Worst Interview Errors: How Not to Impress a New Employer!

You’ve done the hardest bit, you’ve got through the applications on paper stage and you’ve secured yourself an interview for a job you really want.

Great news! You’ll want to make the most of this opportunity and give the best interview you can in order to give yourself the optimum chance of getting this position.

It’s nerve-wracking to face an interviewer or panel, and you may be unsure of the way to make a good impression. Here’s our quick guide to getting through this process, outlining exactly what you should avoid doing at all costs!

Interview Errors: What NOT to do in an Interview:

1. Arrive late. Arriving late for any kind of meeting suggests that you value your own time more highly than that of the person you are meeting. This is bad form at any time, but especially when you’re going to an interview. Arrive a few minutes early to give yourself time to calm down and relax after your journey, and to give an impression of yourself as an organised, professional person.

2. Dress down. Many offices and workplaces now have a more relaxed approach to work wear, but an interview isn’t the time to test this out. Dress smartly, polish your shoes and wear a big smile – this is the feature that most people notice first, after all!

3. Use bad language. You don’t know how your potential employer feels about bad language, and it certainly doesn’t demonstrate professional respect for the situation you are in. Best behaviour is the name of the game in an interview situation!

4. Don’t criticise the company. Making it clear that your experience will enable you to streamline or improve current practice within the company is a great way to make an impression at interview, but don’t come across as criticising current employees or practice, as you don’t want to offend anyone or risk alienating them.

5. Don’t forget where you are. Ideally, an interviewer will put you at ease and you’ll be able to chat in a friendly manner. However, don’t be too quick to drop your professional persona. Be aware that your interviewer has probably looked you up on social media and if you confirm a suspicion that you might be more interested in partying than working, you probably won’t be invited back for another interview!

Are You Looking For Recruitment Agencies in Cork, Limerick or Galway?

CareerWise is Ireland’s leading specialist Technical and Executive Recruitment firm, and our friendly team are on hand to help you to find great positions in the Medical Device, Sciences/Pharma and ICT industries. For engineering jobs across Cork, Limerick and Galway, call us at CareerWise on +353 (0) 21 206 1900 for a consultation, or contact us online today.

Joe Robbins

(Director) BBS (Hons), MBPICS – Shannon Office

Joe Robbins is co-founder of CareerWise Recruitment. A graduate of the University of Limerick (Degree in Business Studies, 1985), Joe worked in the UK for five years where he specialised in materials management, production management and plant management for a number of companies.

He returned to Ireland in 1992 to become Operations Manager for a Cork-based start-up, FMC Automotive Division which was subsequently taken over by Snap-on Equipment. Joe managed the business re-location of this company to Shannon in 1997 before setting up CareerWise Recruitment in 1999.

He is a committee member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Mid-West region, and a former Director and Vice President of the Shannon Chamber of Commerce. Joe is former Chairperson of the Sixmilebridge Camogie Club and current Chairperson of the Clare County Camogie Board.

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