Unemployment is at a record high and to say that job interviews are hard to come by is an understatement.  So, once you have been offered the privilege/opportunity to interview with a potential employer make sure that you are ready.  Over my 25 years in the recruiting industry I’ve received a lot of feedback from my client companies about how candidates have gotten “this close” to an offer of employment only to blow it on an interview.

Below is a list of mistakes commonly made by many candidates:

• Arriving late:  You should always arrive 10 to 15 minutes early.  We have one client who will not let you enter the building if you are one minute late for the interview!  Traffic, bad directions, etc. don’t matter – be early.
• Not bringing your resume:  If you are in an active job search you should have a folder in your car containing 10+ copies of your resume on good quality paper.  Have it with you at all times as you never know when you will be asked to head out on an interview.
• Not filling out the application completely:  They give you an application for a reason and they want you to fill it out completely.  Don’t put “see resume” on the application, ever.
• Poor grooming:  Let’s use common sense here: Shower – check, deodorant – check, comb your hair – check, less is more with the makeup, clothes cleaned and ironed – check.
• Perfume:  Stop, walk away from the perfume and/or cologne!  Many people are allergic and they won’t tell you.  Or, they may associate the scent with someone from their past (like an ex that they don’t get along with).
• Leaving your cell phone on:  Hello, turn it off – all of the way off.  Vibrating noises emanating from your pocket or purse are distracting to you both!
• Chewing gum/tobacco:  Don’t!
• Jewelry:  There is no other way to say this but LESS IS MORE!  A ring on each hand is appropriate, a ring through your nose, well, not so much.  Remove the numerous earrings from your ears (one or two is acceptable), the tongue piercing needs to go as do the bolts through your eyebrow or lips.  Corporate America just doesn’t get the piercing trend no matter how “in” it may be.  One necklace, one bracelet also would be appropriate – but if in doubt, go without.  You don’t want to distract the hiring official with all of your bling.
• Tatoos:  OK, we get it, body art is in.  But it is not in, in the workplace.  Hopefully you have been smart enough to have your art placed strategically on your body so that it doesn’t show when wearing normal work attire.  Again – Corporate America hasn’t gotten on the body art bandwagon and it doesn’t appear that it will any time soon – cover it up!
• Poor posture:  Don’t slouch, lean back, put your feet up (yes, these things have happened).  You are on a job interview and need to conduct yourself in a professional manner.
• Over-sharing:  A common interview style is to make the candidate feel very comfortable.  The interviewer will ask personal questions, may even share personal stories with you.  The purpose of this is to get you relaxed and for you to let your guard down.  Once you do, you may forget that you are on an interview and reveal a little too much.  Example:  A client of ours once told our candidate that she was new in town and asked about what my candidate did for fun.  Candidate:  On Tuesday night I go to Happy Hour at XYZ, On Wednesday we go to ABC and on Thursday’s the best Happy Hour in town is at the LMNO Club.  What the client heard:  I’m a party girl and I will be hung over almost every day at work.
• Wimpy/Sweaty Palmed Handshakes:  A firm, dry, handshake is always appropriate.  Look the individual in the eyes and greet them with confidence as you shake their hand.

These are but a few of the ways candidates sabotage themselves.  Working with us we will share other tips and guidelines with you to help you through the process.