Acing an interview process is not only about knowing the right answers to possible interview questions but also involves how well you present your train of thought, your composure, and many other factors.
It is easy to make a mistake while going through an interview without knowing you made one.
Here are some common interview mistakes people make before or during an interview;
- Not knowing anything about the company:
This is one of the biggest interview mistakes most job seekers make. With the help of the internet, researching anything including information about several companies has been made easy.
For companies that have a website, vital information such as locations, divisions, and a mission statement.
You can also read and follow the company’s social channels such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and wherever they are active. Be prepared to answer questions like;
- What is it that interests you about the company?
- What do we do here at the company?
Researching about the company beforehand would also help you ask meaningful questions and clear any doubts you have.
- Not being prepared to answer interview questions:
Your interviewer will likely ask you more questions beyond the fundamentals of where and when you worked. This is to enable your employee to learn as much as possible about you as an employee and gauge your suitability for the position.
It is important to go through potential interview questions and the appropriate responses to practice for your interview.
- Pretending to understand a question when you don’t:
Pretending to know or understand a question can be a recipe for failure during a job interview. There’s no need to pretend you know the answer when posed with a difficult question.
You can either respond with “I’m not sure I know the answer to that question.” or “I’m not sure I know the answer, but may I share what I think it might be?”.
It’s okay to acknowledge that you don’t know the answer unless the question is a make-or-break question.
- Not having any questions at the end of the interview:
Most interviewers give candidates a chance to ask questions at the end of an interview. This is to ensure that the chat involves both of you as they are aware that you are also thinking about whether their company is a great fit for you. Additionally, it demonstrates how interested you are in learning more about the position you are applying for.