| The purpose of this article is to cover the | | | | with you and ask them to provide feedback. |
| most frequent mistakes made by applicants. | | | | For your convenience, we have a Mock |
| Although most of these points appear to be | | | | Interview Exercise that simulates a real |
| common sense, human resource professional | | | | interview and contains grading tools to show |
| often witness these pitfalls. For more | | | | ways to improve and reveal answering |
| information visit our resume and job | | | | patterns. You can also enhance this exercise |
| interview training and services on one of the | | | | with the use of an audio/video recording |
| largest job sites in Canada, US and UK. | | | | tool. |
| | | | |
| 1. First, turn off your cell phone during | | | | 4. Over answering is one of the most |
| an interview. A ringing cell phone won't | | | | common and easily correctable mistakes. Over |
| impress an interviewer. With today's | | | | answering is also one of the biggest pet |
| reliance on cell phones, in our experience | | | | peeves among interviewer circles. Know when |
| about 1 in every 5 applicants forget to turn | | | | to stop. The interviewer's body language can |
| off their cell phones during an interview. | | | | signal to the applicant when it is |
| | | | appropriate to stop answering. These signals |
| 2. Reciting your resume and cover letter | | | | include briefly looking away, leaning away |
| is also something that's common, but should | | | | from the applicant, and shifting their |
| be avoided. The interview is your chance to | | | | positions frequently during your answer. If |
| expand on these documents and discuss your | | | | you see one of these signs in your next |
| qualifications. | | | | interview, ask yourself: "have I answered the |
| | | | question?" and act accordingly. Try timing |
| 3. Mumbling is another common mistake that | | | | your answer to see the length of your |
| can often be corrected with ease. Some | | | | response. On average most people take |
| applicants mumble, are soft-spoken, or | | | | between 5 to 7 mins to answer which exceeds |
| perhaps have a slight accent. Remember to | | | | the attention span of most interviewers. |
| speak up and speak clearly when you are in a | | | | |
| job interview. | | | | 5. Avoid being negative. While your |
| | | | previous employer may have been a tyrant and |
| A useful exercise to refine interview skills | | | | difficult to work for, it is not to your |
| is the use of role-play. Find someone who is | | | | advantage to speak negatively about past work |
| willing to role-play some interview questions | | | | experiences. |