5 Warning Signs That Your Interview Skills Stink

Posted by in Career Advice


There are many things that can go wrong in a job interview. No matter how hard you try, some things just have a way of going awry. To help you determine whether you’re an ace interviewee or can benefit from a brush-up, here are the top 5 warning signs that your interview skills stink:

1. You have not made an impression on the interviewer.

You are scrutinized and evaluated from the moment you step inside the interview room. The way you carry yourself and the way you dress for the occasion help make the first impression on the employer, and will certainly affect the outcome of the meeting. If you think that a pair of jeans and a polo shirt passes as semi-formal business attire, think again. Arriving late and keeping the interviewer waiting are also bad signs, because those actions will be interpreted as a lack of interest on your part. Moreover, the employer may believe that they reflect your character traits, and judge you to be an unorganized and undependable person. Instead, you should carry yourself confidently and dress to impress. Give the interviewer a firm handshake to let him know that you mean business.

2. You can’t match the communication style of the interviewer.

You don’t have to be an expert conversationalist or social butterfly to get on the interview’s good side; just match the communication style of the interviewer. If the interviewer is all business, then avoid making funny remarks or jokes. However, if he is more informal, then you can also be more relaxed in the way you address him. Be that although the tone is friendlier, you still need to display respect to the interviewer. But no matter what the employer’s communication style, getting tongue tied, stuttering, etc. are to be avoided. Don’t be nervous, just be yourself!

3. You talk constantly about yourself.

This is one warning sign not to be taken lightly. Talking excessively about yourself while veering off from the main discussion of the position or company is a big turnoff for interviewers. Listening is an integral part of this scenario. To be an effective interviewee, you should keep your answers simple, concise, and detailed but to-the-point. Check yourself from time to time to ensure that you don’t get too comfortable. After all, it is a professional meeting.

4. You keep interrupting the interviewer.

Even if you feel like you already understand the question and can answer well or if you already have clarification questions, it’s not smart to butt in before the interviewer is finished speaking. This just depicts you as an impolite person. Let the interviewer finish the question before you answer. Be professional. Asking clarification questions after the interview is finished speaking not only demonstrates better manners, it solidifies your interest in the position.

5. You go in for the interview unprepared.

This is a problem that cannot be fixed once the interview starts. Research the company and the position, and your compatibility with them, beforehand and familiarize yourself with the essential information so you won’t be left guessing when the employer asks you a question. You should also anticipate some questions that will be asked during the interview and prepare specific answers for those. If, during your research or the interview process, you come across any questions for the employer, you should make a note of those as well and ask them at the end of the interview.

It’s normal to feel nervous and have butterflies in your stomach when interviewing for your dream job. But you shouldn’t let nervousness get the best of you and potentially ruin your chances of getting hired. Be prepared and try your best. And, whether or not your interview turns out well, don’t forget to end the meeting graciously and follow up with a thank-you note to the employer.

