Why Interview Mistakes Matter
Common interview mistakes cost qualified people their dream jobs. You might have the right skills, experience, and background. You prepared well and researched the company. But one small error can make employers choose someone else.
Interviews test more than your qualifications. They show employers how you present yourself, communicate, and handle pressure. One avoidable mistake can override everything on your resume.
The good news? Most interview mistakes are easy to prevent once you know what to watch for.
This guide covers the mistakes job seekers make most often so you learn what not to do and what to do instead.
Dressing Inappropriately
Your appearance creates the first impression. Interviewers notice what you wear before you say a word.
Dressing inappropriately signals that you don’t understand professional norms or that you’re not taking the interview seriously.
What counts as inappropriate?
- Clothes that are too casual (ripped jeans, T-shirts, flip-flops)
- Revealing clothing (low-cut tops, short skirts, see-through fabrics)
- Overpowering perfume or cologne
- Too many accessories (large jewelry, multiple bracelets)
- Messy or unkempt appearance (wrinkled clothes, uncombed hair)
What to do instead
Choose clothing that matches the company culture. For corporate or financial roles, dress in business formal attire. For creative or casual workplaces, business casual works.
When in doubt, dress slightly more formal than you think you need to. It’s better to be overdressed than underdressed.
Keep your hair neat and simple. Avoid strong fragrances. Make sure your clothes are clean and pressed.
If you’re training for business and office administration roles, you’ll learn professional standards that apply to interviews and workplace settings.
Bringing Food or Drinks
Walking into an interview with a coffee cup or water bottle looks unprofessional. It suggests you couldn’t plan ahead or that you’re treating the interview casually.
Why this is a problem
- It splits your attention between the conversation and your drink
- You might spill something
- It creates a distraction (fidgeting with the cup, sipping mid-question)
- It sends a message that you’re not fully focused
What to do instead
Finish your coffee or water before you enter the building. If you’re nervous and need hydration, drink something 10 minutes before the interview starts.
If the interviewer offers you water during the interview, it’s fine to accept. But don’t bring your own beverage.
Using Your Phone
Your phone should be silent and out of sight during an interview. Checking your phone shows disrespect and poor judgment.
Common phone mistakes
- Forgetting to silence your phone (it rings during the interview)
- Checking notifications or messages
- Answering a call
- Looking at your phone when there’s a pause in conversation
What to do instead
Turn your phone to silent mode before you enter the building. Better yet, turn it off completely.
Put it in your bag or pocket. Don’t leave it on the table where you can see it.
If your phone does ring by accident, apologize quickly, silence it, and move on. Don’t check who called.
Speaking Negatively About Past Employers
Complaining about previous bosses or coworkers makes you look unprofessional. It raises red flags for employers.
Why this hurts you
Interviewers assume you’ll speak the same way about their company if you leave. It shows poor judgment and inability to handle conflict maturely.
The professional world is smaller than you think. Your interviewer might know your former employer or coworkers.
What to do instead
Frame past challenges in neutral or positive terms. Focus on what you learned, not what went wrong.
Bad answer: “My last boss was terrible. He micromanaged everything and never listened to my ideas.”
Good answer: “My last role taught me the importance of clear communication. I learned to document my work and keep my manager updated on progress.”
If asked about conflicts or difficult coworkers, highlight your problem-solving skills. Show that you can handle disagreements professionally.
Need help preparing for interviews? Book a free consultation with Academy of Learning Career College to discuss career services and job readiness training.
Arriving Unprepared
Showing up without researching the company or role is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. It tells employers you’re not serious about the job.
Signs you’re unprepared
- You can’t answer “What do you know about our company?”
- You don’t understand what the role involves
- You ask questions that are answered on the company website
- You don’t have examples ready for common interview questions
What to do instead
Research the company before the interview. Read their website. Look at their social media. Understand their products, services, and values.
Review the job description carefully. Identify the key skills they need. Prepare examples from your experience that match those skills.
Practice answers to common questions like:
- “Tell me about yourself”
- “Why do you want this job?”
- “What are your strengths?”
- “Describe a challenge you faced and how you handled it”
Bring extra copies of your resume and a list of references. Have a pen and notebook ready.
Virtual Interview Setup Problems
Virtual interviews have their own set of challenges. Poor setup makes you look unprofessional even if you’re qualified for the job.
Common virtual interview mistakes
- Messy or distracting background
- Poor lighting (too dark or backlit)
- Bad camera angle (too close, too far, looking up your nose)
- Audio problems (echo, background noise, cutting out)
- Unstable internet connection
- Wearing inappropriate clothing off-camera
- Looking at yourself instead of the camera
- Checking your phone or email during the interview
What to do instead
Test your technology 24 hours before the interview. Check your camera, microphone, and internet connection. Download any required software ahead of time.
