Top 10 Interview Mistakes

1.    Do not miss the interview timeslot. This means you: misremembered the time or place of the interview; arrived late; or more than 5-10 minutes early, if it is at their office. If you arrive at their office too early they may feel rushed and pressured to go out and meet with you. We know it is merely your exuberance; but they may not realize it. Never mention how early you got there. If you were waiting, put a positive spin on it.

2.    Do not forget your manners. Call them Mr/Ms/Dr until they invite you, if they do, to call them by their first name. Don't interrupt them when they are speaking. If you meet at a coffee shop or share a meal, do not leave a mess of napkins, cups, or fail to pick up after yourself, it does not leave a good impression. Same thing with parking folks and receptionists, they might be someone's family member just starting out.

3.    Do not wear clothes that you have not road-tested for appropriateness, fit, marks or stains, price tags or other removable labels. Less is more on jewelry. Nothing you wear should detract from your presentation.

4.    Do not fail to shower and DO NOT WEAR ANY FRAGRANCE WHATSOEVER! If your face or palms of your hands sweat, carry a handkerchief. A tissue can disintegrate and leave dots.

5.    Do not fail to smile. A warm, welcoming smile will cover a multitude of uncomfortable moments and is the surest way of establishing and maintaining rapport and a positive attitude! The halo effect is real. If they like you, they will gladly become your advocate! YOU are the solution to their problem!

6.    Do not fail to look them in the eye or shake their hand. Eye contact is an easy way to establish rapport and show confidence! If you avoid eye contact, they may feel that you have to hide and/or do not believe what you are saying and/or are not interested in making a connection. Shake their hand when you meet them and again when you leave. As the only socially-permitted touching handshakes are important. Make it firm, confident and make it count.

7.    Do not fail to listen and do not mumble or speak too softly. Actively LISTEN  to THEM and make sure that you are speaking from your diaphragm. S-L-A-N-T. Sit up, lean forward from the waist, pay attention, nod your head and track speech speed with your own. Mumbling or speaking softly does not convey confidence and, worse yet, someone has to ask you to repeat, calling even more attention to what you were previously, tentatively, saying about the topic.

8.    Do not joke or be overly familiar with the interviewer. It only goes one way on this. If they choose to make a joke, be sure you laugh. Obviously you would not tell a "knock knock," memorized joke. But even situational humorous comments are too risky because you really do not know how they will react. They should not be overly familiar, but if the interviewer asks an inappropriate question, respond as if the question were reframed to not be overly intrusive.

9.    Do not be arrogant. Yes, you may be smarter the interviewer. Maybe they could not get into their school/company today with the intense competition for each slot. Just make sure they don't know that you think that! You can express yourself confidently by saying you work hard, are very fortunate or other people talk about your great quality.

10.    Do not fail to be enthusiastic! You are enthused about the opportunity and this is the time to be excited and hopeful. If not now, when?

Be authentically yourself. Establish rapport. Open doors by winning with words. Making Conversation can assist you to develop responses which are thought out ahead of time, not the "automatic” or “right" response, but your personal best answer. If you communicate effectively with confidence and ease, your answers will persuade the interviewer to become your advocate.

Prepare thoroughly and respect the interviewer and the interview process. Always be OTHER-Oriented! 

Peggy Wallace's Making Conversation can assist you in showing your best self to the interviewer, so they become your advocate for admission. Contact her at peggy@makingconversation.com or (760) 803-2641.