You are ready for an interview. You have a copy of your CV, practised the questions and know precisely how to answer them. Great! You are doing everything right, but not so fast.

There are numerous things that you should not do.

The absolute worst move? Pushing away the boss who could be calling the shots on your future.

18 Things Not to Do at Your Job Interview

1. Be late.
2. Talk negatively about your current employer.
3. Ask about salary too early.
4. Be arrogant or boastful.
5. Show up without knowing anything relating to the organisation.
6. Eat onions, garlic or fragrant foods before.
7. Wear inappropriate clothing.
8. Be vague about what you are after in the next position.
9. Talk too much.
10. Use slang or curse words.
11. Lie or twist the truth.
12. Chew gum and mints.
13. Fidget and act nervous.
14. Be overconfident or exaggerate your abilities.
15. Be overly casual or too formal.
16. Drill your answers until they stick like a parrot’s favourite phrase.
17. Act as if you are the interviewer.
18. Leave without asking for the position.

The job hunt can freak you out no doubt but remember it is a two-way street – not just you on the hot seat. That means both parties (the organisation and the candidate) have a stake in making sure it goes well, and at the end, both parties want to guarantee they get what they want.

Employers are mostly searching for talent, fired up about the job. Also, candidates want to work for companies where they will be happy, learn new skills, and be successful.

There are “do nots” that can limit your chances of achieving that next position. Sometimes in the workplace, etiquette fails us and we enter uncharted territory. Rather, play it safe and avoid grey and controversial areas.

Being late is a big no-no!

If you are running late, you might not be offered the role.

Latecomers do not take time seriously. Their responsibility is seriously lacking and they are viewed as incompetent, and bad at time management.

This might cost you a better career and a higher salary.

When it comes to job hunting, the first challenge is being invited. The second one is to be on time. Being late is a massive faux pas.

Leave yourself enough time in case you hit traffic or have difficulties finding the location.

When meeting with potential employers, arrive at the venue fifteen minutes before the appointment. This gives you some extra time to focus before your interviewer walks into the room.

Take a deep breath and collect your thoughts.

Very few decision-makers enjoy hearing a candidate speak badly of any former or current employer.

Do not think it is acceptable to badmouth. If you did not enjoy your former employment experience, explain why without attacking the company and the employees.

Avoid mentioning conflicts you had with co-workers and/or boss. Why be negative?

Do not let your next boss see you trash-talking your old company while you are hustling to level up and boost your paycheck.

Do not stumble over the easy trap: “What did you like least about your last job?”

You can speak to the positives but preferably avoid any negatives.

Many experts agree that asking anything regarding salary prematurely can have a detrimental effect on the outcome of the hiring process.

The trick of raising remuneration issues might spare you from a miserable experience and being disappointed when they reject your expectations.

Many candidates fail by asking too directly or too soon about salary and benefits.

If you pitch too early, it can hurt your chances of being recruited. Or you could put yourself in a negotiation position with your future employer before they are even close to making an offer.

Do not raise the prospects of your income/benefits right away.

You will get a cookie-cutter answer like “That depends on your experience” or “I am not allowed to discuss that yet.”

Wait until the end. First impressions matter and must be established.

There is an exception though. You have a pre-existing relationship with the interviewer, such as a contact from your network, who will know your compensation expectations and help you negotiate to meet them.

This can be useful in negotiating against an internal candidate.

Why Bringing Up Salary and Perks Too Early Could Cost You Big:

• They might think that money is your only driving force. The organisation wants to recruit talent who are truly interested in the work.
• Organisational representatives might switch off because it is more than they were planning on giving you.
• Your expectations might be too low and they can think you are a “cheap bargain” or “too cheap”.
• If prospective employers have done their homework, they will know whether you are worth an offer. They will bring up the remuneration.

There is no reason why you would not ultimately receive a competitive offer when all is said and done (if you are a solid match in their view).

You do not have to know what everyone else is making for your base salary to be competitive.

Most large companies have strict compensation policies so all employees are paid fairly to retain and attract top talent.

Alright, you have landed an invitation. You feel tops. Do not let that intoxicating feeling go to your head and make you arrogant or boastful.

Everyone has unique competencies and talents to promote. The organisation might see you as a prospective future employee, even if they do not make it obvious. If you rub them the wrong way, they might decide not to recruit you.

For some reason, those who are insecure sometimes think being arrogant will make them seem more confident and powerful. This could not be further from the truth. When an organisation reads self-importance on your CV or in the discussion, you can bet it will count against you.

There is a fine line between self-confidence and pretentiousness.

Why You Might Scare an Interviewer Away:

• Bragging would not align you with any company’s team-oriented culture. It smells of entitlement and to be rewarded for simply showing up. Companies are looking for employees who will work hard and earn their place at the table.
• Arrogance suggests you are not open to constructive feedback.
• You come across as all-knowing and not teachable.
• Companies are not eager to snap up talent who think they are the best thing since sliced bread. This kind of narcissism is unbearable.