Choose a clean, neutral background. Remove clutter. Sit in front of a plain wall if possible. Use a virtual background only if it looks professional and doesn’t glitch.
Position your camera at eye level. Put your laptop on a stack of books if needed. The camera should face you straight on, not look up at you from below.
Find good lighting. Sit facing a window or use a lamp in front of you. Avoid sitting with a window behind you (this creates backlighting and makes your face dark).
Minimize background noise. Close windows. Turn off TVs. Tell people in your home that you’re in an interview. Use headphones if it helps reduce echo.
Look at the camera, not the screen. This creates eye contact with the interviewer. Put the video window as close to your camera as possible to make this easier.
Dress professionally from head to toe. Even though they might not see your full outfit, it helps you feel professional and prepared.
Close other programs and tabs. Turn off notifications. Put your phone on silent and out of reach.
Many computer skills training programs at Academy of Learning Career College include virtual communication skills that help you present professionally in remote work settings.
Not Asking Questions
Interviews are two-way conversations. When you don’t ask questions, you miss a chance to show interest and learn about the role.
Why this matters
Employers want to hire people who are genuinely interested in the job. Asking thoughtful questions proves you’ve thought about whether this role fits your goals.
Not asking questions suggests:
- You don’t care about the details
- You haven’t thought critically about the role
- You’re just applying to any job
What to do instead
Prepare 3-5 questions before the interview. Focus on:
- Day-to-day responsibilities
- Team structure and dynamics
- Training and professional development opportunities
- Success metrics for the role
- Company culture and values
Avoid asking about:
- Salary and benefits in the first interview (wait until they bring it up)
- Information easily found on the company website
- “Do I get the job?” or “When will I hear back?” (ask about timeline instead)
Good questions sound like:
- “What does success look like in this role during the first 90 days?”
- “Can you describe the team I’d be working with?”
- “What training or onboarding does your company provide?”
Poor Body Language
Your nonverbal communication says as much as your words. Slouching, avoiding eye contact, or fidgeting creates a negative impression.
Common body language mistakes
- Poor posture (slouching, leaning back)
- Weak handshake or no handshake
- Avoiding eye contact
- Crossing your arms
- Fidgeting (tapping pen, playing with hair)
- Looking at your watch or phone
What to do instead
Sit up straight with your shoulders back. Keep your hands visible on the table or in your lap.
Make eye contact when speaking and listening. If eye contact feels uncomfortable, look at the person’s eyebrows or nose bridge.
Smile naturally. Nod to show you’re listening.
Keep your hands still. If you tend to fidget, hold a pen or rest your hands on the table.
Give a firm handshake at the beginning and end of the interview.
Rambling or Giving Unfocused Answers
Long, unfocused answers lose the interviewer’s attention. They make you seem unprepared or unable to communicate clearly.
Why this happens
Nervousness makes people talk more than necessary. Without practice, answers become stories without clear points.
What to do instead
Use the STAR method to structure your answers:
- Situation: Set the context
- Task: Explain what needed to be done
- Action: Describe what you did
- Result: Share the outcome
Keep answers between 1-2 minutes. If you finish and the interviewer wants more details, they’ll ask follow-up questions.
Practice your answers out loud before the interview. Time yourself. Cut unnecessary details.
Pause before answering. Take a breath. Think about what you want to say. It’s okay to have a moment of silence.
Weak or No Follow-Up
The interview doesn’t end when you leave the building or close the video call. Following up shows professionalism and continued interest.
Why follow-up matters
A thank-you email reinforces your interest in the role. It gives you one more chance to make a positive impression.
Not following up suggests you’re not that interested or that you lack professional courtesy.
What to do instead
Send a thank-you email within 24 hours of the interview. Keep it short and specific.
Include:
- Thanks for their time
- A specific detail from the conversation that stood out to you
- Reiteration of your interest in the role
- Mention of a key skill or experience that makes you a strong fit
Example:
“Thank you for meeting with me yesterday to discuss the Administrative Assistant role. I enjoyed learning about your team’s approach to client communication and project management. My five years of experience with scheduling and client relations align well with what you’re looking for. I’m excited about the possibility of contributing to your team. Please let me know if you need any additional information.”
If you don’t hear back within the timeline they mentioned, it’s appropriate to send one polite follow-up email after that deadline passes.
Ready to improve your interview skills? Book a free consultation with Academy of Learning Career College to learn about career services and training programs that prepare you for job success.