Being interviewed for a job is often very daunting. It is true that you should let prospective employers see you for who you are but there are certain strategies that can help you maximise your chances of clinching the coveted job, or rather, minimize your chances of losing out on it.

Read carefully and take note of the following 10 interview no-nos to be avoided at all cost!

1. Dressing inappropriately: There is absolutely no reason to not dress well when going for an interview, and this includes neat hair and suitable footwear. If you have any doubts about the prospective employer’s dress code, then just drop by near the office and observe how the staff going in and out are dressed. Unless you’re interviewing to become a DJ, scruffy jeans and flip-flops will not go down nicely.
2. Refusing a glass of water if it is offered: By accepting graciously, you subtly indicate that you are confident and ‘open’. There are also strategic advantages of accepting; in case of difficult questions, you can buy some time by drinking a sip of water. Plus, holding the glass will give you something to do, preventing you from fidgeting.
3. Poor posture and body language: Slouching, giving a limp handshake, and staring at the floor as you speak are all loud signals of low self-esteem and poor interpersonal skills. Also, reserve sitting with your legs crossed over box style or stretched out in front of you for your living room. Instead, make a good impression by walking in tall, smiling as you shake hands and folding your legs nicely below you. If there are multiple interviewers, always make eye contact with whoever is asking you the question.
4. Not researching the company beforehand: You should be able to answer the questions, ‘What do you know about this company?’ in your sleep. Unless you do enough research, you won’t be able to prove your genuine interest in the job or distinguish your answer from all the other generic ‘It’s a great place to work’.
5. Not being prepared to answer any difficult questions: Pre-empt tough questions such as, ‘What is your biggest weakness?’ and prepare your answers in advance.
6. Talking too much: Taking too long to answer direct questions gives the impression that you can’t organise your thoughts and get to the point. Nervous rambling also implies that you may be covering up something or outright lying.
7. Giving monosyllabic replies: If getting answers from you is as painful as extracting teeth, why would any interviewer bother?
8. Answering your mobile phone in the middle of the interview: This should be obvious. Answering your phone would show a total lack of respect for your interviewer and his/ her time.
9. Blaming past employers: Every boss has infuriating habits, but blaming your problems on your ex-boss implies you’re probably vindictive, prefer to shift the buck and are not a people person!
10. Failing to get the name / title of your interviewer to follow up later: Following up after the interview is critical, and a call to the interviewer helps much more than a call to the HR person.

As long as you are well rested from the night before, well prepared and conscious of these golden rules, the interview will go along smoothly.

Source: Shine.com

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