Here are some common interview mistakes:
• Failing to express oneself clearly. Often, because of anxiety and
wanting to say things perfectly, we try too hard and turn what
should be simple sentences into convoluted nonsense. Simple
language is always the most effective. Avoid trying to sound
knowledgeable by using jargon or complex sentences.
• Not being aware of one’s body language. Many interviewees succeed
in alienating the interviewer because they pay little or no
attention to their body language. Body language is an extremely
powerful communicator, and failing to use it effectively will
almost certainly put you at a significant disadvantage. Eye contact,
sitting position and facial expressions are all very important
aspects of interviewing, and need to be thought through before
the interview.
• Failing to control those nerves. Sometimes people allow their nerves
to get so out of control that they fail to establish rapport and
even forget their answers. Feeling anxious before and during an
interview is common. In fact, a touch of nerves can be a good
thing. But there is no need to be the victim of debilitating nerves.
As you read through this book, you’ll gradually learn how to
lessen your anxiety.
• Failing to give appropriate examples. Failing to give examples, or
giving inappropriate examples, will spell disaster. Before the
interview, it is important to think of relevant examples of what
you’ve achieved and how you went about realising those
achievements. Saying that you achieved something without
being able to back it up with specific examples will only get you
a rejection letter. Your examples need to be easy to understand,
follow a logical sequence and be relevant to the needs of the
employer. None of this happens without preparation.
• Trying too hard to please the interviewer. Whilst building rapport
and trust during the interview is critical, few interviewers appreciate
interviewees going overboard with their behaviour.
Obsequious behaviours are generally seen as a form of deceit and
carry little weight—in fact, they can undermine your efforts to
create trust.

(M. Sphiropoulos)

I suppose if the job was for a drop-dead gorgeous femme fatale type
in a movie, then good looks would certainly help, but for most other
jobs the way you look is not as big a deal as many people make out.
As we’ve already discussed, there will always be an inexperienced
employer who will hire on the basis of superficial factors, but most
employers are smarter than that. The claim that good-looking people
get the job over plain-looking people makes one seriously flawed
assumption—that employers make a habit of putting someone’s
good looks before the interests of their livelihood. All my experience
has taught me the contrary. Most businesses find themselves in
highly competitive environments and employers are only too keenly
aware that a poor hiring decision can prove very costly.
This is not to say that appearance and a bright personality are
not important factors at an interview. It is very important that you
dress appropriately and try your best to demonstrate all your friendly
qualities. Good looks are certainly overrated in interviews, but an
appropriate appearance and a friendly personality are not.

Interviews are about making a positive impression by answering
questions intelligently and building rapport with the interviewer.
To this end, many interviewees feel that they have to provide the
perfect answer to every question put to them, irrespective of whether
or not they actually know the answer. Clearly, a great interview is
one in which you can answer all the questions (and you should be
4 interview skills that win the job
able to do so if you take the time to prepare correctly); however, if
you don’t know the answer to something, it is better to admit to it
rather than pretend to know and start waffling. Most interviewers
can pick waffling a mile away and they don’t like it for a couple of
very important reasons: first, it is likely to make you sound dishonest;
and second, it will make you sound considerably less than intelligent.
You may as well not attend the interview if you give the impression
that you’re neither honest nor bright.

Some interviewers are very good at what they do, especially fulltime
professionals (provided they’re not suffering from interview
fatigue). However, many managers and owners of small businesses
often flounder because interviewing is not something they do on a
regular basis. Some sure signs of a bad interviewer are:
• Their phone keeps ringing and they answer it. interview myths 3
• They sound like very sharp and less-than-honest salespeople
when it comes to selling the job.
• They do most of the talking.
• They seem to pluck their questions randomly out of the ether.

Some sure signs of a good interviewer are:
• They are genuinely interested in your accomplishments, skills
and the type of person you are.
• They want to know what you’ve done and how you’ve done it,
including specific examples.
• They have their questions carefully prepared in advance.
• They will try to make you feel at ease.
• They let you do most of the talking.
• They may want to interview you more than once.

Yes, interviews are a bit like exams in so far as that you’re asked a
number of questions to which you need to respond intelligently,
but there the similarities end. Unlike exams, where lots of accurate
detail is important, interviews are more about interacting and rapport
building whilst simultaneously articulating smart answers. And a
smart answer is often not the most detailed. In fact, long and overly
detailed answers can drive interviewers to distraction, despite their
technical accuracy. Knowing when to stop talking is a skill all
successful interviewees have.