A first impression is so important, especially when trying to land a job but there are plenty of things job seekers do that can really grind the gears of HR managers.
To come up with a list of avoidable mistakes job seekers should know, Business Insider analyzed Reddit user okmann98‘s post, Employers of Reddit, what is a prejudice you hold against the people you interview?” To ensure you don’t miss an opportunity, avoid these mistakes that could essentially cost you the job.
Guilt Tripping: This is never a good idea when you’re interviewing. “Telling me about how badly you need this job because of all the problems you have will get your application thrown in the trash,” says Reddit user pinkiepieisbestpony. Hiring managers don’t want to hear sob stories or feel guilt tripped into offering a candidate a job. In reality this just makes it awkward for both parties and the interviewers are more inclined to toss the resume.
No Work Experience for late graduates: This should be a no brainer, but if you’re an “older” graduate with no real job experience, employers are going to look the other way. Add some internships and other notable employment experiences to your resume.
Getting the parents involved: With numbers of parents reaching out to potential employers increasing, user
ScarinasVault says it’s not a smart move. “If you can’t bother to show up to ask then we can’t be bothered to take you seriously.” While these inquiries come from a good place, the job seeker needs to be independent from parents.
Exaggerating, lying, or adding made up credentials: This is never a good idea, but there was more than one user that said this is one of candidates biggest mistakes. It’s not necessary to be 100% truthful, but user Koeikan also says it’s not a good idea to stray from the truth because “anyone with seniority in your industry will smell through that within the first 90 seconds of the interview.”
Bashing employers: Being professional is the best way to be and talking poorly about others is a huge red flag. This ultimately shows that this candidate can struggle with working well with others. Some people won’t hire candidates who talk negatively about past employers so even if it was s tough working environment keep a positive mind and avoid bashing.
Phone etiquette: First and foremost, turn off your phone. Unless its a life or death emergency that you are aware of, turn off the phone. If for any reason you can’t, like your wife is close to her due date, let the employer know ahead of time so they are aware of the interruption if it occurs. Keep the ring tone generic so it’s less distracting.
But first let me take a selfie: Just say no to taking selfies while waiting for your interview. If you arrive early for an interview, prepare and stay away from Snapchat, Instagram, or any selfie enticing apps. This is unprofessional and will be noticed.
Stay off the phone: Playing on your phone before an interview isn’t the best first impression. Look over your resume, prepare quietly, and be observant of the office atmosphere.
Social media manners: If employers can find you on social media and you have inappropriate postings, kiss your job offer good bye. If you’re aware of your postings and keep a pretty upbeat profile, it’s still a good idea to make them private.
Appearance: From body odor to inappropriate dressing, job seekers needs to steer clear of appearance mishaps. To ensure you give off a professional appearance prepare in advance and don’t over do the perfume. Reddit user Marginbuilder isn’t a fan of people who dress inappropriately. He believes, “if you can’t dress appropriately for an interview then you can’t dress appropriately for work.”
Resume Errors: This is one of those tips that’s said over and over again. If you can’t spend the time to proofread, hiring managers won’t take the time to call you. Ensure you resume is clear and error free.
Showing up late: Being late never makes a good first impression. Add extra time to your commute so you get there early and are prepared for the interview time comes.
There are so many little quirks and mistakes that can sway hiring managers one way or another. Be aware of your actions and make sure you keep these avoidable mistakes in mind when interviewing.
