6 pre-interview mistakes that lost you the job

Interviewers know when a candidate has done their research and when they haven’t (Pixabay.com)

If you’ve been to a number of interviews with still no success, maybe it’s time you take a closer look at what you could be doing wrong

Getting an interview can feel like a massive achievement, especially with the competition in today’s job market. And the fact that you have an interview means that the potential employer likes you enough to see you. To get the job, avoid making these six mistakes.

1. You haven’t researched the company. Interviewers know when a candidate has done their research and when they haven’t. Know the basics about the company – who their clients are, what they specialise in and any outstanding achievements. Spend a good 30 minutes to an hour researching, and prepare a well-thought of mini-speech about why you would add value to the company – it might be a question.

2. You’re not researching your interviewers. You need to know who is interviewing you so make sure you know their names. Look them up – you might have similar work backgrounds or one of the interviewers might have a special interest in an area of work you do. This could become a great starting point for conversation.

3. You’re not practicing your questions and answers. This is an extremely important point. Practicing your answers before the interview will give you confidence and allow you to craft an impressive response. If you’re unsure of what the interviewers might ask, take a look at our list of the most commonly asked interview questions.

4. You’re not preparing your own set of questions. At the end of your interview the interviewer might ask if you have any questions – don’t say no. This is your chance to learn whether or not the job is the right fir for you and it also says a lot about who you are. Ask about the work itself, office culture and your role in the company. Avoid questions regarding benefits and salary on the first interview. If you’re unsure of where to start, read through our list of the 5 most noteworthy questions to ask after your next interview and start practicing.  

5. You’re not comfortable with how to answer questions that make you anxious. Lots of people have trouble answering certain questions like why you left your previous job or why have you so many short-term positions. Whichever questions you’re most uncomfortable with, spend time figuring out how you’ll answer it and then practice it over and over again. Practice makes perfect – the better your answer is structured and the more comfortable you are, the better your chances of impressing the interviewer.

6. You’re not prepared to talk about salary. This is one of the most difficult questions to answer especially if you’re not aware of the salary range for the position. The best way to tackle this question is to research what the market is currently offering. Remember those figures. Actual facts are better than thumb-sucked figures.

What have you been doing differently to prepare for interviews? Has it worked?