Leading up to an interview you prep, pick out an outfit, try to work through your nerves. You go through your checklist of things you need to do before, during and after your interview. You’re always told what you need to do during your interview but no one ever really tells you what you shouldn’t do. Don’t worry though, we’ve got you covered!

Be Late

First things first, make sure you are there on time! Better than on time, be a little bit early. Five to ten minutes is ideal. Any earlier and you may be putting the interviewer in an awkward spot. If you’re late, you show that you don’t have the preplanning or respect to be there on time. Exception to the rules as always, but if you are late for a reason you can’t avoid, make sure you call and give them a heads up.

Just sit down anywhere

You want to make sure that you’re coming across confident, but you don’t want to seem too comfortable. When you walk into an interview, don’t go ahead and sit just anywhere. This seems like you have little respect for the interviewer and company. Shake their hand and let them ‘guide’ you to where to sit.

Fidget 

Fidgeting can seem rude and can be taken the wrong way. If you’re constantly moving around, you may be sending the signal that you’re bored or uninterested. It’s understandable that you could be nervous and need to move around, but try to sit still!

Be negative about your previous employer

You are either leaving your previous job for a new challenge or it isn’t the right fit. There are polite ways to brush off why you are leaving or have left. If you trash your old employer, that doesn’t send the best message to someone you want to hire you.

Leave without asking questions

When an interview comes to an end, you want to seem as though you are still engaged. It doesn’t matter what your question is, just ask anything! If you’re stumped, ask your interviewer what their favourite thing is about working at the company.

Image courtesy of: Adobe Stock

By: Megan Renaud, Vancouver, @meganbrigette