What are the most common interview mistakes and how can you avoid them?

We often emphasize what the interviewee will say, how they will word things, and how they will express themselves. I often think that the listening aspect is sometimes underserved. Really listening to what the interviewer is saying and, sometimes more importantly, how they say it. The questions that come live from the interaction can be at least as valuable as what has been prepared. It is vital to remember that this is a rapport building event, human to human (when you get to be with a human, that is.

The saying If you fail to prepare, prepare to fail is particularly true for interviews. Find out what the company mission is, how you can contribute and look at the LinkedIn profile of key people, especially those with whom you are to meet and impress. Look professional, be punctual and rehearse your top accomplishments so you can deliver with confidence.

I find that lack of preparation is a HUGE factor. Practice makes perfect but perfect practice is even better! Break down that Job Description into deliverables and then come up with your STAR stories. Ensure your answers are concise and follow the STAR model when answering. Look up your interviewers on LinkedIn prior to the interview. Be ready to ask insightful questions that one couldn't easily find out by looking at their website or social media posts. I have always been impressed with smart questions. Send thank you acknowledgements within 24 hours of interviewing and recall a memorable topic that resonated with your interviewer. If you don't have their email, ask the recruiter to forward on your behalf. Now, Rock it!

Prepare, prepare, prepare .... even when it's your 10th interview. Always prepare. Check the company, check the interviewer(s), think about yoour own motivation for the job.

Based on my experience, focusing on what content YOU want to bring across without trying to connect with the person interviewing you, is setting you up for failure. I see interviews like any other occasion where you try to show your best self, while connecting with the person sitting in front of you - just like a date! For a successful conversation, start by thinking of who they are, what their wants & needs are, and tailor your talking points according to that, while showcasing the best version of your authentic self.

While I agree that preparation and reflection is key I always worry about preparing answers too much as they then come across as scripted and not authentic anymore. I would not practice the answers but rather reflect on the impact you want your answer to have. What are the two or three things you want your interview partner to know at the end of the interview? Then practice how to make those points clear

Practicing and being prepared is a minimum requirement. Where people go wrong is they think the perfect answer will be the perfect answer for everyone, but with people and completely different roles/leaders its not. One answer can be the right answer for one interviewer, but the completely wrong answer for another. So yes you need to be prepared, but you also need to be able to get the cheat-sheet to the interview during the interview and/or before, so you know how to position yourself as the answer to their problems/needs!

I agree! Practice is very important! I recommend video recording your practice responses. In addition to your words, pay close attention to tone and facial expression. No matter how many interviews you’ve experienced in your life, practice is always key!!

Here's a trick: Instead of memorizing answers, write down 4-7 examples of your biggest wins in the workplace. End each example by explaining the impact, don't just say project was complete on budget and on time, add in that you saved x$, y hours, gives the customer... Practice verbalizing these examples; you want enough context for someone you don't know to understand without going into unnecessary details. Hit the key points. During the interview, you can have a copy of the examples with you. When they ask questions, choose one of the examples that fit the best. It won't be completely scripted, but you will always be pulling from your best examples, so you don't walk away and say, darn I should have told them about this example instead.

One thing I have always found impactful is first impressions. It's a low hanging fruit but I have seen candidates making quite a few mistakes. Some suggestions are: - Dress well and be before time - Research the hell out of your interviewer. It's easy these days via LinkedIn. - Exert confidence, maintain eye contact and have a smile.

Two things to get comfortable with are thinking about your responses before giving them and acknowledging when you don't know something. A little silence isn't a bad thing...consider the question thoughtfully and find a good story from your past that helps paint a picture of your response in action. And, much of any job is figuring out how to tackle novel situations. Demonstrating your comfort in not having the answer but asking questions and demonstrating how you would go about understanding something new to you are both powerful.

Siempre recomiendo tres respiraciones profundas y un ejercicio mental de "colocarte" en serenidad, confianza en ti mismo y "espíritu de victoria" antes de entrar a una entrevista. Si afrontas la entrevista sereno y desde el estado mental adecuado, todo lo demás viene por añadidura.

In life generally being something you’re not, is hard work and unlikely to be sustainable for any length of time. Therefore, in interviews situations as well its arguably the easiest thing to notice is someone being unauthentic. The advice i would give any potential candidate is have an appreciation with any question asked, what behavior or skill the interviewer is looking for you to demonstrate, however, if you don’t have prior experience be confident to say I’ve not had the opportunity to do this in my career to date, however, this would be the approach i would take….Versus trying to bluff your way through faking a situation or pretending to answer a question in a way you feel the perfect candidate would.

I agree! Employers are not looking for the “right” answer, they are hoping to learn more about your perspective, based on background and experience. Candidates should use this opportunity to set themselves apart!

