subject: Don't Ruin Your Interview [print this page] Most people today are struggling to get a job since there are not as many available as there were a few years ago. If you are fortunate enough to get an interview, do not mess it up. Learn what not to do while going into an interview.
The first thing that you always need to do is turn off your cell phone. There is no point in having it on while in your interview. It would be rude to answer the phone or even have it ring. A surprisingly high percentage of people in an interview actually answer their phone. This will make your chances of getting the job rather slim if your attention is on your phone rather than the interviewer.
While you may not personally have an issue with it, it is still best to cover your tattoos and take out any piercings that might cause a problem. While you would hope that you could get a job for the person you are, at times these types of things can be difficult for some people to get over. Do yourself a favor and try to avoid showing these items off during an interview.
Do not show up late. If you are late to your interview, the employer will assume that you are going to continually be late for work, meaning that they probably will not want to hire you.
An interview is not time for you to ask personal questions about the other person. Keep it professional and answer everything as best as you can. However, it is a good time to ask questions about the company and the position. Good questions show intelligence and interest and may help you stand out among all the other candidates. Plus, if you can get the interviewer to talk a lot, they may just like you because you listened attentively.
Be mindful of your body movements. Sit comfortably in the chair. While you might be nervous, watch your nervous habits. For many, this means playing with something in their hands or moving their hands. Do not hold onto anything that you might move around or make noise with. You will not even notice these things while nervous, but be mindful of the possibility that it can happen.
