Experts Say These Common Mistakes Will Ruin Your Job Interview, Including Arriving Too Early

“Interviews are a performance art, and to perform well, you have to rehearse,” LinkedIn career expert Andrew McCaskill says. As such, you just need to learn your part well and step onto the stage with your lines prepared. Some candidates even “prepare for their role” by training with AI.

Emily Levine, executive vice president at recruiting firm Career Group Companies, shared in an interview with CNBC that, in addition to mastering your role, it’s crucial to manage how you enter the scene and interact with the other “actors.”

“You want to make sure that you’re making good eye contact, that you’re reading the room in terms of when it’s appropriate to speak, when it’s appropriate and time to ask questions,” she says.

Don’t Arrive Too Early

An experienced recruiter, Levine has interviewed “thousands and thousands of people” for various positions, including personal assistants and chiefs of staff for A-list celebrities.

Her first piece of advice might sound obvious, but arriving late isn’t an option. While Generation Z may have a different view on punctuality, respecting other people’s time is crucial.

However, arriving too early for an interview can also create a negative impression. According to Levine, “If you show up too early, it’s also too eager and might make the interviewer feel rushed.”

She says the ideal arrival time is five to 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment. This timing allows you to avoid being late while also not being overly conspicuous in the waiting area. “I recommend making sure that you are parked 15 to 20 minutes early in the building,” Levine adds. As such, you’ll be able to manage your time effectively and arrive at the office at the right moment.

No Second Chances for a First Impression

The brain only takes seven seconds to decide whether it likes what it sees. According to various studies by the Association for Psychological Science, this decision is made instinctively and almost subconsciously. As a result, maintaining a good appearance and keeping your presence as neutral as possible can help avoid negative perceptions.

In this process, both sight and smell serve as powerful memory triggers. You want to ensure that the person who’s interviewing you doesn’t remember you for the smell of tobacco or an overpowering perfume.

This principle holds true even during video calls. First impressions remain important. Although the sense of smell isn’t involved, sight and hearing still play crucial roles. Good picture and sound quality during remote interviews have been shown to enhance how candidates are perceived.

Additionally, avoid wearing sunglasses or anything that obscures your eyes or face because this can hinder communication. Levine suggests, “Don’t chew gum, don’t have your sunglasses on your head.” She adds that ideally, you’ll leave “an impression based on your experience, not the way that you’re dressed or you smell.”

Measure Your Words

Levine emphasizes the importance of carefully choosing your words when discussing your previous work experience. During job interviews, it’s common to talk about past roles, but it’s crucial to avoid sharing too much detail or compromising sensitive information.

Some employers require candidates to sign confidentiality agreements to protect their business secrets. If an employee discloses more information than they should after signing an agreement, it can raise red flags.

When discussing your experiences and job functions, do so naturally while keeping details to a minimum. If a question prompts you to reveal any compromising information, you can politely decline to answer and explain your reasons. It’s important not to give in to pressure to disclose sensitive information.

Levine points out that if an interviewer hires you, there may be concerns that you “would most likely do the same” with them and disclose confidential information in the future.

Image | Tim Gouw

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