Depending on whom you ask, you might get a list of at least 20 different things you should not do during an interview. Thinking through the plentiful advice such as “don’t talk too much” or “make sure you answer the question thoroughly, but don’t go over 30 seconds” is simply overwhelming. To this advice, I say, “Be yourself.”

        Managers that have interviewed before will know how to handle your personality and either encourage conversation if you are quiet or keep you on track if you ramble on too long.

        What I will tell you is that I consider there to be five “biggies” when it comes to the things you shouldn’t do during an interview. These include the following:

        1. Don’t be late — When you are late to a job interview, you are telling the hiring manager three different things about you. First, you do not respect her time. Second, you are not that concerned with getting the position. Third, you are possibly either disorganized or habitually late. Hiring managers use the interview process to “read” the candidate. Showing up late to that test run more than likely will have a halo effect — causing the interviewer to believe that if you are late to the interview, you will always be late to work, appointments, meetings, etc. It is wise, therefore, to leave at least half hour earlier than you normally would to make the drive to the interview location. It’s better to be there early, displaying eagerness, then arriving late and ruining your chances of proceeding in the process.

        2. Don’t forget the interviewer’s name — When you receive the call from an interested company that would like you to come in for an interview, pay attention to the person that is placing the call on its behalf. Once you have accepted, ask the caller if he is the one that you will be meeting with. If it is not, ask for the names of the interviewers and write them down. Reference the names before the interview and make sure that you are aware of how to pronounce them properly. If it is not known who you are going to be meeting with, rest assured that as soon as you arrive, introductions will be the first thing to take place. Listen carefully for the name and use it almost immediately afterward to reinforce it in your mind until you have a chance to write it down later. While this detail may seem minute in the big picture, interviewers often use it as a way to judge a candidate’s ability to handle information and process details. Additionally, you will need to have this information so you can address the post interview follow-up letter and e-mail.

        3. Don’t forget to do your homework — When a company asks you for an interview, they expect you to have done your homework before you applied for the position. If you were to show up for an interview without knowing at least the basics about the company, the department and the position itself, you will place both you and the interviewer in an awkward position. In addition to reading press releases, the company website and marketing materials, go back and read the job posting carefully to identify exactly what it is that the company expects you know about it and your position as well as how you feel you can add to the company within that role.

        4. Don’t turn a weakness into a strength — Many candidates feel that answering the question “Tell me about your greatest professional weakness” means saying something that is actually still positive. A good example would be, “I am such a workaholic, I have a hard time knowing when to turn the computer off and take a break.” Sounds like every employer’s dream, right? The truth is, hiring managers see right through that. Everyone has a weakness, and she wants to know if you recognize yours and are working through the issue. A good example of this is saying, “Interruptions tend to bother me when I am in the middle of a project, but I am working on taking more breaks for social interaction with the team so I am more approachable.”
       
5. Don’t talk bad about your former employer — No matter what the reason may be for leaving your former or current position for a new opportunity, do not ever bad-mouth a former employer, manager or team.

Orrick Nepomuceno, CPC, is a managing partner of KAON Consulting, an executive-recruitment firm, and author of “Hitchhiker In the Corner Office: Avoiding The Top-10 Potholes So Your Employees Don’t Hit The Road.” With nearly 20 years of experience in the restaurant, foodservice and hospitality industries, Orrick consults executives and companies in recruiting, hiring and retaining human capital for their organizations.

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