1. You sound like you don’t know what you want
Companies want to hire people that have long-term goals. You need to walk with a purpose, and be able to talk about it.
2. You say the phrase “I deserve this job.”
Most hiring managers don’t like to hire someone who feels entitled. You have no idea what someone had to go through to achieve their success: don’t make the mistake of conveying the idea that you feel success should be handed to you. *This point is illustrated beautifully in the 2005 movie “Hustle & Flow”.
3. You don’t smile
People will think you are either a) really uncomfortable, b) really nervous, or c) really don’t want to be there for the interview. None of these perceptions of you is likely to culminate in a job offer.
4. You smile too much, or act flirtatious
Coming on to the person who is interviewing you is not a good strategy. C’mon.
5. You look frumpy, sloppy, or clueless
If hired, you become a representative of that company. What you do reflects on their brand. No company wants to be represented by someone who’s stuck in a past decade, doesn’t have enough pride to iron a shirt, or take the time to learn about what’s appropriate to wear at work.
6. You are clueless
Again, a company does not want to be represented by someone who has no idea what’s going on around them. Know current events. Know how to dress. Show the hiring manager you’re with it.
7. You keep nodding your head when the person interviewing you is talking
Many hiring managers study body language to help them determine if what a candidate is saying is the truth. They look to see if the body language is consistent with the words. According to the body language experts, people who excessively nod their heads aren’t really listening.
8. You lean too far back in your chair
This indicates cockiness or boredom.
9. You never blink
This just freaks people out.
10. You sound boring or depressed
No one wants to be around somebody who is a complete snooze inducer. Or a total downer. Companies are no different from your friends on this one.
11. You make the person interviewing you uncomfortable for some reason
Perhaps they think you don’t like them. Or, maybe you’re giving off vibes like you know everything and they feel you won’t be easy to manage. Whatever it is, try to put the interviewer at ease. In some cases, they are just as nervous as you are.
12. The interviewer can’t get a feel for who you are
Be authentic and let the interviewer get a sense of who you really are. Don’t just say what you think they want to hear. It’s easy to see through that and doesn’t leave a good impression.
13. The interviewer feels intimidated
If the person interviewing you will be your boss, this can sometimes be a concern; especially if you’re interviewing for a position requiring technology expertise. Be sure to convey that you possess the qualifications, but demonstrate that you’re a team player.
14. It’s obvious you just need this job to tide you over until your “real” job comes along
Belittling the position or company is not a good strategy. Even if you don’t come right out and say this is your “safety job”, your body language may reveal your true feelings.
15. You seem needy
You become an HR headache when you constantly talk about advancement opportunities, reviews, raises, ergonomics, recycling programs, improvements to the company newsletter, a new company intranet that’s “just like Facebook”, and new initiatives…before you’re even hired. Take a breath. You’re annoying already. HR doesn’t want to deal with you.
16. You act like the interview is a waste of your time, or at least a major inconvenience
Showing up late, acting distracted, filing your nails in the waiting room, checking your phone…all of these things tell the hiring manager that you don’t really need this job. When you show up for the interview, make sure you are physically and mentally present.
17. Your cell phone goes off in the middle of the interview
This is just rude and inconsiderate of the interviewer’s time. Shut off the cell phones before the interview starts. If this does happen to you, tell the interviewer how embarrassed you are and let them know you realize that was inexcusable. (Exceptions for those expecting a baby, or caring for a sick relative).
18. You bad mouth someone
If you are willing to gossip about a former employer, there is no reason to believe you won’t do the same about this company.
19. You can’t give at least one example of a situation you handled poorly and learned from
Hiring managers want to know how you’ve grown as a person in the past few years. Being able to learn from difficult situations shows you have:
- determination to succeed
- the ability to learn from mistakes
- the capacity for growth
- your ego in check
- experience to draw from during tough times at this company
20. You don’t ask any questions about the company
They may not think you’re really interested in the position if you leave the interview without asking any questions. Or, they may think you don’t know enough about the company to ask any intelligent questions.
21. You start negotiating your salary
Do not talk about money on the first interview. Just don’t do it.
22. You wear clothes that cost more than your house
Though I realize that in this economy this is a real possibility…in most cases it looks pretentious. Wearing overly expensive clothes may make the interviewer assume that you expect a huge salary. Or, that you’re so independently wealthy they can offer you a lower starting salary. (*This tip is for entry-level grads only)
