You made several mistakes that made you look unprepared for the interview. These included arriving late, dressing inappropriately, having your cell phone ring, seeming overly desperate for the job, being unable to answer basic questions about your qualifications, badmouthing previous employers, knowing little about the company's culture, talking too much or too little, inflating your skills, not paying attention, portraying weaknesses as strengths, and treating the interview like an interrogation rather than a conversation. To improve, you need to arrive on time, dress appropriately, silence your phone, remain calm and positive, research the company, answer questions confidently, and ask your own questions of the interviewer.

1. Undergrad
Success
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www.UndergradSuccess.com
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@UGSuccess
13
Interview
Mistakes
That
Make
You
Look
Dumb
Samuel
Hershberger
1. You’re late to the interview
“I couldn’t find the building.” “I got stuck in traffic.” Nobody cares. You were late. That’s it. Excuses are
unacceptable. Being late is inconsiderate and shows a lack of preparation. Not sure about the campus
layout? Go the day before. Worried about traffic? Leave early. Just be on time.
2. You dressed inappropriately
This can work both ways—dressed up too much and dressed down too much; both can be avoided. The
HR department is most often willing to communicate any employee dress codes, but if not, visit the
organization and watch employees come and go to see their choice of attire.
3. You leave your cell phone on
Don’t be this guy or girl. Sure, we live in a society known for our constant communication with the outside
world. But in your interview? Come on. A ringing cell phone is a sure fire way to look like a rookie.
4. You’re desperate—and they can tell
Honestly, this goes back to the fact you applied for 7 jobs within the same company. It translates in the
interview when the interviewer sees you’re overeager. It’s okay to be excited…just be conscious of your
emotions and focus on staying calm.
5. You can’t answer basic questions about your qualifications
Yes, this really happens. “What are your strengths?” “Why would you be a good fit in our company?”
“Why should we hire you?” This is your time to show off! You’re being interviewed for a reason. And that
reason is not for you to flub this answer.
6. You badmouth a previous employer
Please. Don’t. Do. This. It’s bad form. Stay positive. Negative attitudes attract no one. And today’s world
is smaller than ever. Be diplomatic in your responses to questions regarding prior employment, especially
in situations, which may have ended unfortunately. “I’m interested in starting a new chapter.” “I’m looking
for a different set of work challenges.” Keep it simple. Keep it positive.
7. You know nothing about the company’s culture
Maybe this was more acceptable before the Internet was at your disposal but not anymore. Sites like
Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and others will provide you more than enough opportunity to understand the
company’s culture and current problems they may be facing. Do your research. Don’t overlook this.
8. You talk too much
Nobody likes someone who rambles. Be short. Be concise.
9. You don’t talk enough
Listen, you can’t be a dead fish. You must communicate your value. This may be the only opportunity you
get to say what your resume can’t. Don’t let it pass.

2. Undergrad
Success
|
www.UndergradSuccess.com
|
fb.com/UGSuccess
|
@UGSuccess
10. You inflated your technical skills
Stop acting as though your ability to create a spreadsheet is something notable. Basic MS Office skills do
not belong on a resume nor are they a skill to be mentioning. If you’ve created extensive databases in MS
Access and written dozens of complex macros in Excel, then sure, put it on there. Otherwise, no.
Just…no.
11. You aren’t paying attention
It’s easy to get caught up and flustered in an interview. It’s even easier when you spaced out and missed
the question that was being asked. If something is unclear about a question you were asked, then ask the
interviewer. Be sure your answers are relevant by thinking—what a novel idea—before you speak.
12. You made a weakness a “strength”
If anybody ever tells you to turn weaknesses into strengths, stop listening to them right there. If he or she
is a close friend, smack them for good measure. (Kidding about the smacking…sort of.) Weaknesses are
not strengths. They never will be strengths. Don’t talk about them as such.
13. You confused the interview with an interrogation
Think of your interview as a lopsided discussion. It is true that for most of the interview, you’ll be doing the
talking. But this won’t be happening the whole time. There is a reason you’ll always be asked, “Do you
have any questions for me?” at the end—occasionally the beginning—of the interview. Take this
opportunity to learn about your employer. Engage them in a conversation and connect with them.