You received the call letting you know that you’ve finally landed that great interview you’ve been dreaming of. You’re excited about the opportunity, but now, you might be wondering what your potential employer is expecting of you. Interviews are often highly interesting encounters where employers and potential employees pay an exuberant amount of attention to one another. This means that the smallest slip-up could take you out of the running for a job before you’ve even had a chance to highlight your accomplishments. When it comes to showing your best side at an interview, the small details are just as important as the grand speeches you may be asked to make. Here are 8 ways that it’s possible to bomb your interview without ever saying a word
1. Showing up late
In the majority of cases, an employer is looking for an employee he or she can depend on. Showing up late to an interview gives them a fairly good preview of what they can expect from you if they were to award you a professional post. Showing up late leaves potential employers with the impression that timeliness isn’t a priority for you, or that you simply don’t care to keep to the schedules of others.
2. Suppressing your smile
While you might not want to come across as overly excited, not smiling at all during an interview can give off the impression that you are angry, uninterested in the position or simply not a people person. No matter what type of job you are interviewing for, it’s important to come across as a warm, friendly and approachable person.
3. Delivering a weak handshake
A handshake says a lot about a potential job candidate, and a weak initial handshake can stick with a potential employer in a negative way. Make sure that your handshake is firm and confidant in order to convey dependability and professionalism during the first few minutes of an interview.
4. Appearing nervous
Most employers expect interview candidates to be a little nervous at the beginning of any interview, but if you just can’t shake the impression that you’re terrified of the situation, your potential employer is going to pick up on that quickly. Sitting up too straight, wringing your hands or stuttering over words, will eliminate you from the running when an employer is looking for someone who can handle pressure and stress in the workplace with grace.
5. Avoiding eye contact
Many employers will expect direct eye contact as a way of judging a candidate’s confidence and trust-worthiness. Avoiding eye contact with a potential employer can give off the impression that you are nervous, or have something to hide. Making direct eye contact on a comfortable level is important to maintaining a trusting, and open conversation.
6. Dress like you don’t care
Always ask what the dress code is for an interview before you show up, because arriving in inappropriate or overly casual attire can eliminate your chances at a job before you even take your place in the hot seat. Make sure your outfit fits the job description and is neither too revealing nor too casual. Both of these situations can make a potential employer believe you are out of touch with reasonable work expectations.
7. Check the time
It’s important to present yourself as a person who is able to deliver their undivided attention when the situation is important. Checking your watch throughout the interview will quickly lead a potential employer to believe that you are not interested in the job and eager to leave the interview.
8. Forget your credentials at home
Even if they don’t directly ask you to do so, always come prepared with a polished resume and list of references in hand. Arriving at an interview unprepared to present your credentials in a professional manner can make you seem forgetful, and less than detail-oriented to any potential employer.
