What Not To Do In An Interview

I've never really had an interview experience, other than on the phone that lasted all of 15 minutes. All I know is that I was extremely nervous and made sure beforehand that my phone was fully charged, there was no outside noise, and to make a point of speaking as clearly as possible.

When reading tips for interview techniques, usually they are how to make the best of an interview and techniques on what to do right. So I came upon 10 tips on what not to do on an interview, by Joe Turner and I thought it was appropriate to clue people in on what to avoid when in on a job interview.

Turner compares a job interview to a date. He says, "When you're on a romantic dinner date, you try to avoid 'mood killers' - talking with a mouth full of food, cursing an ex-lover, or complaining about a foot ailment. During a job interview, you have to avoid similar spoilers if you want to make a good impression."

Here are Turner's "most common 'advantage killers:'"

1. Not Knowing Your Aim: Many people think that what they need to do in a job interview is to ask for a job. That seems obvious...But what you're really there is to explain to your possible future employer how fit you are for the specific job.

2. Being Too Needy: "Neediness is probably the No. 1 advantage-killer in an interview. Remind yourself before walking in the door: you do not need this job. You do need food, you do need air, and you do need water. Keep things in perspective."

3. Lousy Nonverbal Communication: First impressions are very important and you need to demonstrate that you have confidence. When walking into the interview, you need to make direct eye contact, stand up tall, and give a strong handshake.

4. Compromising Your Position: Always conduct yourself as an equal during the interview, not a subordinate to your interviewer.

5. Falling Into the Answers-Only Rut: An interview isn't just about you answering the questions that they ask. You should treat it as a conversation between the two of you. It is helpful to prepare what Turner calls "prepared stories" when highlighting your accomplishments and to also have a follow-up question of your own after answering their questions.

6. Rambling: "Telling your interviewer more than they need to know could be fatal. Your stories should be 60 to 90 seconds long and they should have a relevant point." Don't utilize unnecessary talk with silences. Your prepared stories and research should be your main focus when answering questions.

7. Being Overly Familiar: Just because an interviewer will make you feel comfortable after a little while doesn't mean that they have become your new best friend. You should keep treating it as a professional business meeting, with never letting your guard down.

8. Making Incorrect Assumptions: You know what they say when you assume something...Always make sure you are understanding what the interviewer is asking you or talking about, there are no stupid questions. Always ask for clarification if you don't understand something and make sure to take notes on what you're being told.

9. Getting Emotional: "At times the interviewer may hit a nerve or consciously try to provoke you into an "outburst." Don't fall for it. Clear your mind of any fears or expectations, so you can maintain a calm, open-minded perspective at all times. When emotions enter into an interview, failure follows."

10. Not Asking Specific Questions: It is always a good idea to go to the interview with a list of prepared questions having to do with the company, the position you are applying for, and the other employees that work there. Avoid questions that will just have a yes or no answer, but rather ask questions that begin with "what," "how," and "why."

If you'd like to read more in depth answers to Joe Turner's Interview techniques, visit: The 10 Biggest Interview Killers

Good Luck!