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You're probably reading this because you've faced rejection in job interviews and can't identify why. Don't worry, you're not alone.
Landing an interview is already a big achievement. You've passed one of the toughest hurdles, with many resumes filtered out by applicant tracking systems (ATS). So, give yourself some credit.
If you're wondering why you didn't pass the interview stage, let's investigate the possible reasons.
I've been in your shoes. I'm in my 40s now, but right after graduation, I went through the same struggles. I've held full-time and remote roles—from sales and IT to HR management and graphic design. Job hunting was never a bed of roses, but I learned a lot.
There were many things I wish I had known in my 20s, but those challenges taught me valuable lessons.
As an HR manager in 2023, I conducted a simple activity where our employees shared their mistakes in past interviews. With over 300 employees participating, it was eye-opening to see that 95% made the same errors.
We used this feedback to improve our interviewing process, and now, in this article, I'm sharing:
- The 11 most common interview mistakes that often lead to rejection,
- The real-life examples of each mistake,
- key answers you should know before your interview.
What Are The Common Mistakes You Make In Your Interview?
1: Wrong Attitude And Poor Body Language
The biggest mistakes candidates make are coming across as arrogant, overconfident, or having poor body language. Confidence is key, but overconfidence can cost you the job.
Your body language says a lot about you. If you're fidgeting, twirling your hair, or clicking a pen out of nervousness, it can make you seem unprofessional and distract the interviewer.
It's okay to feel nervous; interviews can be stressful. If the interviewer asks if you're nervous, it's fine to admit it—they've been there too.
Your attitude and body language should be positive. Make eye contact and use gestures like moving hands and finger postures while talking to them; it shows confidence and helps you stay focused. Most importantly, be friendly. They're not just looking for someone with the right skills—they want someone who fits well with the team. No one wants a toxic coworker.
Example:
A former coworker once shared a story about being rejected from a job interview two years ago. He went through 03 interview rounds. In 1st round, he felt discouraged, thinking the other candidates were more qualified.
Out of 100 applicants, only 60 made it to the 2nd round, and he was surprised to find himself among them. Getting selected gave him hope, but it also made him more anxious, believing the next round would be even tougher and he would probably not get the role.
When 15 out of those 60 were selected for the 3rd and final round, he felt confident — maybe too confident. He was sure he'd get the job, and this overconfidence turned into arrogance during the interview. In the end, he didn't get hired.
The feedback he received was clear: his attitude had shifted from being prepared and humble to being overconfident, which cost him the opportunity he had worked so hard for.
2: Not Describing Your Skills According To Your Resume
Many other candidates might have the same skills as you, but understanding the skills in your resume is not what will get you the job. Every person's personality is different, yet their way of conveying the answers to the interviewer is different.
You must know how to convey your skills effectively to the interviewer so they are convinced that the skills written in the resume are accurate and that you can bring value to their job.
Most importantly, read your resume thrice before you go for the interview. If the interviewer asks something from your resume, you should sound confident while answering them with proof that your skill made you achieve a certain target in your previous job.
Even if you are a freshie, skills like discipline and self-restraint can be proved if you tell them something you have done, like setting a goal to earn £10,000 in a year and achieving it.
Example:
Imagine applying for a "marketing job," and your resume highlights your "social media skills." If asked how you've used them, don't repeat what's mentioned on your resume.
Instead, say, "In my last job, I created a strategy that boosted our social media engagement by 40% and increased website traffic by 25% in six months."
It is much better to write the same detailed skills as your achievements in the resume and then describe them in depth if the interviewer questions them.
Describing your skills shows you understand them and can apply them effectively. Even if you're new, share examples from personal projects to prove you can use your skills to achieve results.
3: Too Honest Answers In An Interview
Being honest is important, but too much honesty can cost you a job. Sometimes, a little white lie is better than sharing something that might leave a bad impression.
Example no.1:
INTERVIEWER: "Your resume is impressive, but I noticed a gap of six months between your last two jobs. Can you explain why?"
CANDIDATE: "I was taking some time off to figure out my next career move."
INTERVIEWER: "That's understandable. What were you doing during that time?"
CANDIDATE: "Honestly, I was pretty burned out and spent most of that time just relaxing and playing video games."
INTERVIEWER: "Did you engage in professional development or freelance work?"
CANDIDATE: "Not really. I just needed a break, so I didn't do anything career-related."
