What Are The 5 Most Common Interview Mistakes?
Even the most qualified candidates can blow their chances by making simple, avoidable mistakes during the interview. The question now becomes What Are The 5 Common Interview Mistakes?
I’ve seen it happen countless times, and trust me, it’s heartbreaking to watch someone lose out on their dream job because of errors that could have easily been prevented.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the 5 most common interview mistakes that could cost you the job, and more importantly, how to avoid them.
By the time you finish reading, you’ll know exactly what not to do, so you can walk into your next interview with confidence and land that position.
Why Your Interview Mistakes Really Matter
An interview is your one shot to make a lasting impression on your potential employer.
It’s not just about your qualifications on paper anymore , it’s about showing them who you are as a person, how you’ll fit into their team, and whether you’re genuinely interested in the role.
One small mistake can change the interviewer’s perception of you entirely. They might start doubting your professionalism, your enthusiasm, or your ability to handle the job.
The good news is that, once you know what these mistakes are, they’re incredibly easy to avoid.
The 5 Most Common Interview Mistakes And How to Avoid Them
1. Lack of Preparation
This is by far the most common mistake I see candidates make, and it’s also the most damaging.
Walking into an interview without proper preparation is like showing up to an exam without studying. You might get lucky, but chances are, it won’t end well.
What does the act of not being prepared” look like?
It means you haven’t researched the company, you don’t know much about their products or services, you haven’t reviewed your own CV thoroughly, and you definitely haven’t thought about the questions they might ask you.
When an interviewer asks, “What do you know about our company?” and you give a vague answer or worse, admit you don’t know much, you’ve already lost major points.
How to avoid this mistake:
Start your preparation a few days before your interview, not the night before.
Visit the company’s website and read through their “About Us” page. Check out their social media channels to see what they’ve been posting about recently. Look at their press releases to understand their latest achievements and directions.
Get familiar with your own CV as well. You’d be surprised how many people forget the details of their previous roles or achievements when put on the spot.
Prepare answers for common interview questions like “Tell me about yourself,” “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” and “Why do you want this job?”
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Also, plan your route to the interview location ahead of time. Aim to arrive no more than 10 minutes early – it shows good time management skills and respect for the interviewer’s time.
One more thing: make sure you’ve eaten and are well-hydrated before the interview. Visit the toilet just before you go in. These small things ensure you’re comfortable and can give your complete focus to the interviewer.
2. Avoid bringing up salary and benefits too early
I get it, salary is important. It’s probably one of the main reasons you’re looking for a job in the first place.
But here’s the truth: bringing up salary during your first interview, especially if the interviewer hasn’t mentioned it, is a major red flag.
Why is this a mistake?
When you bring up salary too early, it sends the message that you’re more interested in the money than the actual role or the company. It makes you seem transactional rather than genuinely excited about the opportunity.
The same applies to benefits like holidays, flexible working arrangements, and company perks.
How to avoid this mistake:
Unless the interviewer brings up the topic of salary, don’t mention it during your first interview.
Focus instead on showing them why you’re the perfect fit for the role, what value you can bring to the company, and why you’re excited about the opportunity.
There will be time to discuss salary and benefits later, usually during subsequent interviews or when they’re ready to make you an offer.
If the interviewer asks about your salary expectations, that’s fine. Answer honestly but briefly, then steer the conversation back to the role itself.
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For example, you could say, “I’m looking for a salary that’s competitive for this role and reflective of my experience. However, I’m more focused right now on finding the right fit, and I believe this position offers that.”
3. Don’t be arrogant
There’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance, and crossing that line can cost you the job.
According to a recent survey, a staggering 84.9% of interviewers describe overconfidence and arrogance as a major turn-off during interviews.
What does arrogance look like in an interview?
Arrogance is like walking in like you’ve already got the job. It’s talking over the interviewer or dismissing their questions. It’s bragging about your achievements without backing them up with facts.
Arrogance makes you seem difficult to work with and suggests that you won’t be a good team player.
How to avoid this mistake:
Be confident, but stay humble.
It’s absolutely fine to talk about your achievements and abilities, in fact, you should! But do it in a way that’s backed up by evidence rather than empty boasts.
One of the best ways to do this is to give your interviewer specific figures, statistics, and facts from your previous work experience.
For example, instead of saying, “I’m really good at sales,” say, “In my previous role, I increased sales by 30% over six months by implementing a new customer outreach strategy.”
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This approach shows the interviewer concrete proof of your abilities without coming across as arrogant.
Also, remember to listen actively and respect the interviewer’s time and questions. Show genuine interest in learning about the company and the role, rather than treating the interview like a one-way showcase of your talents.
4. Avoid criticising your previous employer or job
At some point during the interview, you’ll almost certainly be asked why you’re leaving your current role or why you left your previous job.
This is a tricky question, and how you answer it can make or break your chances.
Why is criticizing your old job a mistake?
If you say you hated your line manager, complain about the company culture, or bad-mouth your colleagues, it raises serious red flags for the interviewer.
They’ll start wondering: “Will this person say the same things about us if they leave?” or “Is this candidate difficult to work with?”
Even if your previous job was genuinely terrible, complaining about it during an interview makes you look unprofessional and negative.
How to avoid this mistake:
Stay positive and professional, no matter how bad your previous experience was.
Instead of criticizing your old employer, frame your answer around what you’re looking for in your next role.
For example, you could say:
- “I’m looking for a new challenge and an opportunity to grow my skills.”
- “I want to be part of a larger company where I can make a bigger impact.”
- “I’m interested in working in a more collaborative environment.”
- “I’m excited about this company’s mission and want to contribute to it.”
These are all perfectly valid, professional reasons for wanting to leave a job, and they don’t involve throwing anyone under the bus.
Even if the interviewer probes further, keep your answers diplomatic. You can acknowledge challenges without being negative or personal.
5.Learn to ask questions at the end of the interview
At the end of almost every interview, the hiring manager will ask, “Do you have any questions for us?”
Surprisingly, the most common answer to this question is “No.”
This is a huge missed opportunity.
Why is this a mistake?
When you don’t ask any questions, it sends the message that you’re not really interested in the role or the company. It suggests you haven’t thought deeply about the position or whether it’s the right fit for you.
It also means you’re missing out on valuable information that could help you make a better decision if you’re offered the job.
How to avoid this mistake:
Always, always prepare questions to ask at the end of the interview.
These questions should be thoughtful and show that you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested in the role.
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Here are some examples of good questions to ask:
- “What does success look like in this role after the first six months?”
- “Can you tell me about the team I’ll be working with?”
- “What are the biggest challenges facing your department right now?”
- “How does this role contribute to the company’s overall goals?”
- “What opportunities are there for professional development and growth?”
Whatever you do, don’t ask questions that you should have already answered through your research, like “What does your company do?” or basic information that’s clearly stated on their website.
Avoid asking questions only about things that benefit you, like “When can I take vacation?” or “How soon can I get promoted?” Save those for later stages.
Conclusion
Interview mistakes are common, but they’re also completely avoidable once you know what to look out for.
To recap, the 5 most common interview mistakes are:
- Not being fully prepared
- Bringing up salary and benefits too early
- Being arrogant instead of confident
- Criticizing your previous employer
- Not asking questions at the end
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By avoiding these mistakes, you’ll immediately set yourself apart from other candidates and significantly increase your chances of landing the job.
Remember, an interview is your opportunity to show the employer not just that you’re qualified, but that you’re the right person for their team.
Prepare thoroughly, stay professional, be confident but humble, keep things positive, and show genuine interest in the role and the company.
Do these things, and you’ll walk out of that interview knowing you gave it your best shot.