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Avoid these 5 interview mistakes

We look at the most common mistakes made in job interviews and present helpful strategies for avoiding them.

Avoid these 5 interview mistakes
Published on
Oct 30, 2023

Job interviews play a crucial role in your career. However, for a successful job interview, it depends on proper preparation and a clear understanding of the do's and don'ts. In this post, our recruiting experts address the most common mistakes applicants make during interviews and present helpful strategies to master future interviews with excellence.

1. Lack of Preparation

One of the biggest mistakes applicants make is to skip thorough preparation. Because careful research about the company and the position for which you are applying is extremely important.

Two.jobs Tip: Familiarize yourself with the company’s values, goals, and recent achievements. Make sure you are well-acquainted with your resume and ready to discuss your experiences and achievements and how they relate to the role. 

2. Poor Body Language

Your non-verbal signals during an interview already say a lot about you. Poor posture, avoiding eye contact, or being unable to sit still send negative signals to the interviewer.

Two.jobs Tip: Pay attention to confident body language by maintaining an upright posture, establishing eye contact, and offering a firm handshake. These subtle gestures convey confidence and enthusiasm!

3. Inadequate Answers to Questions

Crafting meaningful answers to interview questions requires finesse. Avoid giving answers that are too vague or lengthy.

Two.jobs Tip: Instead, use the STAR method to structure your answers: first, describe the Situation, then the Task you undertook, the Action you took, and finally the Result achieved. Emphasize how your experiences and skills contributed directly to overcoming challenges and achieving results in previous roles.

If a question about your weaknesses arises, we've created a comprehensive guide here on how to best respond. 

4. Lack of Enthusiasm

Recruiters can easily tell if an applicant is truly interested in the position. Therefore, be sure to show your enthusiasm by learning about the company's recent projects and expressing your excitement about contributing to the company’s future success. Showing genuine passion for the position sets you apart from other candidates.

5. Failing to Ask Interesting Questions

When your interviewer has finished their questions, it doesn't mean the interview is over. Now, you have the opportunity to demonstrate your commitment.

Two.jobs Tip: Ask thoughtful questions at the end of the interview to further demonstrate your interest. Inquire about the company culture, team dynamics, or future goals of the company. Your questions should help you learn more about the position and the company.

Conclusion

Job interviews are both an opportunity and a challenge. By avoiding the mistakes described in this post and applying the strategies provided, you can increase your chances of a successful job interview!

Find more tips to impress in an interview here: 

Find more helpful tools for job search here.

Natalie Plöschberger
Author
Natalie Plöschberger
Recruiting Expertin bei two.jobs
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