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Fifty Ways to Leave Your Interviewer… Cold

The biggest mistakes we see:

  1. Arriving late, or more than 10 minutes early
  2. Poor resume: see Resumes 101
  3. Show up without a resume
  4. Poor handshake
  5. Poor eye contact
  6. Bad breath, body odour, unshaven
  7. Disorganized / disheveled / dirty clothes or shoes
  8. Carrying too much “stuff” (coat / handbag / briefcase / laptop)
  9. Loose tie / stained tie / unpressed shirt / creased suit
  10. Inability to answer the question “tell me about yourself” in a concise soundbite (1 minute or up to 3-5 minutes, depending upon the interviewer)
  11. Interrupting the interviewer
  12. Sitting down before the interviewer
  13. Spreading out on their desk without permission
  14. Not answering the question that was asked
  15. Rambling answer
  16. Answers that are too brief / one word / “yes” / “no”
  17. Answers in the first 10 minutes that are too long (over 45 seconds) or too convoluted
  18. Mobile phone rings audibly
  19. Worse, you answer it!!
  20. Negative comments about any former or current boss, company, or coworker
  21. Too uptight to smile or laugh
  22. Swearing
  23. Making any off-colour, sexist, or discriminatory remark
  24. Telling a joke without being invited to
  25. Not having a joke ready to go if needed
  26. Asking about benefits, salary, vacation
  27. Failing to ask good questions about the company, the role, or the boss
  28. Failing to have properly prepared
  29. Sharing any confidential information from any source
  30. Excessive slang, poor grammar
  31. Talking too fast
  32. Talking too slow
  33. Not asking for the job
  34. Inability to describe why you’re interested in the job
  35. Inability to describe why you’re qualified for the job
  36. Disclosing any prior instance of poor judgement
  37. Suggesting that you take the job less than seriously
  38. Not having any interests outside of the job
  39. Discussing politics, race, religion, sexual preference, country of origin, or that of anyone else
  40. Inability to articulate a clear value proposition
  41. Inability to answer straightforward questions about your resume accurately and consistently
  42. Dirty briefcase or laptop
  43. Too much jewellery
  44. Not committing to future meetings
  45. Asking third interview questions on the first interview
  46. Asking for too much money or responsibility – or not enough!
  47. Chewing gum
  48. Stinking of cigarettes
  49. Dandruff / grooming issues
  50. Obviously nervous – clicking a pen repeatedly
  51. No demonstrated career strategy or ambition

Did we mention not asking for the job? The number one thing you can do is to tell someone you want the job, and explain why you should have it.