10 Reasons Why Your Job Interview Didn't Go Well

These days, companies receive hundreds of resumes for every job opening! If you are fortunate enough to make it past the resume screening and are granted an interview, it's important that you do everything possible to make a good impression! This is your time to shine! However, if you leave the interview feeling like you blew it, maybe one or more of the following reasons are to blame:

1. You arrived over an hour early for your interview! Don't be more than 15 minutes early to your interview. If you arrive earlier than that, wait downstairs, outside or in your car. By arriving too early, you might become a burden to the receptionist out front in the waiting area.
2. You didn't prepare! Don't shrug your shoulders if you're asked about your strengths and weaknesses or your careers goals at this time. Try to anticipate the questions you may be asked ahead of time and have responses ready. Also, make sure to review the company's website before the interview so you'll know about the company and the services or products that they offer.
3. You said too much! TMI stands for "too much information"! Don't ramble on about subjects that are not pertinent to the interview. Be focused and answer the questions precisely. Don't share too much personal information, either; your interviewer doesn't need to know your entire life story.
4. You said too little! It's hard to carry on a conversation with someone who responds with just a simple "yes" or "no". Don't be too modest - now's the time to sell yourself. Don't talk their ears off but answer the interviewer's questions fully and completely.
5. You bad-mouthed your former employer! One of the biggest mistakes a person can make in an interview is to complain about a former employer. It doesn't bode well if you exclaim what a jerk your former boss was, or how unfairly they treated you. In many cases, interviewers tend to side with the company, and that won't help your cause.
6. You answered your cell phone during your interview! I know this might seem like a no-brainer to you, but turn off your cell phone before your interview! Other no-brainers connected to this "faux pas": don't smoke, spit out your gum and don't bring any food in with you.
7. You gave the wrong answers! Listen closely to the questions that are asked and think before you speak. If the job you are applying for is a sales job, don't tell the interviewer that you're not good at sales and don't like to do it. Also, be sure to review your resume and/or job application and get your facts and your job dates straight!
8. You lied! Don't misrepresent your work history or education. Companies will most likely find out if you've been untruthful when they check your employment references and educational degrees. And, they do check!
9. You didn't follow up after the interview! Sending a timely thank you note that reaffirms your interest in the position and in the company is very appropriate. Make sure you take a business card so you'll have the proper spelling of your interviewer's name.
10. You didn't know when to stop following up after the interview! After the thank you note, it's okay to follow up just once more with a letter or phone call. But don't start stalking the employer with daily phone calls to find out if they've made their decision. You must be patient!

If one or more of these reasons sounded familiar to you, don't worry and obsess about it. Unfortunately, you can't go back in time and get a "do over". Just chalk it up to experience, learn from your mistakes and move on to the next interview. Good luck!