Job Interviews don'ts - Avoid These Common Mistakes

Besides these bullet points, just use common sense. Dress and groom appropriately, don’t be late, bring a copy of your resume, don't smell like smoke or food, get a good night's sleep, eat the right meal at the right time, be polite, be relaxed, don't talk about politics or religion, don't stress out excessively, and most importantly – work with these Tips and PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE! You are going to ace it.

Here are Some Job Interview Don'ts Which You Must Avoid.

Job Interview don'ts - Avoid These Common Mistakes

Don't ever lie. Your First Impression Matters on Interviewer so Don't be dishonest in an interview. It will come back around and get you. You can, however (within reason) exaggerate, omit, be ambiguous if necessary, and talk in superlatives. You are trying to sell yourself, after all. Advertisers have no qualms about making strong claims about their product or service. Do the same for yourself. Put your best foot forward and pump yourself up – but never lie.

Don't take your accomplishments for granted. No matter how small, or how few, your accomplishments are important. Package them and position them so that they demonstrate your desirable Behavioral Competencies and show that you will be successful at your new job. Don’t forget to make your accomplishments measurable in terms of saving time and money, or making your colleagues, clients, and superiors feel more secure, respected and admired.

Don't be too modest. Job interviews are not the time to be modest. By all means, don't be cocky or overbearing, but DO make flat out statements like "Based on my skills, and experience with "X," I really do think that I would be a great addition to your team." If anywhere, the job interview is the right time and place to toot your own horn.

Don't be constrained by official job descriptions. Your role and responsibilities are often more than your past or future "official titles" may indicate. Think of yourself as equally as important as the Vice President or CEO within your sphere of influence. If you think of yourself as an important person who has a job to do, then others will think of you in the same way. Indicate that you are willing to take on tasks outside the official job description as necessary and appropriate.

Never volunteer any negative information about yourself. Don't testify against yourself. If asked your greatest weakness, reply with a weakness you have conquered, or tell the interviewer about a weakness that may actually indicate a strength, like "sometimes I get impatient with teammates who are not as organized as I am." Don't ever describe any job requirement or task that you did not like.

Don't criticize your former boss or employer. Talking trash about past jobs, bosses, colleagues or clients never pays off – in interviews and life in general. It is better to be a person who does not gossip or talk trash about other people.

Don't inquire about salary, vacations, or other benefits until after you've received an offer, or when you are close to the offer stage. It makes sense that you should build your own perceived value as high as you can before you ask for the money. You will be able to price yourself higher this way. However, you must be prepared for a question about your salary requirements. Some interviewers may even ask this up front. Go into every interview with an idea of the probable salary range for the position. Be prepared with an understanding of the market rate for the type of position you are interviewing for. If the subject of salary is brought up and you must address it, then ask for the highest number. ALWAYS ASK FOR WHAT YOU WANT, or you won't get it. You will regret low-balling yourself, so ask for the high number, but make sure it is within the right range so you don't appear stupid or greedy – or price yourself out of the job.

Don't feel pressured to answer every interview questions. Sometimes the best answer is "I don't know." If you don't know the answer, say so. You can't know everything. Use times like these as an opportunity to demonstrate your willingness to learn. By all means, do not try to BS something that you know nothing about. Change the subject or answer with a different S.T.A.R. Story if "I don't know" is not in your vocabulary.

Checkout our post on 9 Key Interview Tips You Need to Prepare Well For Upcoming job Interview