A job interview can be stressful even at the best of times. Not only do you have a small window of opportunity to showcase your talents, the pressure of keeping on top of your game for an extended period of time can be physically and mentally draining.
Fortunately, there are a lot of things a person can do to improve their chances of success in landing their next IT job. There are also things they definitely should not do.
Based on survey findings by Aol, here are three common interview mistakes and how to avoid them in your next job interview.
1. Make a bad first impression
First impressions count. In Aol's study of 2,000 bosses, a significant 33 per cent said they know within the first 90 seconds of a job interview if they would hire the candidate.
Employers cited a number of common mistakes, such as not making eye contact – a huge 67 per cent of bosses reported that candidates failed to do so. More than a quarter (26 per cent) of employers also said a weak handshake was a common and off-putting trait among jobseekers.
2. Dressing down
Whether it's for IT contracting or for full-time employment, dressing appropriately is important for representing yourself professionally.
Appropriate dress may sound quite subjective, but figures show it's important to get this right. A huge 65 per cent of employers said the clothes an interviewee wears could be the deciding factor when choosing which candidate gets the job.
Almost three-quarters (70 per cent) of interviewers said they don't want candidates to dress too flashy, so perhaps leave that power tie at home. Smart dress is usually a safe way to go, and erring on the side of caution is recommended.
3. Not preparing
Particularly when searching for IT jobs, employers are looking to see who has the knowledge to take their business forward. It's important, then, to know a little about their company and be able to talk about it and ask questions confidently.
Aol's research found the most common mistake among interview candidates is being ill-prepared with little or no knowledge about the organisation. Before the interview, make sure you do your research – most companies have an 'about us' page on their website. Also, come armed with questions; employers will be pleased to know how much you want the job.
