7 Ways To Ruin An Interview

Having heard some recent horror stories from employers, I thought I would share my list of ways to ruin an interview. My hope is to provide a pre-interview checklist that you can use to ensure that you have all of your bases covered.

Here is my list of things to avoid when interviewing for the job you really, really want.

• Arrive Late: Nothing ruins your chances faster than showing up late. Respecting the employer’s time is essential to show that you will make a reliable employee.
• Be Needy or Overbearing: Coming off desperate is a major turn-off. Employers want confident, capable candidates who are easy to get along with.
• Avoid Eye Contact: Eye contact is the best way to connect with the person on the other side of the table. Use it to your advantage and it can win you the job. Avoid it and it looks like you are hiding something.
• Give a Weak Handshake: I hate the “limp fish” handshake. It can destroy an otherwise good first impression. Practice ahead of time if necessary.
• Forget to Smile: Goes hand-in-hand with eye contact when it comes to making a good impression. A smile can make the difference between otherwise equal candidates.
• Give Long Answers: This relates to respecting the employer’s time. Give short, concise answers to avoid rambling. It will help to reinforce that you know what you are talking about.
• Ask No Questions: This is critical. If you don’t ask intelligent, informed questions, it will appear that you are only there for the job and not to become part of the team.

There are many other ways to ruin an interview that aren’t listed here. Share yours on the comment boards below!