landing the job you want, consider these mistakes to avoid and put aside the time to research and prepare. Remember, the more insight you are equipped with, the better your answers will come across.

For more advice on how to prepare for an interview or if you’re looking for your next IT job, get in touch today – we’re always happy to help.