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7 most common mistakes made in an interview

7 Common Interview Mistakes:

 
Securing a virtual or in-person interview is a small achievement in itself. Well done so far!
 
What now? Blowleaf is here to give you some tips, tricks, insights and insights to blow your interviewer out of the water. We will help you avoid the 7 hurdles that can lead to rejection!
 
1. BE ON TIME

The first moments of your meeting are critical and timing is critical:
 
Never arrive late…..You will delay your interviewer for the rest of the day!
 
Never arrive more than 10 minutes early. You may put undue pressure on your interviewer to finish his earlier tasks and also form a picture of desperation.
 
 
2. DRESS FOR THE JOB YOU WANT, NOT THE ONE YOU HAVE
 
The old expression of ‘Dress for success’ is vital. Remember, similar to a first date, you want to make a great impression. Research your future employer, explore their culture, dress code and if necessary walk by their office in advance of the interview to understand the style of clothing commonly worn. Professional services firms are frequently more formal whilst creative companies, IT and the arts industries are more relaxed. If still unsure, phone the company to ask, some dress codes are simply: No Jeans or No ties!
 
Whatever the dress code; ensure your clothes are wrinkle-free, fresh, clean and well-fitting. This will only give you confidence and add stature to your candidacy.
 
3. THE ART OF TALKING: THE GIFT OF THE GAB VS. THE SILENT TREATMENT

Finding a balance between talking too much and talking too little can be difficult and with nerves flying, this balance can be harder to find. Waffling is a common interview mistake, avoid talking about everything all at once. It's important to give your personal pitch without rambling. Once the interviewer asks a question, pause for a moment, take a breath and gather your thoughts before responding. If you're talking too much or too fast you also run the risk of over-talking or interrupting the interviewer. Conversely, not giving enough information and forgetting important points can be just as negative. 
 
4. STAYING FOCUSED

It's important that you appear refreshed and focused during your interview. Make sure you get enough sleep and eat a nutritious breakfast before your interview to ensure you are at your optimal for the meeting.

While waiting for your interview to start, instead of looking at your mobile phone in the waiting room, skim over your CV or read over any company literature that may be in front of you. It may give you inspiration to questions you want to pose during the meeting. Make sure your phone is completely turned off or at the very least silent as this will help you stay focused and free of distractions during the interview.

Use active listening skills to show you're interested in what the interviewer is saying. Make sure to listen to everything the interviewer says so you know which questions to ask them and what information you should share with them to keep the conversation flowing. 

5. SPEAKING POORLY OF PREVIOUS EMPLOYERS

Whilst your previous employer may not have been a ray of sunshine, frame the conversation differently. Instead of speaking poorly of the previous employer, share your learnings and any skill sets you may have fostered. Focus on the skills you developed and what you plan to do in your new role. If they ask you questions that may derail into negative thoughts or worse, negative replies, try to find a way to answer the questions positively. This shows interviewers that you have conflict-resolution skills and can work well with others.

6. NOT BEING PREPARED FOR COMMON QUESTIONS: PREPARATION IS EVERYTHING! 
 
The skill is to anticipate a number of questions you may be asked, configure answers that demonstrate your knowledge, skill and fit. 

Practise answers to common interview questions beforehand with a friend or family member and make sure you have a number of examples from your previous work experience to discuss. 

Anticipate questions that you might be asked by the interviewer and be ready to elaborate on any aspect of your previous roles to demonstrate your ability to answer competency-based questions

Blowleaf can advise on how best to prepare for and answer competency-based questions. Schedule a session with one of our career advisors to run through interview technique, advice and mock scenarios.
 
7. DISCUSSING MONEY TOO EARLY 

There is a time and a place for salary negotiation. Just like things you shouldn’t discuss at the dinner table or on a first date, we strongly encourage you to allow the other party to discuss this first. Let the potential employer bring up finances, be it the interviewer themselves or a follow-up call with their HR team. If asked during the interview, explain the salary range you have understood to be available, acknowledge your current or last remuneration and where your realistic expectation fits into the scenario.

You CAN survive and overcome a tough job hunt. It sounds simple but it very rarely is unless you research, anticipate and practice in advance. Blowleaf can help you reach that destination with knowledge, support and positivity.
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