INTERVIEWER: "I see. I appreciate your honesty. We'll be in touch."
Result: Rejected.
Instead, you could say you were applying for jobs, updating your skills, or taking online courses. Mentioning that you worked on freelance projects or learned valuable tools like Excel and Tableau would make you seem more proactive.
Example no.2:
HR: Everything's great; just one last question: why did you score low in your 1st semester?
APPLIER: I was not feeling well then, but I still tried my best to score well.
HR: Oh, can I ask what happened?
APPLIER: I had low hemoglobin and was very weak. Also, it led me to depression, and I was on total bed rest.
HR: I'm sorry to hear about that, but what led to it?
APPLIER: There was a death in my family, and I was under too much emotional stress; it took me a while to get out of it.
HR: Okay, sorry for your loss. We are done now; thanks for your time.
Result: Rejected!
Reason: The candidate is incapable of coping with stress and, in that case, unsuitable for the job.
Sharing personal or emotional information can give the impression that you can't handle the hard things in your career life. Most companies don't prefer hiring weak or sensitive clients who can sacrifice their work chores.
However, it is best to review your resume at least one day before the interview to see if anything can be asked of you. Prepare the possible questions and answers before your interview.
4: Not Thinking Before Answering A Question
There's a well-known saying, "Think Twice, Speak Once." This advice is especially important during a job interview. Responding too quickly can make you seem unprepared and hurt your chances of getting hired.
Many candidates make mistakes of answering too quickly out of nervousness or excitement, which often leads to giving the wrong answer. Taking a moment to think before you speak can make all the difference.
Example:
- HR: What three skills should you work on and improve? (another way of asking your weakness.)
Candidate: I should work on my patience. (the job was to work with Down Syndrome kids.)
Not team building, not punctuality, or communication skills; Patience. Result? Gets rejected.
- My cousin is interviewing at a bank.
Panel: Why should we hire you?
Applicant: Because I won't steal your money.
Good humor is fine but at the bank? About the money? A big NO. Gets rejected.
- Character test in a job interview.
Interviewer: how much time do you take to make friends?
Candidate: I'm an introvert and mostly keep to myself.
Not Hired.
This question wasn't about your social personality; it was about how you can build trust with others and work in a team.
Once, Oliver Napoleon Hill, an American self-help author famous for his books on achieving "success," stated,
“Think twice before you speak because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another.”
Next time you interview, keep this statement in mind; hopefully, it will help you get the job next time.
5: No Presence Of Mind
Thinking before you speak is important, especially when recruiters ask tough questions. Instead of giving a rushed answer, take your time to respond thoughtfully. A well-considered reply shows your presence of mind, that you're smart and in control, and that interviewers will respect that.
Example:
- Interviewer: "Do you have any questions?"
(Instead of going blank, ask a question.)
Applier: "What three things should the company improve and work on?
- HR: "Why should we hire you?"
(Question them in return.)
Candidate: "You tell me, why wouldn't you hire me as I am fit for the role? My CV is fine; the interview was smooth, so why would you reject me if you were thinking this way? Please let me know so that I can improve that thing."
6: Confusions In Phone Interviews
If you're job hunting and applying to multiple positions, you're likely expecting calls from recruiters. To avoid confusion, it's a good idea to save their numbers with the company's name if possible. If not, ask who you're speaking with before entering the conversation.
Example:
A former colleague once scheduled three phone interviews while still working his current job. He got so busy that he forgot to note the company details. When one of the recruiters called, he started talking about a different company.
The recruiter paused and asked if he knew who he was speaking with. He didn't, so he lost that job opportunity and wasted the interviewer's time.
It often happens in phone interviews. It's better to agree to a video interview instead. If you have a phone interview, keep a list of the companies you've applied to with brief notes about each. This simple step can prevent mix-ups and help you avoid losing a job opportunity.
7: No Homework About The Company
One of the biggest red flags in a job interview is not doing your homework about the company. Candidates should explore the company's website and social media accounts, gathering as much information as possible.
Knowing key details like what the company does, how it operates, its background, and its products will impress interviewers. It shows that you're genuinely interested in the role and eager to learn about the company.
Example:
My former employer received a job offer from Moog Inc. and was set for an interview. Everything went smoothly during the interview, including his education and occupational life, until they asked him a question.
Question: What do you know about our company?
Answer: I know about Moog Music; you work with electronic musical instruments.
