Don't Make These Interview Mistakes

Interview mistake #1: Mistaking the interviewer for an administrative assistant.

You show up for an interview with Pat Thompson. Les Nelson. Terry Smith. You are shown into an office with a woman. You ask where Mr. Thompson, Nelson or Smith is. OOOOPS!

Interview mistake #2: Show up late.

Your interview is called for 9:30 AM. You show up at 10. Then you say "OOOOHHHHH! You meant EXACTLY????"

Interview mistake #3: Show up on the wrong day.

Your interview is set for April 8. You show up on April 10. Someone else has been hired. Oh well.

Interview mistake #4: Insult the interviewer.

There are lots of ways to make this interview mistake! "Are you going to be my boss? You're so much older than I am!". "How come you're interviewing me?" "Am I just going to see you today, or will I see someone , important?"

Interview mistake #5: Wear the wrong clothes

Ideally, you are dressed a little more formally than most people at the workplace. So, for a job as a hot dog vendor, don't show up in a tuxedo. For an office job, shorts and a tee shirt are not right. And a bathing suit is almost always wrong (unless, maybe, you want to be a lifeguard).

Interview mistake #6: Question the tasks you are given to do

At many interviews, you will be given tests, or tasks to do. Don't debate these. "Why do I have to do THISSSSSSS????" "Will I be doing this after you hire me?"

Which brings up interview mistake #7: Assume you will get the job.

If you do, you probably won't.