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20 Things You Should Never Do At A Job Interview - Jobs/Vacancies - Nairaland

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20 Things You Should Never Do At A Job Interview by jobsduck: 10:33pm On Jun 12, 2017
If you want to pass any job interview, then don’t ever do any of these 20 interviews don’t.

You see in an age where competition is still and on the increase, looking for a job is without a doubt a herculean task.

It is not easy finding the right job that [url] www.jobsduck.com[/url]suits you in the first place especially if you are in certain fields.

Then when you do find one, you have to go through stages of screening to land the job.

The pressure can be frustrating. Little wonder, quite a few people give up before long and settle to a life of depression.

Nobody can be satisfied or really fulfilled doing nothing and being a liability to others. Men naturally find fulfillment from being a part of something.

But!

Landing that dream job or even just a job comes with its challenges. Even though you have been invited for an interview, you are still not fully in, and would, therefore, feel the pressure to do well so as to come out victorious.

There are quite several people who have the right qualifications, the skills and all the qualities needed to get the job but they miss it because they have failed to do some basic things and instead commit what can be called the taboo of job interviews

Your qualifications would not matter if you do not know some basic things you should never do at a job interview. These things are so fatal you just must not do them.

Ready?

Let’s dive in

What Not to Do During An Interview:

Tardiness or Arriving Too Early:


Tardiness does not speak well of anybody. Remember you are at the interview to show that you are the best candidate for the job. If you have everything else and you appear as one who does not care for being early as well, you might as well not be qualified. They want to know they are employing someone they can count on and a late comer screams unreliable.



You might not be a tardy person but that is what they would assume so whatever you do, on the day of your interview, give room for unforeseen circumstances that could make you come late. Do not be too early as well, nobody wants to employ one who has plenty of time in his hands or is desperate.



If you are half an hour early, find somewhere to hang around till at most ten/fifteen minutes before the time.



Inappropriate Dressing:


The importance of dressing appropriately cannot be overemphasised. Dress well and look the part. As much as you might not like it, how you look also matters to them because they want to employ someone that would represent their brand properly and if you are looking all unkempt, it communicates a wrong image to them.



It is probably wiser to lay out whatever you are going to wear before time. Be simple but classy and elegant, stay away from heavy fragranced perfumes or too colorful clothing.





Lack of Preparation:


Do not go for an interview unprepared. You cannot redeem yourself when you appear not to know anything. You come off as unserious and unfit for the job. It is important you make in-depth research on the roles and responsibility of the position you are applying for, the company itself and interviews in general. Read up anything and everything that can be useful, no knowledge is wasted after all.



Do not take anything for granted. That way, it shows you are a serious person who can be committed to.





Have your Phone on Loud:


It would not do well for your interview if your phone comes on during an interview. It is rude and should not even happen. Your best bet is to keep your phone off so as not to avoid taking chances all together or at the very least, put it on silence. It doesn’t speak well of you no matter how you want to look at it.





Use Informal Language:


The interviewers are not your buddies; you are not best friends even if they are friendly and try to create some kind of rapport. So keep your “mate, bro, yolo, ain’t” to yourself.



The best language to go with which would keep you on the safe side even though they operate a casual and informal environment there is to stick to formal language.



When you get employed, you can learn the language of the company but for the interview, keep it formal.





Poor Body Language:


You do not want to go for an interview looking like you were forced there or looking fidgety. No, maintain eye contact with the interviewers, shake them firmly and sit confidently. Try to relax but do not slouch like you are in your bed room. Try not to look bored as well; those would not help you score good points with the interviewers.



Speaking Ill of Past/Current Employer:


It is very normal if you have something against your past or current employer but that is not an interview discussion. You can complain to friends and family if you deem fit but the interviewers are definitely not the right people to complain. You do not want to come across as one who is carrying a grudge. It would make them feel if they fall into past employer someday, you would do the same to them. Loyalty is very attractive.





Not Asking Questions:


Not asking questions can make you come across as not intelligent or unserious. They believe if you have done your homework and read up about them, you would have questions about something you read but unclear about or something the interviewer said during the course of the interview.



So ask questions if given the opportunity and if not, ask for permission to ask. It gives you leverage over others.





Asking Unintelligent or Generic Questions:


Asking unintelligent questions is as good as not asking questions. Do not go there asking generic questions like, “what does the company do?” what does … abbreviation stands for?” You could have gotten answers to questions like that if you had done a proper research. You have no excuse, especially not in this age of technology.





Lie or Forge Documents:


It is common to see people exaggerate or give little white lies in their resume or tell it during the course of their interview. You might want to stay away from that because it would do you no good in the long run.



If you are asked to elaborate on an experience or skill you claim you have, you might hit a wall or unsuccessfully try to get yourself out of the lie. It is altogether safer to stick to the truth.