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  • Ellyanna
    Ellyanna
    THANKS that's a great answer!
  • Ellen
    Ellen
    I'm out of league here. Too much brain power on display!
  • Nebrate Yitayew
    Nebrate Yitayew
    Thanks!
  • Sheriff A.
    Sheriff A.
    This is a very interesting site which can sharpen your brain before person can commence for any interview.
  • Lola G.
    Lola G.
    Interviewers always seen to ask "Do you have any questions"? What do you do if they have already answered your usual questions without having asked them?
  • paul
    paul
    GOOD OF YOU ALL< THANK YOU
  • Arcadio O.
    Arcadio O.
    Thanks a lot for this helpful article, I have an experience that they gave practical exercises before the interview.  
  • Mark S.
    Mark S.
    Right on the mark. One cannot plan for every question, but 1 question that seems to always cause a problem is AGE. They should not ask that because it is against the law. But they do anyway.
  • Rose M.
    Rose M.
    I wished your article would be of help, but actually it didn't. just plain and simple give out a list of the tricky questions and best answers.
  • Marianne L.
    Marianne L.
    I agree with Patricia F. I have not been on an interview in years and how they have changed! I would like to know some standard questions that would be asked. Its not like it was 10 years ago!
  • Daliah
    Daliah
    I went on an interview that was listed as one position, but was in fact something else. So when I was asked what I liked to do best, what were my strong points, it was very hard to answer. My strong points are in fact what the job was really. I tried to fix that in a cover letter, but it probably came off as correcting the interviewer instead of explaining how I was perfect for the position now that I knew what it really was.
  • Latricia A.
    Latricia A.
    The interviewing tips were informative, however I already was very much knowledgeable on all of the tips you provided. I just wanted to make sure that it was pretty much the same information I already knew and it was. I know it is normal to be nervous, but are there any tricks or pointers that you can provide to these individuals to help them be more comfortable during an interview? Thanks for the info.
  • Steven N.
    Steven N.
    I have an interview tomorrow, and this information helps immensely. Thank you.
  • Kay
    Kay
    Eve:  I believe it is Jobfox that will review your resume for free.  Of course I am sure that it is the same feedback for just about everyone, but it is a lot and you can make sure all the points they suggest are in your resume. Patricia: You can find lists of questions just by searching interview questions. Practice everything you can find.Kevin: Part of being smart about an interview is knowing who in the company is likely to know the answers to your questions. I geared some of my questions to the hiring manager and some were for the SVP because the hiring manager would likely not know.Nancy: If the job description is vague, the only thing you can do is ask for details when you arrive for the interview and then gear your answers to what they are looking for on the spot.  
  • Atongawoh C.
    Atongawoh C.
    Reading through, the message sent, i find it interesting as i have learn what should be avoided and unavoided. Thanks
  • Cristy M.
    Cristy M.
    Thanks a lot for this helpful article.
  • George N.
    George N.
    Most times it is not the interviewer that makes the final decision. There is a thing call "Due Diligence." Even if the interviewer likes you because you may have experience as in my case and understand the nature of the business, thinks you are an excellent candidate, as per my last interview, her hands were tied because her HR overrides her recommendation. The interviewer is a good source to find out what HR has in mind for your file to make sense and follow up on those requirements. I have done quite a few interviews in my 26 years of sales and will tell you that HR will due its due diligence and get back to the interviewer before the all important second interview and "Employment Offer." Although at my age it is hard for me to get hired when I am looked upon that I have outgrown my usefulness. US companies can use the "Chinese" approach of consulting with us veterans to guide the new generation of the workforce. But who am I to tell them how to run their business. I got my CNA license in Florida and I am shocked to be told that a "Hiring Freeze" is on at the moment. Go figure! China and India are out of the question for me!
  • JASWANT S.
    JASWANT S.
    Very useful tricks
  • Roberta P.
    Roberta P.
    I agree the article is informative and helpful, but listing some practice questions and answers would also be enlightening.  Like Patricia F. said, questions like, "What is your best quality", or "What is your worst quality"?  Seriously when I get questions like that I can answer regarding my best qualities, but when it comes to my worst, not so sure what to say.
  • Sinclair B.
    Sinclair B.
    Thank you the interview tips I will carry them on my next interview, I see now where I've went wrong before.
  • Armando L.
    Armando L.
    Thanks for the 5 warning signs of interview stink, impressive and good.
  • Dave M.
    Dave M.
    I actually just got a position with a "big box" company and have been conducting my first group interviews with candidates. I was shocked by the following huge mistakes that some of them made: One person pulled out their cell phone and began texting. Another arrived 15 minutes late in baggy jeans, tee-shirt with long sleeve thermal shirt underneath. And one began picking pimples on their knee. Along with that, one candidate did interrupt not only the interviewers, but also the other candidates. One candidate was dismissed immediately because for some strange reason their work availability changed overnight to where they couldn't work weekends.
  • sinu j.
    sinu j.
    Thank you for this nice information.
  • Roger
    Roger
    his job interview mumbo jumbo is just that- a bunch of head games. People look for ways to eliminate a person before giving them a chance. And relying on references? Geez! People these days are incapable of deciding or themselves who is qualified. You think they go out on dates and ask previous boyfriends or girlfriends how the person was? This interviewing process with background checks and trick questions and all has gotten to be ridiculous!
  • lesa
    lesa
    Very informative. I?Just had a phone interview that I did horribly on. To add insult to injury I am a Recruiter and me out of all people should know how to interview.

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