Just Graduated? 5 Things to Never Do in a Job Interview
1. Diss Rival Companies
In the corporate world it is important not to player hate. Actually, let me correct that, it’s important not to player hate in front of anyone who might use that against you when promotion time arrives. No-one likes a backstabber. So saying something like, “oh they offered me the job but I found their benefit policy too stingy” is not what you want to say. Still less, you do not want to say something like, “they’re a great company but I didn’t like the management”. The correct response when referring to rival companies is to be just complimentary enough to suggest that you might go there if this interview doesn’t work out. If the truth is they rejected you ate your suit had to be dry cleaned from all the tears and ice-cream you spilled while comfort eating/crying afterwards it’s best to keep schtum.
2. Be Over-Confident
I once made a fatal error at a job interview. I spent the previous hour reading a trash “Positive Thinking” book which encouraged me to “act as if”. So I walked right into the interview acting as if I had already got the job. I think this came off a little arrogant as the interviewer laid into me and my “inadequate” credentials particularly harshly. In general, I would say self help books are best avoided (apart from this guide of course).
3. Arrive Late
I know this is obvious but you have no idea how easy it is to arrive late at an interview. I would leave 2 hours early but forget to bring a map and be stood on a street corner, sweating and waiting for my stupid 2G phone to load a simple map. One needs to be the epitome of composure when arriving for an interview – even being a little late is enough to fluster you and annoy the decision maker so do everything you can to avoid this.
4. Arrive Early
Less obvious but there is a “sweet spot” for job interview arrival and that spot is exactly 10 minutes before your interview is scheduled – any earlier than that and you look pushy even desperate. Some interviewers might feel pressured by your early arrival to see you sooner than they had planned and that’s not a good start
5. Dress Inappropriately
As a man, my experience of deep complexities of female dress codes is limited so I will confine my comments on female dressing to… well… nill. I’m just not going there. However, boys listen up. The best option for a male interviewee is a charcoal, grey or navy suit with a crisp white shirt (make sure there is no front pocket on the shirt) and a striped tie containing a black or dark blue somewhere in the pattern. Avoid red, red is the color of danger. Black is a powerful color but must be used sparingly – a dark stripe on your tie should be enough.
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