Job interviews can be nerve-wracking experiences. Even when you feel fully prepared, things can go wrong that are out of your control. Here are six common reasons an interview might not go as well as expected, along with tips on how to overcome them.
1. Anxiety and Nerves
It’s natural to feel some anxiety before an important job interview. However, excessive nerves can derail your interview success. Anxiety makes it harder to think clearly, speak eloquently, and project confidence.
How to fix it: Take time beforehand to do relaxing deep breathing. Visualize yourself acing the interview. And remind yourself that you’re qualified for this role – focus on your skills, not anxious thoughts. This article on how to overcome interview anxiety offers some useful tips.
2. Insufficient Research
Failing to adequately research the company and role can leave you stumbling over questions. Interviews often include queries testing your knowledge of the organization. Not knowing key facts about the business and position makes a poor impression.
How to fix it: Thoroughly research the company’s website, products/services, mission, culture, and news coverage. Be prepared to discuss how your background aligns with the role.
3. Poor First Impression
Developing rapport quickly is key in interviews. But you can ruin that crucial first impression if you’re disheveled, late, disinterested, or rude. Your interviewer is evaluating you from the moment you meet.
How to fix it: Arrive 10 minutes early, looking neat and professional. Greet your interviewer with a warm smile and firm handshake. Make eye contact and seem genuinely excited about the conversation.
4. Rambling or Vague Answers
Providing overly long, wordy responses can indicate a lack of preparation and focus. Alternatively, brief and vague answers seem evasive. Interviewers want clear, concise responses expressing your fit for the role.
How to fix it: Practice responses to common questions that highlight your qualifications in a succinct story format. Prepare an “elevator pitch” summarizing your background, too.
5. Lack of Engagement
Staying aloof or disengaged during an interview destroys your chances. Interviews are a two-way conversation – you must demonstrate interest and ask smart questions too. Passive candidates don’t stand out.
How to fix it: Act attentive with good eye contact and posture. Prepare insightful questions about the role and company. Express enthusiasm for the opportunity throughout.
6. Poor Body Language
Bad body language like slouching, fidgeting, or crossing your arms can convey disinterest or anxiety. Interviews are about projecting confidence through your verbal and nonverbal communication.
How to fix it: Use open and welcoming gestures. Sit tall, lean forward, smile, make eye contact, and relax your shoulders. Often, poor body language goes hand in hand with nerves and anxiety, so if you fix one issue, you fix the other.
With preparation and practice, you can overcome these common interview pitfalls. Research the role and company thoroughly, minimize anxiety, make a great first impression, work on your response style, fully engage with your interviewer, and project confidence via your body language. Follow these tips to ace your next big interview.