Sich "gut" verkaufen ist ein häufiger Fehler. Bewerber denken oft, sich müssten besonders attraktiv erscheinen, wodurch sie unauthentisch werden. Tatsächlich aber muss der Bewerber zur Firma passen, aber auch die Firma zum Bewerber. Sei authentisch und führe das Gespräch auf Augenhöhe, so haben alle Beteiligten am meisten vom Bewerbungsgespräch.

Any candidate that sends me a thank-you note (e-mail or in the mail) automatically moves to the next stage. That one act of kindness means the world to me.

Following up after an interview is an important step that should not be overlooked. It allows you to demonstrate your professionalism, reiterate your interest in the role, and address any concerns or gaps that may have arisen during the interview. Sending a thank you note within 24 hours is a good practice, as it helps the interviewer remember you and shows your genuine interest in the job. In your note, you can highlight your main strengths, achievements, and contributions that make you a strong fit for the role. It's also important to keep in touch with the interviewer until you hear back from them, maintaining a polite, respectful, and patient attitude. Avoid being too pushy, desperate, or demanding.

Das persönliche Debriefing ist für mich eines der wertvollsten Werkzeuge, sowohl nach Gesprächen als auch nach Präsentationen. Was ist ein persönliches Debriefing? Wie bei den Spezialkräften. Nach jeder Mission gibt es eine Nachbesprechung: - was ist gut gelaufen? - was mache ich wieder genauso? - und was muss ich verbessern? Dein Debriefing hilft dir, nach Gesprächen und Präsentationen beim nächsten Mal die Dinge, die gut gelaufen sind, zu erinnern. Und die Dinge, die du verändern willst, beim nächsten Mal besser zu machen. Auch bei deinen Vorstellungsgesprächen.

Yes. Always send a thank you email. Express your gratitude for the opportunity and reiterate your interest in the role. You never know where and how you may end up working or connecting with them

El seguimiento además te permite conocer el estatus de tu proceso, y en aquellos casos en los que se cierre sin ser elegido, re-enfocar tus esfuerzos en otras oportunidades.

Job interview particularly for Executives isn't one way. Executives are not meant to answer questions. Did you know they would need to ask right questions? This is part of what we do in getting them interview ready.

An African proverb says, "Examine what is said and not who speaks." Take feedback to heart and digest it properly, for it is a gift. Feedback is not personal but it is a personal gift.

Feedback is a the ultimate growth mechanism for executives. Many executives have had long careers where we’ve assumed senior leadership roles for a decade or longer. It’s not uncommon to want to showcase this expertise in the interview process, though being open minded, receptive to feedback and present to the opportunity at hand may be a better way to showcase your talent. Rapidness to learn and implement feedback, affirming and constructive, will accelerate any growth process, including executive interview success.

Expanding on the idea of learning from feedback, it's beneficial for candidates to approach feedback as a continuous improvement tool. Seeking input not only from interviewers but also from mentors or peers can provide diverse perspectives for comprehensive self-reflection. Embracing both successes and failures as learning opportunities fosters a growth mindset, enabling candidates to refine their approach, adapt strategies, and continually enhance their interview performance.

Firstly you need to receive feedback which does not always happen unfortunately. A great way of getting live feedback is asking this: 'do you have any reservations about me or my experience' you will 9/10 get feedback which you should take note of and the interviewer will respect your maturity to ask and will challenge them to think about you seriously. Do learn from feedback that you do receive that is important.

Be prepared for the next opportunity in life. One of the examples which I would like to share is an interview during my first job. The head of Human Resources asked me if I would not get selected, what would I do next? My answer was - move on, learn and prepare for the next interview. I got that job. The HR head later mentioned that he really liked my attitude on that day amongst all the other candidates. This approach has helped me always, being willing to learn and move forward in my life as a true professional is what matters.

Preparation for executive interviews requires a different mindset focused on influence, independent strategic thinking and leveraged value. Here are 4 mistakes to avoid: 1. Avoid scripted answers to common questions - instead provide deliberate responses that demonstrate a deeper expertise backed by prudent communication skills. 2. Don’t focus excessively on technical proficiencies; instead discuss representing the company within your function. 3. Rather than paraphrasing resume bullets that may not apply, be ready to articulate your thought processes and proven principles. 4. When responding to competency or experience questions, share operating frameworks rather than play-by-plays; illustrate your methods versus just what happened.

Avoid being negative. When asked about your previous employer, the company, culture, coworkers, etc. - resist the temptation to speak negatively. You will look unprofessional and most likely not get the role. Turn negative experiences into positive lessons learned and answer accordingly.

Not every job is for you. Don't want what you don't want. Don't try to fit into any role or settle for some role just to have a job.

These are the three most common interview mistakes from my experience as a hiring leader for over 20 years. 🧐 when asked to “tell me about yourself,” reciting your resume 👉Instead, articulate a powerful intro pitch 🤔when answering a question stating a fact. 👉Instead, use the power of storytelling using the STAR method 😱When asked, “What questions do you have for us?” Saying nothing all is good. 👉Instead, ask a powerful question: What does success look like for this role a year from now? What would you say are common interview mistakes in your experience?