INTERVIEW MISTAKES THAT INSTANTLY REDUCE YOUR CHANCES

Part 1: Strategic Communication

The first few points deal with how you share information. An interview is a high-stakes conversation, not a scripted performance.

1. The Trap of Over-Explaining (Point #1)

Talking too much often stems from nerves or a lack of preparation. When you ramble, you risk “talking your way out of a job” by revealing inconsistencies or boring the recruiter.

• The Solution: Use the STAR Method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It provides a structural “stop sign” for your brain so you know exactly when to end your answer.

2. The Authenticity Gap (Point #4)

Memorizing answers word-for-word makes you sound like a robot. If you forget one word, the whole “script” falls apart, causing panic.

• The Solution: Memorize bullet points or stories, not sentences. Focus on the impact you made rather than the script you wrote.

3. The “I Don’t Know” Reflex (Point #6)

Saying “I don’t know” immediately suggests a lack of critical thinking. Recruiters often ask “impossible” questions just to see how you handle pressure.

• The Solution: Use “Buying Time” phrases. “That’s an interesting question. Let me think about the best example of that…” This shows you are reflective, not reactive.

Part 2: Soft Skills & Body Language

Interviews are 40% what you say and 60% how you carry yourself. These points address the “unspoken” interview.

4. Non-Verbal Power (Point #5 & #9)

Eye contact isn’t just about being polite; it’s about trust. If you can’t look an interviewer in the eye, they may subconsciously feel you are hiding something or lack the confidence to represent the company. Similarly, dressing carelessly suggests you don’t value the opportunity.

• The Strategy: Aim for the “50/70 Rule.” Make eye contact for 50% of the time while speaking and 70% while listening. For dress code, always aim one level above the office’s daily attire.

5. Active Listening (Point #8)

Interrupting is a “power play” that backfires. It signals that you are more interested in your own voice than the company’s needs.

• The Strategy: Wait two seconds after the interviewer finishes before you start speaking. This ensures they are actually done and gives you a moment to breathe.

Part 3: Professionalism & Mindset

This is where many candidates fail because they treat the interview as a transaction (just for money) rather than a partnership.

6. The “Ex-Boss” Rule (Point #2)

Speaking negatively about a former employer is a massive red flag. The interviewer assumes that if you talk badly about them, you will eventually talk badly about us.

• The Pivot: Frame every negative experience as a “lesson learned” or a “desire for a different type of growth.” Move from “My boss was a micromanager” to “I am looking for an environment that empowers autonomous decision-making.”

7. Doing Your Homework (Point #3)

If you don’t research the company, you are telling the interviewer, “I just want any job, I don’t specifically want this job.”

• Key Research Areas: * The company’s recent news/mergers.

  • The specific challenges of the industry.

  • The background of the person interviewing you (via LinkedIn).

8. The Value Proposition (Point #7 & #10)

Focusing only on salary or failing to ask questions suggests you are a “taker” rather than a “giver.”

• The Closing Strategy: Your questions at the end should prove you are already thinking about the job. Ask: “What does success look like for this role in the first 90 days?” This shifts the conversation from “Give me a job” to “How can I help you succeed?”

Summary Checklist for your Next Interview

Final Thought

An interview is not an interrogation; it is a business meeting. By avoiding these 10 mistakes, you transition from a “supplicant” asking for a job to a “consultant” offering a solution to the company’s problems.