There are countless ways to bewitch a hiring manager during an interview: from a jack-o-lantern smile to hauntingly good answers to their questions, it’s possible to have an incredible interview. But it’s also possible to scare away prospective employers unintentionally. This Halloween, here are some common interview mistakes that could send your interviewer running for the door…or the “end meeting” button.
Act Wicked About the Last Company
Many interviewers will ask why candidates are looking to leave their current job, but this is not an invitation to describe in detail why the last job was flawed and such a bad experience. Doing so can make a candidate seem too negative and like they aren’t team players. One way to answer is to focus on how the current role doesn’t offer the means to pursue your long-term career goals.
Focus Too Much on the Candy…aka the Perks
Compensation, benefits, and other perks like paid time off are crucial to know about when considering a job offer, but they aren’t appropriate to discuss in the first or even second interview. These interviews are for the company to learn about the candidate and vice versa, so use this valuable time to highlight strengths and skills, ask important questions, and decide if the company is first a good fit without all the perks.
Disguise Yourself
Interviews can be intimidating, and many candidates have the impulse to blur the truth about professional experience and qualifications. But it’s more important to be honest than to be impressive in an interview because companies are looking for a good fit above almost everything else. It’s okay to not be the perfect candidate for every position because it’s more important to be the perfect candidate when the right company comes along.
Look Scary
Many companies have casual dress codes, but during an interview it’s still important to look sharp, even if interviewing virtually. Make sure your clothing is unwrinkled and business appropriate, and your background is professional and mess free. No matter how casual the company may seem, looking professional for an interview shows the interviewer how important the interview is to you.
Stay in the Dark
No matter what a candidate’s resume looks like, they probably won’t have a great interview if they don’t know anything about the company or the position they’re interviewing for. Doing thorough research beforehand demonstrates interest, commitment, and the ability to prepare when it counts. Ask questions about more than just what the company does or what the position entails; have at least five questions ready which dig deeper into the company’s values, mission, and future plans. Research the company’s industry and inquire about where they see themselves compared to their competitors. Ask what their growth plan is for the next five to 10 years and ask how they plan to accomplish it. Insightful, thought-provoking questions like these are an easy way to impress hiring managers.
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