BookRags Articles, http://www.bookrags.com/articles/47.html Most Common Job Interview Mistakes Most Common Job Interview Mistakes The job interview is the make-it-or-break-it part of the job application process. While the resume may get you the interview, the interview gets you the job. You want to impress your possible employer so much that nobody else will be appropriate or perfect for the job. Follow our steps to make sure you ace your interview. You know what to do according to your personality and strengths. Here is what not to do in order to guarantee interview success: * Incorrect attire: Dress appropriately for the type of job interview. Always dress in more conservatively than you would normally. Make sure that you are not wearing outlandish colors, showing too much skin, or wearing too much jewelry (man or woman). * Unprepared answers: You know the typical job questions, so have them prepared. Know ahead of time your answers to questions such as, "What are you strengths and weaknesses? Where do you see yourself in ten years? What can you bring to the company that nobody else can? What brought you to this part of your career?" These generalized questions will more than likely be asked of you on the big day. * Unprepared questions: Just as much as must prepare the answers to give to your interviewer, you must also come prepared with questions to ask of the interviewer about the position and the company. Employers want to see people who think on their toes and are interested in the position as much as possible. Scribble down a few quick questions that you can ask at the appropriate time of the interview so that you are not trying to think on the spot of what to ask. * Forgetting to do your research: If you are going on a job interview and know nothing about the company, than you are mistaken. You must learn as much as possible about the position and company prior to your interview. Therefore, you will be able to hold an intelligent and well-informed discussion about the company. You will also be able to ask questions more comprehensively. * Slips of the tongue: Although this mistake is difficult to control, people often make them. People accidentally say the wrong thing, infer the wrong idea, or blurt out an insult or profanity. Any of these slips of the tongue can throw you out of the interview race. Concentrate on what you say, so that it comes out intelligibly and not incoherently. * Ringing of cell phones: Make sure your phone is off prior to the interview. Nothing is ruder or more disrespectful to an interviewer than listening to another ring. * Checking the time: Be careful not to glance at your watch or the wall clock in the middle of your interview. Perhaps you should take off your watch prior to the interview so that you have no chance of accidentally looking at your wrist. * Asking about salary too early: While it probably one of the determining factors in your decision to work at a company, do not jump the gun in the interview to ask about salary. The interviewer will inevitably tell you what salary and benefits come with the job. There are so many people looking for jobs, so if the company sees you as someone who just wants the money and does not necessarily care about the job, it will work against you in the long run. * Giving your demands: You are on the job interview and you are unemployed (or are looking to chance jobs). You are no diva. Therefore, you should never make demands at an interview. Even if you have reached a professional status that enables you to make certain demands in the workplace, the interview is never the place for it. They will laugh at you and more than likely never call you again. People want to work with compromising and congenial co-workers; not demanding prima donnas. * Telling about other job offers: While you may think it appears desirable to speak about other companies offering you a position, it may come across as ridiculous in a job interview. It is important to keep matters separate. They may see you as someone who already has a job. Why would they want to give you their position if you've already got one somewhere else. * Dropping too many names: Again, this "do not" is a double-edged sword. While contacts are vital in the job market, they can often be used for the wrong purposes. You do not want to be seen as someone who gets by only on his or her connections. * Tardiness: Do not be late to your job interview. Rather, arrive around 10-15 minutes early so you can settle in, fill out paperwork, and allow your interviewer to get ready. * Fidgeting: While you will probably be nervous prior to and during your job interview, try not to fidget. It is distracting and reads nervousness and anxiety. No employer wants a fidgety co-worker in the building. * Lying: While it is common to exaggerate on resumes, it is downright wrong to lie on them and in your job interview. Honesty is the most venerable quality in a worker and an employer and interviewer will respect your truth and honesty. Do not claim to have worked somewhere if you have not, and so on and so forth. These basic tips, we hope, will help you along in the job interview season. You may already be a fantastic interviewer, but unfortunately do not always get that golden interview. If this is the case, then you must focus on your resume and references. Regardless, the job interview is key in nailing a position and becoming an employee of the corporate workplace of the United States.