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A common job interview mistake is arriving unprepared.
In today's competitive employment landscape, landing a job interview is only half the battle. During those crucial minutes, what happens can make or break your chances of securing the position. According to a survey by TopResume, an overwhelming 92% of employers and recruiters admit they would reject a candidate based on certain interview behaviors—even before the conversation begins.
As a job seeker, understanding what makes recruiters and hiring managers cringe could mean the difference between a job offer and a generic rejection email. Let's explore the seven most fatal job interview mistakes that consistently send employers running in the opposite direction.
1. Arriving Late Without a Valid Excuse
Nothing communicates disrespect and poor time management, like tardiness. In a LinkedIn survey of over 1,000 hiring managers, 53% identified showing up late as a significant deal-breaker in job interviews. Similarly, Ringover's research found that 35.8% of recruiters consider lateness the biggest "ick" in the interview process. The message tardiness sends is clear—this opportunity isn't a priority for you.
Do this instead
To avoid this perception, plan to arrive 15 minutes early—but not much earlier, as excessive earliness can also be awkward. If emergencies happen, proper communication is essential. Call ahead, explain the situation briefly, and offer to reschedule if necessary.
2. Being Visibly Unprepared
According to TopResume's survey, walking into a job interview without researching the company ranks as the third most serious offense. Additionally, over 30% of interviewers in Ringover's study identified this as an immediate red flag. According to Catherine Pylant, senior corporate recruiter at Wal-Mart, "One of the biggest red flags when candidates are interviewing is when they show up without a resume. It is near impossible to have a progressive conversation without being able to review their experience."
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