Mistakes People Make

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Before the interview

  • Mobile phone not working
  • Having no voicemail set up on your phone
  • No contact details listed on CV
  • Incorrect spelling of email address on CV
  • Telephone number not listed correctly on CV or with digits missing
  • Sloppy presentation of CV
  • Lack of relevant information on CV
  • Inflexible in relation to interview times
  • Being late for the interview
  • Rude to other members of staff e.g. receptionists

During the Interview

  • Receiving a call for a telephone interview in an inappropriate place e.g. on the street, in a bathroom
  • Making noise by rustling notes during telephone interviews
  • Battery dying on mobile during a telephone interview
  • Mobile phone going off in the interview
  • Not sure of the details in CV, dates of education and employment, additional duties etc
  • Incorrect dates on CV
  • Unexplained gaps on CV
  • Unprepared, not sure of the relevant details for the position or interviewers name/position
  • No examples prepared for competency style questions
  • Bringing CV and paperwork into the interview and making notes
  • Scruffy unkempt appearance, badly maintained grooming
  • Inappropriate attire e.g. casual clothes such as trainers
  • Informal language
  • Chewing gum
  • Smelling of cigarettes or alcohol
  • Lack of eye contact especially during handshake
  • Lack of politeness, stand when interviewer arrives in room and shake their hand
  • Lack of enthusiasm, not engaging in the process
  • Lying about educational or professional background
  • Lying about basic salary and being caught out when the new employer receives P45
  • Negative attitude especially towards current employer
  • Arrogance leading to an impression that the job doesn't interest the candidate
  • Shyness/Nervousness leading to bad presentation of experience

After the interview

  • Bad/mediocre references (it's often what a referee doesn't say that makes potential employers suspicious)
  • Indecisiveness in relation to salary expectations
  • Unrealistic salary and overall package expectations
  • Lack of availability to discuss the decision if there is an offer
  • Delay in making a decision