Yet Most Obvious Interview Mistakes People Make
As a recruiter, I am consistently interviewing sales and marketing applicants of all different levels and from all different U.S. and Canadian locations. Speaking in generalities, there is an inverse relationship between the level professional experience of a particular candidate and the frequency of “no-brainer” interview mistakes.
Conversely, this, by no means, is a hard and fast rule. Many make these basic mishaps and end up paying dearly. Below, you will find some of very unprofessional, yet seemingly obvious interview mistakes that are commonly made throughout the interview and employment procurement process.
Showing Up To the Interview Too Early Or Too Late
From my past and current interview observations, too many candidates, most of them younger, feel that the earlier they show up to an interview, the better it reflects upon them. This could not be further from the truth. If, as an applicant, you show up too early to an interview, the person with whom you are meeting has to shuffle around their schedule unexpectedly.
This can be a big annoyance to the person with whom you are meeting as they may have to abruptly end a client call or unexpectedly stop an important activity.
On the other hand, you should never arrive even one minute late to an interview as this could cost you a job. The best advice is to show up 10 minutes early even if that means you have to go grab a coffee and wait. The “10 minute rule” should become part of your interview ritual. Otherwise, you risk consistently falling victim to the aforementioned costly mistake.
No Thank You Note or Belated Thank You Note
The prompt thank you note is the foundation of interviewing success. Yet, not many do it. Instead, they wait a day or two. Even though technology and international business competition has led this country into being a fast paced society, a thank you email takes two minutes and shows both appreciation and interest in the job. In business, response time is crucial. The thank you note is your first chance to prove that you have a firm understanding of this concept and also the importance of it.
