10 Interview Dos and Don’ts

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Interviews can be the start of a new journey in your career, but first, you need to be successful, making them both exciting but daunting experiences. It’s fair to say that with the right preparation and mindset, you can more confidently navigate interviews.

Whether you’ve had 100 interviews, or are preparing for your first, you must understand the dos and don’ts of interviewing, to enhance your chances of landing the job you're applying for.

In this article, we share 10 interview dos and don’ts you need to know about.

5 Interview Dos

DO: Research the Company

Preparation is an essential step in the job interview process. Set yourself up for success by doing your homework and researching the company you're attending the interview for. Before the interview happens, give yourself an upper hand and take time to have a better understanding of things such as their mission, values and culture. Deep dive into their website to familiarise yourself with the products or services they provide, looking at any recent news articles or press releases. Showcasing your knowledge of the company helps demonstrate your interest and enthusiasm for the role.

DO: Ask Questions

Interviews are a two-way street, which is why it’s essential to have questions prepared before you attend. Asking thoughtful questions shows your genuine interest in the role and the company. Asking questions also helps you better evaluate whether the company is the right fit for you and aligns with your career goals. You can ask about a number of things, such as the company culture, the structure of teams, the challenges being faced, and the opportunities for progression.

DO: Find a Mentor

If you’re someone who struggles with interviews, one of the best pieces of advice we can offer is to find yourself an amazing mentor. From sharing their best industry insights that you can use to impress the interviewer to giving you feedback on your interview skills, finding a mentor is a great way to guarantee you ace every interview you attend. A mentor has been in your shoes before and can share their best advice and guidance to help you succeed. To learn more about mentoring or to find your perfect mentor, check out PushFar.

DO: Arrive on Time

Being punctual to an interview is crucial and making sure you arrive on time is something that can make or break how well the interview goes. Always aim to arrive at an interview at least 10-15 minutes early. Not only does arriving on time allow for unexpected delays and surprises, but gives you time to decompress without rushing straight through the door to the interview. If you’re late it’s the interviewer's first impression of you and might come across that you're disorganised and don’t value people's time.

DO: Prepare and Practice

Interviewing is a skill, which means practice makes perfect. Interviewing isn’t always easy, but practising can help ease your nerves. Start by conducting mock interviews with friends, family and your mentor. This way you can receive feedback on the areas you need to improve. We also recommend recording yourself and analysing your tone of voice and body language, these are things often overlooked but are something that plays an important role in ensuring the interview goes successful. By practising, you will become more comfortable and confident during real interviews.

5 Interview Don’ts

DON’T: Overexert Your Follow-Up

Following up is essential after an interview and we always suggest sending a thank-you email within 24-48 hours after the interview has been conducted, expressing your gratitude and showcasing your interest. This provides the chance for you to make a further positive impression. Whilst it's vital to follow up, it’s important to avoid overstepping boundaries. Never bombard the interviewer with multiple emails, messages or calls and if they have told you they will reach out within a specific timeline, respect it.

DON’T: Overlook Your Appearance

Appearance is the first thing people notice and something you need to focus on if you want to make a lasting impression on the interviewer. Always make sure you dress appropriately for interviews and the company culture. If you’re unsure if the company is more casual or not, it’s always better to be more professionally dressed. If you’re unsure what type of clothing is suitable for an interview, take the time to watch videos online and ask for feedback from friends and family. We also recommend not wearing very strong fragrances as this can be distracting.

DON’T: Skip the Job Description

We’ve all been there, especially, when applying for multiple jobs at once we tend to gloss over the job description. Before an interview, always go back and read in detail the job description, taking note of things such as the required skills, experiences and qualifications they have specifically asked for. By doing this you can be better prepared for the interview and prepare examples to demonstrate the ways you meet the requirements set. This can help you have a more targeted approach and provide the opportunity for you to have more compelling responses to the questions they might ask.

DON’T: Speak Badly About Past Employers

Even if you’ve had a horrible experience in the past with old employers, when it comes to sharing your work experiences with the interviewer, it’s important to avoid speaking badly about previous colleagues or employers. If you criticise past employers during the interview process, it can come across as unprofessional and raise red flags. Instead of focusing on the negatives, share what you learned from the experiences and how you've grown professionally.

DON’T: Take Rejections Personally

Rejections, as hard as they can be, are a part of life and an extremely common part of the job-hunting process. Never take rejections too personally and instead of viewing them as a failure, think of them as an opportunity for growth and reflection. By doing this, you’re able to learn from any past interview mistakes. Reflect on the things you have learned from each interview and use it as a way to help you improve for your next one. Maintaining a positive attitude is essential, without it, you can hinder your performance in future interviews you might have.

Conclusion

The job interview process can be taxing, but by understanding the dos and don’ts you significantly increase your chances of success. By effectively preparing and exhibiting professionalism, you can create a positive impression of yourself. Keep a positive mindset and remember that every interview is a learning opportunity, whether it’s successful or not.