Job interviews in 2023 are quite different from those of the past. With new technology and increased competition, employers expect more out of job seekers. Having a successful interview requires careful preparation and an understanding of these 5 common interview mistakes and how to avoid them. To help you ace your next interview, here are the top 5 common interview mistakes people make and some tips to set you up for success in your 2023 job search:
For a more in depth look at the interview process check out: How Do You Prepare for a Job Interview?
Not Researching the Company:
One of the most common mistakes people make is not thoroughly researching the company before their job interview. It’s important to have an understanding of what the company does, its mission and values, and even how they use technology. Knowing these details will give you a leg up on other candidates who didn’t bother to do their research. This interview tip can be somewhat of a double-edged sword though, so to speak. You don't want to lay it on too thick with your company research and forget about the reason you are there, the open position you are applying for.
Not Preparing for Behavioral Questions:
Many employers are now using behavioral-based questions to evaluate job seekers. These types of questions require the candidate to think on their feet and draw upon personal experiences and stories to answer them. Failing to properly prepare for these types of questions could cost you the job, so it’s important to practice for them in advance. Behavioral questions can be things like, "How would you handle a difficult coworker?" or "How do you prioritize your tasks?". These questions can be easier to answer the more experience you have, but you should be prepared to answer them honestly at any level.
Arriving Late:
This seems like the most obvious of our interview tips but it bares repeating. Lateness is a surefire way to make a bad first impression on an employer and could even lead to you being disqualified from the interview process altogether. To avoid this, it’s important to plan your route before the big day and set multiple reminders so that you won’t be late. On top of planning out your route, including checking traffic at your expected time of commute, always give yourself about a 20 minute cushion to arrive early. This way if anything unexpected happens you have that extra time and if not, then you arrive early and impress your interviewer with your punctuality.
Not Asking Any Questions:
Asking thoughtful questions during an interview shows that you’re engaged and interested in the job opportunity. However, asking too many or poor quality questions can also have a negative effect. Strike a good balance by preparing 4-6 meaningful questions to ask your interviewer about the role, company culture, etc. And we emphasize meaningful, they want to know you are really thinking about what it would be like to work with them. One that we've noticed interviewers like to hear is asking about their tenure with the company and how they like their job. This shows that you are genuinely interested in the culture of the workplace and how you would fit in, potentially long-term.
Showing a Lack of Confidence:
Finally, it’s important to show your interviewer that you’re confident and capable of delivering results. Demonstrate this through your eye contact, posture, body language, and even how you dress for the interview. This tip also extends to enthusiasm, your interviewer wants to see you are passionate about your work, demonstrating how diligently you will apply ourself to your work once hired. This can be a tough one for some. Not everyone is that confident and enthusiastic naturally, but you need to appear so in your field of expertise. So remember that old saying, "fake it 'till you make it". We find it helps to think of why you are at the interview in the first place. Someone saw your experience and thought you were worth talking to, so act like it.
There are certainly more common interview mistakes that candidates make. As well as things you can do to go the extra mile, like sending a follow up thank you note to your interviewer. But with these interview tips you will be ready to avoid the most common interview mistakes people make in job interviews in 2023 and give yourself the best chance of success. Good luck! And if you are looking for more help, reach out to us at SkillsetGroup anytime for help with your next opportunity!
Cox, R. (2023). 5 Common Mistakes People Make in Job Interviews in 2023. The Career Insider.
Klebba, D. (2023). Prepare for Behavioral Interview Questions in 2023. The Job Outlook.
Reed, C. (2023). How to Prepare for a Job Interview in 2023. The Job Network.
Wise, J. (2023). Top Tips on How to Impress at Your Next Job Interview in 2023. The Job Oracle.
Forbes (2023) These Overlooked Interview Mistakes are Costing You the Job