Appear Disinterested:


Just as you do not want to be rejected, the interviewers do not want to be rejected as well. Therefore, if you go for an interview looking like you were forced or like you are indifferent about the outcome, it gives the impression that you are not interested and so they can give someone else who is.



Your qualifications would not save you if you do not show enthusiasm at the prospect of working for them. Bear in mind that enthusiasm is different from desperation, desperation is just as unattractive.





Appear Arrogant:


You might have the skills and be more qualified than the next person but if the next person appears humble and teachable, he or she would be prepared over you. Nobody wants to work with Mr “know it all,” they are looking for a team player, who can work with others. Act like one.





Playing Around With Unnecessary Props:


Stay away from your phone, nails or any other props that would make you look fidgety. You should know not to text or call or receive a call during an interview. Let your attention be completely on the hiring managers and look like you want to be there.



Unclear Answers or Rambling:


Before you answer any questions, think it through so your answers do not appear vague or ambiguous. You should not feel pressure to start rambling on; you are allowed to take a breather to think your answer through. Of course, taking too much time is also unpleasant so be ready to be proactive and think on your feet but do not ramble on without direction. Make your answers clear and succinct.



Forgetting Copies of Your Resume:


It is a mistake to assume that they have the copies of your resume because you sent it to their mail. Have more than enough copies because you do not know how many people would sit in on your interview. Even if the numbers of copies to bring was specified, bring more to show you go the extra mile. It paints you as an organised person.





Interrupting:


Sometimes, silence is indeed golden. When the interviewer is talking, please do not interrupt. Let them communicate their thought before you talk. Talking too much is not going to help you get a job; restrain can be attractive as well.





Use of Clichés:


There are quite a few phrases that the interviewer has heard so much it has become trite. Phrases like “I am a perfectionist,” “I am a hard worker,” “I work well under pressure” and a few others have been overused. Stay unique; take your time before the interview to think up answers to possible questions.





Taking the Interview Personal:


The interview is not about you, it is about getting the best candidate for the job so try not to make it about you. Whatever you do, do not show anger because the line of questioning is not what you expected or the interview is not going as you expected.



Remain polite no matter the pressure, even at the face of a rejection. You never know if you would need to pass through their doors again, the last thing you need is to burn bridges because you became emotional about an interview.





Discussing Money Early:


Do not focus on money. As a matter of fact, do not bring it up till you have gotten the job. Let your interview be about the value you would add to the company.

When it is not a volunteering job or an unpaid internship, they know they would have to pay you and so, necessarily, it would come up but keep your focus off it for the time being.





Sitting Before Invited:


It might sound trite but do not sit when you have not been invited to. When you enter, greet and wait for them to offer you a seat, and then thank them before taking it. Taking a seat yourself is impolite and can come off as rude.

A lot of people do not miss opportunities at working at their dream job because they lack qualifications, no, they miss it because they are not familiars with the blunders that interviewers look out for. If you pay mind to all these and take note to avoid them, you would find you would have a better chance at doing well at interviews.

23 Likes 10 Shares

Re: 20 Things You Should Never Do At A Job Interview by galaciousbabe(f): 10:48pm On Jun 12, 2017
Cool!!!
Re: 20 Things You Should Never Do At A Job Interview by alukstea(m): 11:13pm On Jun 12, 2017
New set of rules again , I ask Where is the Job ? it's getting harder day by day.

6 Likes 1 Share

Re: 20 Things You Should Never Do At A Job Interview by Amosjaj(m): 7:16am On Jun 13, 2017
Never take tramadol to boost your confidence or smoking kush before going for interview.

2 Likes 2 Shares

Re: 20 Things You Should Never Do At A Job Interview by Dopeyomi(m): 7:17am On Jun 13, 2017
Knew this was gonna hit FP..
Re: 20 Things You Should Never Do At A Job Interview by Benjom(m): 7:17am On Jun 13, 2017
This is a very good article that shouldn't be overlooked by prospective applicants. Thanks for your effort OP.

Hey, would you like to get connected fast to your dream job? Then, get your foundation right by engaging the service of the best CV writer in Nigeria. Here are some of his outstanding CV samples that'll sweep you off your feet: www..com/cv-samples/

.

1 Like 1 Share

Re: 20 Things You Should Never Do At A Job Interview by Onyinye15(f): 7:19am On Jun 13, 2017
angry grin grin grin grin

Forged documents
Re: 20 Things You Should Never Do At A Job Interview by austinoeze(m): 7:23am On Jun 13, 2017
Ok
Re: 20 Things You Should Never Do At A Job Interview by RaeMystix: 7:24am On Jun 13, 2017
Spot on
Re: 20 Things You Should Never Do At A Job Interview by stjudas(m): 7:24am On Jun 13, 2017
Where are the jobs?

