You’ve got a job interview – Congratulations! Now’s your chance to showcase yourself so that they want you for the job as much as you want it. A common trap people fall into when interviewing is that they unintentionally sabotage their interview. Here are the most common five ways to sabotage your interview.

5 Interview Killers

• Don’t Prepare.
• Dress Down.
• Arrive Late.
• Be Vague.
• Act Unprofessionally.

Common Ways to Sabotage an Interview

Most people accidentally sabotage an interview with these five common interview killers. If you’re looking to standout at sabotaging your interview then this is how to do it.

1. Don’t Prepare

Every employer/interviewer wants to know that you are well prepared. It’s an indicator that you’re genuinely interested in the role and the company that you are applying for. So, if you are looking to blow your chances – make sure you know nothing about the culture, company and the specific role. Then when they ask you company related questions or test your knowledge about the role avoid giving any concrete proof that you have researched the company. But by showing you’ve diligently researched and prepared for the interview the employer may think you are actually serious about possibly working there… And you might get the job. So, avoid preparing if you are trying to sabotage your chances.

2. Dress Down

Casual shirts and ripped jeans will go a long way to giving off that vibe of:

• I am super relaxed.
• I will be the life of the office.
• I’ll probably need to be micromanaged.

So, make sure that you wear those baggy jeans and sleeveless shirt. There is a happy middle of dress style that is appropriate for most workplaces. Think white shirt, cream chinos and a blue jersey type of look or tailored pants/skirt and a tucked in blouse. Do everything you can to avoid anything along this dress code. With any luck, your interviewer is wearing a tie and suit to create even more of a disconnect between your style and the company culture.

3. Arrive Late

Being late is one of the best ways to blow your chances of getting a job. It is the first impression without saying any words. Arriving late essentially says “I don’t want this, so please do not take me seriously”. A few minutes with an apology won’t really blow your chances, especially if you’re conscientious and call ahead… Rather make sure you are at least 15 minutes late and then try not to mention it. Just try breeze past any comment or query and quickly sit down. Making up a silly excuse to get a laugh may be a good option here as well. This will also help highlight that you’re not serious about the job.

4. Be Vague

Nothing says “I have no idea what I am doing” than dodging questions. Better yet, try to answer specific questions with abstract thoughts and unrelated stories. Like a family dinner drama or delve into a conspiracy theory about reptilian overlords.

If you are thoughtful and engage each question with specific examples of how your work experience and skill-set will add value, then they may think you’re a good fit. Instead, be sure you stay lofty, vague and disconnected from the direct line of questioning. Tell stories about how you prioritise daydreaming about fishing while at work and sneak in time to binge watch series. Comments like “I prefer to work smart not hard” will go a long way to cementing your sabotage plan. As will filler words like “um, like and you know” which recruiters see as an indication of poor communication skills.

5. Act Unprofessionally

Inappropriate comments or outright lying about things you have done will most likely put a big “declined” in the mind of the recruiter. This is especially effective if you able to think of things that obviously contradict your CV and work experience. Be sure to load your mind with random facts and comments that will derail the conversation. Aim to illicit some inappropriate laughs that compliment your uncontrolled chortling. Unprofessional banter, exaggerated gestures and being over familiar will definitely get you bumped down the potential list of new recruits. And if you have time, perfect the art of belching the alphabet – it’s sure to horrify them.

What Really to do In an Interview

We hope you’ve picked up that this is a satirical take on the interview process. For each of the five ways to sabotage your interview you should do the opposite of what we are “recommending”.

10 Ways to Ace an Interview

1. Make sure you prepare well in advance by researching the company and the role.
2. Practice interview questions in front of a mirror or with someone you trust.
3. Prepare questions to ask them.
4. Dress smartly and appropriately.
5. Arrive on time.
6. Listen attentively and ask follow-up questions if you need something clarified.
7. Use clear, focused answers and avoid rambling. Where relevant use fitting examples that highlight your skill set.
8. Act professionally in how and what you say.
9. Remain mindful of your body language.
10. Be enthusiastic, honest and positive.

All of these elements will give you a good chance at making a good impression so as to go further in the interview process.

Why Use a Recruitment Agency?

Using a reputable recruitment agency as a jobseeker or employer can expedite the recruitment process and increase its chances of success. A jobseeker will get access to a bigger pool of potential jobs that align with their skill set. And a recruitment agency can save an employer time, effort and costs within a recruitment process. The Key Recruitment Group has almost 5 decades of successful recruitment experience. If you’re looking for a job, submit your CV online and browse job opportunities or Contact Us today to discuss your company’s recruitment process needs.

FAQs:

How to prepare for an interview:

Three ways to prepare for an interview are to research the company and role, practice interview questions and prepare questions of your own.

What to avoid in an interview:

Avoid being unprepared, dressing inappropriately, arriving late, answering vaguely or rambling off topic and acting unprofessionally.

Should you take your CV to an interview?

Yes, you should take several neatly printed copies of the CV and covering letter you submitted for the job to your interview.