Top 5 Things to Avoid During an Interview
Written by Katie L.
For some, going to an interview can be scary. There are two types of "interviews" – 1) structured oral examination, and 2) hiring interview. You will sit in front of one or two people, or even a panel of people, all of whom are evaluating you. The oral examination is usually more structured, whereas the hiring interview may be more relaxed. No matter which you attend, the goal is to ask about and assess your knowledge, skills, and abilities, as they relate to the job at hand. Included below are five things to avoid, no matter which type of interview you are attending.
1. Do not trash your current or previous employers. If you worked in a toxic environment (which most of us have at one point or another), there is a nice way of stating that such as "it wasn't a good fit" or "the environment was not conducive to learning and providing customer service". You should only talk about these things if you are asked a direct question, and in no situation should you ever use people's names.
2. Never provide a one word or two-sentence answer. The interviewers cannot adequately rate your responses with such minimal information. You are typically given enough time to provide in-depth answers, so use that time to your full advantage.
3. If you know that you have 30 minutes to answer eight questions, do not spend the first 10 minutes on question #1. Pace yourself accordingly.
4. Do not make assumptions. The two biggest assumptions I have seen are:
- People assume that the interviewers have read through their entire application and know exactly what they did in a previous job.
- People assume that based on a job title alone, the interviewers should know what duties they performed.
Overall, it is your responsibility to demonstrate how you meet the qualifications for the job and to communicate such effectively.
5. Do not exaggerate your experience. Public agencies have a probationary period, which is an extension of the selection process; if you are not truthful about your experience in the interview, it will mostly likely come out during the probationary period. Remember, the goal is to find a job that is a good fit for both you and the employer.