1 Like

Re: 20 Things You Should Never Do At A Job Interview by olaolaking: 7:29am On Jun 13, 2017
This type of thread does not sell to all these boys. You will hardly get 2 pages.

They prefer a thread like "Buhari is a cow"

3 Likes 1 Share

Re: 20 Things You Should Never Do At A Job Interview by Gkemz: 7:29am On Jun 13, 2017
All these do's and dont's, Someone can apply them still secure no job. The fact still remains that there's job scarcity to absorb the large number of job seekers in the labor market

1 Like

Re: 20 Things You Should Never Do At A Job Interview by sekem: 7:39am On Jun 13, 2017
Job mentality: the bane of Nigerian graduates

How I wish so many of our students are trained with the right skills to become business owners instead of becoming employees

Can you imagine this sort of nonsense? sad

After spending several tough years in the university doing dy/dx and solving all types of eigenvalues and eigenvectors equations as an engineering student, it all comes down to observing 20 dumb rules at a job interview....

No way!

Fųck that!

Give me my tools let me start building things like a true engineer is supposed to

2 Likes 1 Share

Re: 20 Things You Should Never Do At A Job Interview by BeastOfAfrica(m): 7:40am On Jun 13, 2017
So many tips about job interview and all, for me the only tip is simply be yourself. The company wants a human being not a machine that strives on tips. If being you is good enough for the job then you've got it, this way you don't have to feign anything in your workplace.


Preparation, Information, Confidence, Determination, Smartness and Originality

4 Likes

Re: 20 Things You Should Never Do At A Job Interview by AlexCk: 7:49am On Jun 13, 2017
20 things, 9things, 10things, 3things etc.

Its always these numbers (3,5,7,9,10, etc)

Jeez!!

7 Likes

Re: 20 Things You Should Never Do At A Job Interview by Bauer1: 8:04am On Jun 13, 2017
I haff tire for this interview tips... Stop reading these shits and start building connections.. Welcome to Nigeria!
Re: 20 Things You Should Never Do At A Job Interview by RichThug(m): 8:08am On Jun 13, 2017
Ogbeni wey the job kwanu
Re: 20 Things You Should Never Do At A Job Interview by Kobicove(m): 8:10am On Jun 13, 2017
Bauer1:
I haff tire for this interview tips... Stop reading these shits and start building connections.. Welcome to Nigeria!

There are instances where connections will get your foot in the door but actually clinching the job depends on how well prepared you are for the role undecided

1 Like 1 Share

Re: 20 Things You Should Never Do At A Job Interview by Nobody: 8:19am On Jun 13, 2017
With all these manners,one can still get the job if he or she is well connected.godfatherism rules in Nigeria labour market.
Re: 20 Things You Should Never Do At A Job Interview by Bauer1: 8:29am On Jun 13, 2017
Kobicove:


There are instances where connections will get your foot in the door but actually clinching the job depends on how well prepared you are for the role undecided
You may be right.. but going into the interview with too many of these dos and don'ts in their heads have actually proved to be the undoing of many interviewees.. My point is, know etiquettes, but don't let them make you lose sight of what is important.

2 Likes

Re: 20 Things You Should Never Do At A Job Interview by pastorlams(m): 8:31am On Jun 13, 2017
I was culprit in at least 3 of the cases you mentioned. Ive since learnt my lesson and wont make such errors again. Thanks for the topic

1 Like

Re: 20 Things You Should Never Do At A Job Interview by imstrong1: 8:39am On Jun 13, 2017
Hmm

1 Like

Re: 20 Things You Should Never Do At A Job Interview by Abumtestimony1: 8:47am On Jun 13, 2017
Good but useless tips for independent minded fellow..That's y I prefare self employment that all these slave tips, after most will pay peanuts as salary when your self employed mates would be making relatively higher than you and millions in the near future. How laugh, how to shut door,how to walk, how to keep comport you body, how to look at interviewers...etc Arrant nonsense

1 Like

Re: 20 Things You Should Never Do At A Job Interview by crazyABO(m): 9:07am On Jun 13, 2017
Sheyb na person wey see job go ff all d rules Where the hell is the job undecidedsome doesn't even knw what interview is and have the jobs at there finger tips angrywell thanks anyway op gracias wink
Re: 20 Things You Should Never Do At A Job Interview by herkeym001(m): 9:19am On Jun 13, 2017
Naso them go dey give person interview tips as if those interviewers are that brilliant than interviewee.
I'm sure many people here can remember like 3 or more interviews which they beat the interviewer hands down, and jubilate aftermath with the high hope that the company no get option than to call you soon, but till today nothing nothing.

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