There are 10 mistakes that virtually everyone makes during an interview. Make them and you'll lose more job opportunities than you can afford to lose. Apply these quick fixes and watch the offers come pouring in!

1) Mistake: Mumbling or talking too fast.

Quick Fix: Nerves do different things to different people. Breathe before answering any question and look them in the eye. Focus on being clear and being heard. This is one area that benefits from practice.

2) Mistake: You complain about your old boss during your interview.

Quick Fix: Show a positive attitude and highlight what you learned from each experience. If they want to contact a former employer with whom things ended badly be honest but be brief. A simple statement that you left because of a difference of opinion gives them enough information to understand and speaks volumes about your character.

3) Mistake: Using “like,” “um” and “uh” during the interview

Quick Fix: Listen to expert speakers and you’ll notice that they will pause before using a filler word. An extra second of silence is better than “like” or “um” any day. Practice speaking into a camera or microphone so you can hear your mistakes. Then learn don’t repeat them.

4) Mistake: You are too intense and serious.

Quick Fix: Breathe and smile. Practice smiling when you talk. It takes the seriousness and intensity out of your interview and makes you more attractive. Now I’m not saying that you paste a smile on your face that looks pained and unnatural. What I am saying is that you want to project relaxed confidence and comfort and you want the interviewer to keep a positive impression of your time together.

5) Mistake: Rambling on and on … talking too much.

Quick Fix: Pretend you’re being interviewed for radio or television. Speak in 7-12 second sound bites that the interviewer can connect to. You’ll get more chances to speak if you are concise. Remember, practice makes you better (perfection is a myth and a problematic one at that).

6) Mistake: Too many details.

Quick Fix: This is also called TMI (too much information). The interviewer wants to know you but they want to know you in the context of how you will help their business. Don’t tell the about your uncle’s cousin’s
brother’s wife who shot a local sheriff during an accidental hunting accident. Share stories that illustrate your value to the company. Be clear and be concise. Personal information helps them connect to you. Getting too personal too fast makes everyone uncomfortable.

Examples:
TMI: “My father was sick. My brother is a bum and didn’t help. My mom was too busy with her own life. My husband was mad but I didn’t care. I stopped working and spent three months caring for him. I drove him to every doctor visit …”

Just Enough: “I took a 3 month hiatus from working while my father was ill. This allowed me to focus on helping him while not being a burden to my employer. I’ve settled the details and am ready to re-enter the workforce.”


TMI: “I was in a bad relationship. He was very controlling. Then I found out he had a girlfriend. He got three DUIs and I gave him chance after chance. We saw a counselor, …”

Just Enough: “I needed some time to manage some personal issues between my previous two jobs. I went back to work once I had those resolved.”


-“I entered the military because I believed I would learn a lot. It’s equipped me to manage tough tasks without flinching.”

7) Mistake: Not listening to the interviewer during your interview.

Quick Fix: You practiced your answers and you’ve got them down. But don’t be so focused on telling your story that you miss answering their question. Prospective supervisors want to know that you can follow directions. That requires basic listening. Evidence of your ability to do that comes during the interview.

8) Mistake: Looking at the wall, rather than at the interviewer.

Quick Fix: Always look at the interviewer. Be focused on answering them.

9) Mistake: Wearing the wrong clothes, accessories etc.

Quick Fix: The general rule of thumb is to wear whatever makes you feel comfortable. While darker colors work well with conservative organizations, the color is less important than the “noise level” of your outfit. Find your color and style that’s comfortable to you. What to stay away from? Dangling earrings, big jewelry, loud makeup and impractical shoes.

10) Mistake: Not sending a thank you note with a goody after the interview.

Quick Fix: ALWAYS send a thank you note to the interviewer. Always. Depending on the level of the job you may want to include a treat or trinket that will help them to remember you.