5 Mistakes Job Interviewers Secretly Hate

By Alan Carniol

Picture this: You’re a job candidate up for a role in a coveted organization. You’ve got the experience and referrals, and you’ve even managed to land an interview. So, come interview time, you’re pretty confident about your chances. Weeks later, you still haven't heard from the interviewer or the company. What gives?

Despite your interview skills or level of experience, many candidates find themselves in a job search black hole. Although it’s easy to blame interviewers — after all, they may receive more than 100 applications per opening — you may be inadvertently raising some red flags.

When this happens, it’s time to take action. To help, we've compiled a list of everything interviewers want to say to unprepared interviewees — and how to prevent them from thinking that about you.

1. “Why didn’t you come prepared?”

From failing to research the company to not being able to tell your interview story, inadequately preparing for a job interview is one of of the biggest mistakes possible. For instance, not being able to relay industry information or not referring to a recent organizational change may show the interviewer you’re not serious about the job — or that you weren't interested enough to do your homework.

Before the interview, research like crazy. Find out what’s new with the company, the interviewer and your industry. In addition, tailor your answers to your findings. For instance, if the company recently added a new department, say something like, “I saw that you added a new department, which shows your commitment to growth and sustainability — both of which I admire in a company.”

2. "I’ve heard this response a million times."

Some responses are generic for a reason; they've been used over and over to the point where an interviewer may be numb to them. For example, stating you’re a great candidate because of your stellar work ethic isn't new or unique. Your interviewer wants to be wowed — so responding with a run-of-the-mill quality like good work ethic may not bode well for you.

Show how your work led to accomplishments. If you created an advertisement that increased page views by 15%, make sure to say so. Results signify you achieve success, which is what most employers seek.

3. “These responses don’t reflect who you are online.”

Employers are looking for you online. In fact, 65% of employers check out your online presence to see if you present yourself professionally. Although posting those party photos or bashing your old employer may have seemed like a fun idea at the time, your interviewer may think otherwise. Who you are online may eventually represent your future employer — and if the lines don’t align, the interviewer may question your authenticity.

Clean up your online presence early. This means taking down any inappropriate content and enabling privacy settings. Next, start posting professional updates, such as industry news or your opinion on the company’s latest thread. This shows that your online and offline stories match.

Mistakes 4,5 and the complete Mashable article