They passed him a disappointed look and said thank you for your time.
(They were Moog Inc. and have nothing to do with Moog music synthesizers. They make hardware and software solutions for motion controls for planes, rockets, etc.)
8: Disrespecting And Badmouthing Your Ex-Company
Never disrespect or speak negatively about your previous company, regardless of how toxic or harmful the environment was or what wrongs they may have done to you. Speaking ill of a former employer can harm your chances with a future company. Both companies may know each other, friends, or family, and it won't give a good image of you.
In any case, don't express that you want to escape that company because it's bad. You can mention other reasons, such as not being a good fit, not enjoying the culture, seeking new challenges, wanting to polish more skills, having a low salary, having a convincing issue, etc.
They may worry that you'll badmouth them similarly when you move on, which can weaken their trust in you. Additionally, criticizing your previous employer could raise concerns about your honesty and integrity.
Example:
Another ex-employee said he worked for a very small company, and their pay was less than expected. But he was enjoying the environment; his boss was very polite. But then he got retired, and a new boss came and became aggressive after a few times.
He started looking for a new job and got an interview. When they asked him why he had left his current company, he told them they were abusive and that the boss was rude. He didn't get the job.
Taking a lesson, he applied for another company and did not bad mouth his boss; he politely said half-truths about the company's small size and wanted to achieve bigger tasks. Also, the pay was lower, and he wanted to earn more than that. He even said good things about his boss; voila, he got the job.
9: Not Having A Nice Sense Of Humor
A good sense of humor can help you land a job, while a bad one can cost you. Making interviewers laugh can highlight your personality beyond your resume. Companies value pleasant and easy-going candidates, not just those with strong qualifications.
Most companies (except some) prefer friendly and flexible employees because stiff and boring employees can lose interest in work. However, a positive, humorous attitude can boost job satisfaction and refresh the workplace atmosphere.
Example:
An ex-colleague who is still a friend of mine and is very funny got into our company because of her humor.
Apart from his CV and nice personality, he got into the company by answering a question;
Interviewer: Everything's fine; last question: what is your biggest weakness?
My funny ex-colleague: Bullets (without even hesitation.)
The funny part was that the interviewers didn't get the joke at first, so they gave him time to rethink the answer. Little did they know this was the answer.
He left, and when they went through his CV and interview notes again, they understood the joke that being shot by a bullet was his weakness, and so was everyone else; all of the panel laughed.
They hired him the same day.
10: Salary Negotiation
Salary negotiation can make or break your chances of getting hired. When asked about your salary expectations, avoid asking for too much, as it could sacrifice you the job. On the flip side, don't underestimate yourself. Aim for a salary higher than your previous job but within the expectations.
Be flexible in your negotiations. Ask what they're offering and then negotiate towards your desired salary. This approach keeps both parties happy and leaves room for future raises based on performance. Avoid sounding desperate or rigid, as it can signal a lack of willingness to negotiate.
Example:
In a past job interview, I aimed for £5,000 monthly but first asked what they offered. They said £4,000, so I suggested £5,500 but agreed to meet in the middle at £4,750. It was a win-win, considering my previous salary was £2,000.
11: Don't Lie On Your CV / Interview
Don't lie on your CV. Being honest can prevent awkward situations during interviews. A minor lie or exaggeration might seem harmless, but lying about your qualifications, grades, positions, skills, or experience is risky. You can get caught and lose the job.
Example:
An employee at my former company lied about having a first-division degree when he had a 2:1. Years later, the company found out and fired him. He found a new job soon after, but this time, he was honest about his 2:1 degree and got hired based on his experience.
Is Following Up In An Interview Important?
Follow-ups are crucial to showing interest in the job and measuring your standing after an interview. Simple gestures like sending a thank you email or a note of appreciation can make a positive impression.
Greeting the interviewer with a handshake at the beginning and end of the interview is also a small but appreciated gesture.
Which is Good? Long Interviews Or Short?
Long interviews are thorough and can gather detailed information about a candidate. The length often depends on the type of interview. For phone or screening interviews, 30 minutes or less is common, while in-depth, in-person interviews usually last 30 to 90 minutes.
Don't worry if your interview is short; it doesn't necessarily mean it went poorly. Sometimes, the panel has a tight schedule and quickly gathers key details, even in under 30 minutes.
See how your CV stacks up.
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