Article

Mistakes to Avoid at an Interview

Topic: Career DevelopmentPublished April 30, 2011

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As you go through the interview process, there are going to be some common mistakes that you will want to avoid. These are items that are going to cost you getting hired and could easily be avoided if you took a moment to review these important aspects.

The first thing is nervous chatter. When you arrive at the office for your interview, you are going to meet the receptionist. It is important that you are friendly and polite to this individual, but you do need to avoid being too talkative with them. Remember that they have a job to do outside of the application process.

When you arrive in the room for your interview, avoid nervous pacing and offering information about yourself. Even if you are terrible at interviews, never offer up that information. Instead, wait for the individual doing the interviewing to sit and then sit down and present yourself with your back arched and an attentive glance. Avoid any slouching and unprofessional behavior during this time.

Most interviewers can spot bogus information and lies from a mile away. That means you need to be sure that as you go through the interview process, you present accurate information. If you find that there are areas of concern, you will want to be sure that you answer them honestly in the process and avoid tossing the blame.

Of course, this brings up the fact that you may hate your previous employer. Even if you have a hundred negative things to say about them you will want to avoid mentioning it. What you are going to find is that by taking a positive approach, you are able to paint yourself in a more positive manner and this should result in you having a level of success in the interview process as well.

Not every interview will be right for you and that is understandable. However, if you feel you are too good for a position or that it might not be a perfect match for you, never let the interviewer know that if you have accepted the interview. That also means that although growth will certainly be on your mind in the company, you will want to avoid letting that be the clear motive you have in this process. Many companies look for people who will spend some time in a position before they attempt to grow in the company.

Keep in mind that asking questions about vacation time and insurance is alright, but don't let them be the only questions you ask. Make sure that your questions are more focused on the job that you are going to be doing and what will be expected from you. These additional benefits can be handled when they choose to hire you and that will be a good thing for you to look at before you accept the job.

There are plenty of items that will come up in this process. By understanding the issues, you will be able to avoid getting yourself into any trouble in this process.

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About the Author

If you're looking for a change in careers, consider the insurance industry. For many job seekers in this industry, it makes sense to use an insurance headhunter. Companies often hire insurance recruiters to help them acquire top talent

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