Common Interview Mistakes:
We see candidates at all levels of seniority make the below common interview mistakes. And I actually see candidates make more mistakes during phone interviews than any other type. I wonder if candidates see phone interviews or interviews with recruiters as less important than video or face-to-face interviews with hiring managers.
All interviews matter. Each interview is a gate to progression, so making a great impression during each interview is key. While preparing for your interviews is important, understanding how to avoid common interview mistakes is paramount.
She Wanted To Take The Interview From Her Car
Wait…what?
Now, before you say that you would never propose taking an interview from your car, consider this scenario for a minute. You are traveling (or are onsite or in an airport) and have been invited to interview. You really want (or need) this opportunity but you just aren’t sure how to squeeze in the interview.
Do you take the chance of being passed up because you aren’t available when the interviewer is? Or do you take the interview in the car (or onsite or in the airport)?
The right answer is that you tell the recruiter you will not be in a secure location during the proposed interview time, and you offer alternate times.
If the interviewer or hiring manager doesn’t understand, they don’t respect your boundaries or professional ethics and you should move on. First and foremost, be professional. And taking an interview while you are driving down the highway, or are onsite working for another company, reeks of unprofessionalism.
Is Your Environment Controlled?
One of our CRAs was taking a video interview from his home office when his wife barged in. He scolded her…in front of our client. I get it…I have worked from my home office since the year 2000 and I can tell you that the hardest part of my transition to working from home was training my husband not to bother me during the workday.
Our industry is extremely virtual. Therefore, hiring managers want to know that you can stay focused during the workday. When we prepare candidates for interviews, we coach them to be in a private and secure environment. So while you don’t necessarily have to take the interview from your home office, ensure the location you select is controlled. Put your electronic devices on DND and close down your email and chat programs.
If you are in your home office, ensure you will not be interrupted. Put the pets out of the room and ensure your family knows not to bother you. If you are on a visit, go to a private area where a) you aren’t billing the other client for the time and b) you won’t be disturbed.
Your primary job is to be fully focused on the discussion. Not being attentive or in a controlled environment is likely to make the interviewer feel you are inconsiderate, unprofessional, and not taking the job opportunity seriously.
And never scold your partner in front of a hiring manager (smile).
Do You Have Proper Connectivity?
I was conducting an interview when the candidate’s phone kept disconnecting. After the third time we reconnected, she said “I should have taken this call somewhere else, the signal is always spotty here.”
What?
Everyone has issues with their internet or connectivity at some point. My primary internet has been horrible for the last couple of months, but because I work from home, I have a backup solution. If you are actively interviewing for employment, I suggest you also have a backup to your primary internet.
I used to tell people that they should use a landline for phone interviews. But in today’s world, landlines are almost a thing of the past. At a minimum, make sure that you have a strong internet connection and a backup plan in case your primary internet solution goes out.
How Much Do You Know About the Company?
“Can you remind me what position this interview is for?”
Yep…she actually asked me this question when I called her during our scheduled time. I understand you may be submitting applications to hundreds of positions, but when you are booked for an interview, that is your only application. Make sure you have done your homework. And for goodness sake, don’t make the common interview mistake of not being prepared to discuss the company and position.
It is expected that you have reviewed the company’s website before an interview. If the company has ongoing studies, be sure to review clinicaltrials.gov so that you can speak about their pipeline. Search for press releases and make sure you have researched their executives…and if possible, the person you will be speaking with. We provide a detailed article on how to go about these searches here.
Why is this important? Every hiring manager wants to believe that you have hand-selected their position because it aligns with their goals. So, as a candidate, be prepared to explain why you would select this particular position over every other one.
Are You Striking The Right Balance Between Confidence and Arrogance?
If you are nervous, you are naturally going to speak at a lower volume and stumble over your words a bit. Or, you will speak very quickly and ramble. In a phone interview, the hiring manager will not know if you are nervous, distracted, or simply disinterested. And in a video interview, your lack of confidence may distract you from focusing on eye contact. You may fidget or stammer…or even worse, look like you lack the knowledge or expertise they need.
Don’t let nervousness translate into common interview mistakes. We go into details on how to build rapport during a video interview here, but the key is to learn how to strike the balance between exuding confidence and coming across as arrogant.
In Conclusion
Why jeopardize your chances by making silly common interview mistakes during your interview? If you feel you need additional support, feel free to contact us. We are here to help where we can.