Make sure you stand out to the hiring manager for the right reasons by avoiding 5 devastating job interview mistakes you don’t know you’re making.
Data shows that out of every 250 resumes submitted for a job opening, only about 6 candidates make it to the interview stage.
Securing a job interview is a significant achievement. It means you’ve created a strong resume and cover letter that highlight your skills, and now a recruiter wants to learn more about you and your career goals.
To turn that opportunity into an offer, you must avoid subtle mistakes that could trip you up — ensuring you present yourself in the best possible light. Let’s take a look at 5 devastating job interview mistakes you don’t know you’re making and how to tiptoe around them without breaking a sweat.
Mistake 1: Over-Using Industry Jargon
Using industry jargon can be a double-edged sword in job interviews. While it may seem like a way to showcase expertise, relying heavily on technical terms can create a communication barrier between you and the interviewer, especially if they are not familiar with all the jargon. This lack of a clear communication is one of the most common job interview mistakes.
Chances are, IT companies will have HR personnel who are more tech-savvy than the average person, but they’re still not devs. Save the lingo for the final interview with your would-be superior.
Additionally, using too much jargon can alienate the interviewer, making them feel excluded from the conversation and reducing their engagement. It may also give the impression of arrogance, as it can seem like you are trying to impress rather than communicate clearly.
How to Navigate This
Aim to simplify your language and express your thoughts in a straightforward manner. Consider explaining your ideas as if you were speaking to someone unfamiliar with your industry. This approach ensures clarity and helps maintain the interviewer’s interest.
It’s also important to gauge the interviewer’s familiarity with the subject matter; start with simple explanations and adjust your language based on their responses.
Focus on highlighting experiences and skills that are directly relevant to the job, avoiding unnecessary technical details that do not add value to your candidacy. The best way to do that is by practicing conveying this before the interview.
Mistake 2. Focusing Too Much on Your Own Achievements
Many candidates spend too much time talking about their own achievements without connecting them to the company’s needs. While it’s important to highlight your successes, an interview isn’t just about showcasing what you’ve done — it’s about demonstrating how you can bring value to the potential employer.
When candidates focus solely on their own accomplishments, they risk coming across as self-centered or out of touch with the company’s objectives. This approach can lead to disengagement, as the interviewer might find it difficult to see how your past experiences align with the company’s needs and goals.
How to Navigate This
Employers are interested in how your past experiences and skills will translate into solving their current challenges.
Relate your accomplishments directly to how they can benefit the employer. For example, instead of just stating that you increased sales, explain how the strategies you used could help the company achieve similar outcomes, like boosting their revenue or market share.
Likewise, don’t forget to take care of details not necessarily related to your experience. If you’ve freelanced and know how to extract data from invoices, you’ll immediately be flagged (in a positive manner) for having a skill, especially if it’s an intangible one, that’s useful to the company.
Everything is about big data and AI nowadays, so just knowing the concept of data extraction and how to apply it, will put you leaps and bounds above other candidates. The key is to make yourself useful and have them think the organization is losing out by not hiring you.
Mistake 3. Bad-Mouthing a Previous Employer
When you speak negatively about a former employer, it often reflects poorly on you rather than on the company you are criticizing. It can make you appear unprofessional, petty, or difficult to work with, as hiring managers may worry that you will speak similarly about their company in the future. As good as it may feel, this is still one of the 5 devastating job interview mistakes you don’t know you’re making.
This behavior can also suggest unresolved issues and a lack of maturity, as it indicates that you might be holding onto past grievances rather than focusing on future opportunities. Moreover, it can create a negative atmosphere during the interview, which can overshadow your qualifications and skills.
How to Navigate This
Instead of badmouthing your former employer, focus on framing your departure from a previous job in a positive or neutral light. If asked why you left, emphasize what you learned from the experience and how it has prepared you for the new opportunity.
For example, instead of highlighting conflicts or dissatisfaction, you could say, “I’m seeking new challenges that better align with my career goals,” or “I’m looking to apply the skills I’ve gained in a more dynamic environment.”
This way, you demonstrate maturity, resilience, and a forward-looking perspective, all of which are attractive qualities to potential employers.
Mistake 4: Displaying Inappropriate Levels of Enthusiasm
Enthusiasm during an interview is important, but displaying inappropriate levels — either too much or too little — can harm your chances of landing the job.
If you come across as overly enthusiastic, you might seem desperate or insincere, which can be off-putting to interviewers. It can also distract from your qualifications and responses, as the interviewer might perceive you as immature or overly eager without substance.
On the other hand, too little enthusiasm can make you appear disinterested or unmotivated, leading the interviewer to question your genuine interest in the role. Play it safe and just convey your emotions rationally.
How to Navigate This
To navigate this, it’s important to strike the right balance in your demeanor. Show genuine interest in the role by researching the company and preparing thoughtful questions that demonstrate your engagement.
Use positive body language, such as making eye contact, smiling, and using gestures to emphasize your points, to maintain a moderate level of excitement. Avoid over-caffeinating before the interview, as this can lead to jitteriness or excessive energy. Instead, focus on being composed and articulate in your responses.
Mistake 5. Neglecting to Ask Insightful Questions
When candidates fail to ask questions, it can signal to the interviewer that they are either not fully engaged or lack genuine interest in the role and the company. This missed opportunity can also make it seem as though the candidate hasn’t done their homework or doesn’t care enough to learn more about the position or the organization.
Asking thoughtful questions is crucial because it shows that you are taking the interview seriously and that you’re genuinely interested in how you can contribute to the company’s success.
This is especially important when determining the company’s culture before being officially onboarded.
How to Navigate This
Always prepare a few insightful questions ahead of time. Focus on areas such as the company’s goals, challenges, and team dynamics. For example, you might ask:
- What are the biggest challenges the team is currently facing?
- How does this role contribute to the company’s long-term objectives?
- What are the biggest challenges the team is currently facing, and how does this role contribute to addressing them?
These types of questions show that you are thinking strategically and are interested in how you can make a meaningful impact. Don’t overemphasize that, however, as it will seem strange and maybe even artificial.
Conclusion
Candidates often overlook the impact of their actions and words during job interviews, which can lead to missed opportunities.
The way you present yourself and engage with the process can be just as important as your qualifications. Every interaction during an interview, from how you speak about your past experiences to the questions you ask, reflects your professionalism, your understanding of the role, and your readiness to contribute to the company’s success.
Avoiding these 5 devastating job interview mistakes you don’t know you’re making and focusing on clear, professional communication will significantly increase your chances of making a strong, positive impression.