6 Fatal Interview Errors To Avoid

2013 is set to be another exciting year for job seekers in Dubai. As we have reported recently on dubaiemployments.com, the Dubai economy is booming and is set to grow at a faster rate than most of the world’s developed economies.

As well as this we are seeing increases in demand for staff in many areas of the Dubai economy, particularly the Finance and Accounting sector, which is predicted to have a boom in demand for talent this year. So, this means that 2013 isa  great year for Dubai professionals or even international candidates to find a new job in Dubai.

But, if you want to find a new job, you need to interview well and impress your potential future boss. You should always be looking to improve your interview technique, especially if you haven’t interviewed for a year or two, as it is likely you’ll need to sharpen up your act because you will undoubtedly be ring rusty.

And to help you to do this, I present to you the findings of a recent CareerBuilder press release which outlined 6 fatal interview mistakes that interviewees make and which prevent them from getting the job. CareerBuilder  have also outlined what you can do to avoid making these mistakes. The study took into the account the views of 3,900 workers and 2,600 hiring managers during November 2012.

6 Fatal Interview Errors To Avoid 

Mistake 1: Appearing disinterested is the No. 1 turnoff, according to 62 percentof employers.

Tip: A lack of enthusiasm can leave the employer feeling less than enthusiastic about you as a candidate. Maintain good energy throughout the interview. Make sure to ask thoughtful questions about the company’s competitive positioning and growth prospects, and come in with ideas.

Mistake 2: Answering a cell phone or texting – 60 percent

Tip: Make sure to turn your phone or tablet off, or better yet, leave them at home. This is a major pet peeve for employers and can often be a deal breaker.

Mistake 3: Dressing inappropriately – 60 percent

Tip: It’s better to err on the conservative. Wear a business suit or business casual (ie, a nice pair of pants/skirt and button down shirt).

Mistake 4: Talking negatively about a current or previous employer – 58 percent

Tip: This is a good way to be labeled as a troublemaker. Even if you are completely justified in your assessment of a past employer, don’t badmouth him/her. Focus on what you learned from that company and how it’s relevant to the job at hand.

Mistake 5: Failure to make eye contact (72 percent) or smile (42 percent), bad posture (38 percent) and a weak handshake (28 percent)

Tip: Body language speaks volumes. Chin up, back straight, big smile, firm but not too firm handshake and look straight at the interviewer.

Mistake 6: Not providing specific examples – 34 percent

Tip: Vague responses can sometimes imply a lack of knowledge or experience. Come quipped with specific examples of how you contributed to the success of other organizations, quantifying results whenever possible.

Good luck with your interviews in 2013