First impressions count more than ever during the interview process. The majority of the time employers make up their minds about a candidate soon after meeting them and sometimes before the interview has even started. So it is important to know what not to do so you can prevent making any mistakes that could ruin your chances before you even answer any questions. So here are some common mistakes you need to definitely avoid:

Arriving late - You must ensure you arrive at least 10 minutes early. Plan your journey the day before and leave plenty of time to get to your interview and allow time for any delays. If you do find yourself stuck in an unavoidable situation such as train delays, always make sure you have the employers contact details so you can inform them immediately.

Dressing Inappropriately – Phone the company beforehand and ask about the dress code and dress accordingly. For example retail jobs such as a clothing outlet will require you to look stylish and trendy. Even if they dress casually in the workplace, always dress smart/casual as it is better to overdress than under dress. Ladies you will need to dress conservatively so nothing too short, tight or anything that shows too much cleavage.

Seeming disinterested – Do not turn up unprepared as they will assume you don’t want the job. Make sure you do your homework and learn as much as you can about the company and the job you are applying for. Read through your CV to refresh your memory as you will be asked questions about it and have some examples of past experiences and skills relevant to the job.

Bad mouthing past employers – The worst thing you can do is to say negative things about your previous employers or employees. Even if you have nothing nice to say, always put a positive spin on it. The interviewer will not want to hire someone that holds any bitterness towards previous employers.

Answering your phone – Turn your phone off or leave it at home. Answering a phone call in the middle of an interview is rude and unacceptable.

Making Jokes – Humour can be a good way to lighten up the mood however if you make the wrong jokes you can run the risk of offending the employer. At an interview you want to show that you are professional and are serious about the job so it’s best to stay clear of making any jokes.

Following up – After the interview, always remember to send a thank you note or email to everyone who interviewed you within 24 hours. You must then follow up with a phone call or email after 5 days to ask about the position and let them know you’re still interested.