When job hunting, remember one thing: do not go without conducting your research into the business.

Unfortunately, the majority of candidates do not follow this golden rule.

Show up knowing more than your average competitors.

As a job seeker, you have plenty of moves to build rapport with the decision-maker and show you are the top pick. But ignorance is your worst enemy. Do not let it trip you up.

Do not waltz into the room as if you are paying them a friendly visit.

What You Need to Know Before You Walk In:

• The organisation’s mission/vision statement: Why were they founded? What are they trying to accomplish?
• Organisational values: How do they communicate their culture and make decisions? What are they searching for in new hires? (Hint: This can often be found in their job descriptions).
• News articles concerning the company/industry.
• Their competitors’ names and some basic info regarding their operations.

Do your homework and show up prepared.

Garlic, onions and other foods release chemicals that smell bad.

A pungent smell can be absorbed into your sweat glands and might even cling to your clothes and/or hair.

Do not kill your chances of success by wearing inappropriate clothing. You would be surprised how many present themselves sloppy.

Showing up in attire without a professional appearance looks unsuitable – no pun intended.

It is inappropriate to wear revealing clothing.

Sit down, buckle up and focus on your fashion before the appointment.

Vagueness and ambiguity are two issues that are poison to your job search. Many job seekers do not know what they want.

Unfortunately, vagueness will not earn you any credit with a potential employer.

Zero in on the key goals of the role and company. Make yourself unforgettable.

When you are talking with the decision-maker, they are looking for signs you are in it for the long haul.

Employers often ask what matters most to you. These questions might sound soft, but they are a smart way to uncover where you want to be and what winning looks like in your eyes.

A candidate’s answer to “Why are you seeking this position?” can break or make the entire process.

It only takes a vague response to send the decision-maker into doubt.

They will fire off a barrage of questions. Are you tempted to ramble on about yourself? Big mistake.

If your words race ahead of your thoughts, you will stumble.

Keep it sharp and clear. Show why you are the perfect fit. Confidently communicate your skills, experience, and personality.

Practice your elevator pitch until it is tight.

Talking too much is a trap many fall into without noticing. It can make you look clueless or desperate.

Skip the job-related babble. Stick to the point, answer the questions, and keep the conversation flowing smoothly and strongly.

The interviewer is not called “Dude”!

You want to be taken seriously and it is consequential not to include slang and/or curse words in the discussion. They are out-of-bounds and rude.

Be articulate and classy, so think before speaking.

Recruiters are digging to find the real you and if you fit the role. Don’t stretch the truth.

Who would want to appoint a liar? Honesty is a trait all employers value.

Integrity is something that employers deliberately search for in a candidate. Lying or purposefully misleading them (or not giving direct answers to questions) will easily turn you from “suspect” to “not hired“.

It is a fateful assumption to believe you will get away with “little white lies”.

Lying is reckless, and it is baffling to think that someone will falsify their personal history to get appointed.

You might believe chewing gum or mints keeps your breath fresh and makes you look cool.

But chewing in an interview pulls attention away from you. The second you start chewing or cracking wrappers the focus shifts to that, not your words.

If fresh breath is a concern, use mouthwash.

Employers are looking for appearance and articulation. Someone chomping and chewing is handing the prospective employer a big red notice that says “Reject“.

Unless you are auditioning as a gum-chewing teenager, avoid it.

You are best off keeping your breath fresh with mints and gum before the fact. Make sure your mouth is empty when you meet up.

You are sitting in a room with your potential future manager. Despite your preparation, you find yourself fidgeting, repeating yourself, and being overtly nervous. This can kill your odds fast.

Do not make the hiring professional feel uncomfortable, thus putting yourself at a disadvantage.

What recruiter will appreciate someone jiggling their foot, playing with some coins, biting their nails, and so on?

But What If Your Brain Does Not Cooperate? Here Are Tips to Master Your Nerves Like a Pro:

• Take deep breaths before going in. Get oxygen flowing through your body to calm the nerves.
• Loosen up your muscles. Do not let your shoulders or jaw lock tight.
• Take a beat before you answer. It shows you are thoughtful and in control. Meerkat Motivational Speaker #MeerkatMotivationalSpeaker
• Get a solid eight hours of sleep. It powers your body and clears your mind for peak performance.
• Give yourself plenty of time to get there. No rushing.

Too much confidence? It screams ego issues, and decision-makers pick up on that fast.

 Show off your skills and strengths, but keep the ego in check. Share your passion and explain why this role fits you perfectly. Stay real and bring authentic energy.

Keep your accomplishments on the “down low”. Be ready with examples and do not brag.

Let your real personality shine through. Boasting seems untrustworthy.

The business is searching for a candidate who is competent but also humble and willing to learn.

Being overly casual may make you appear amateurish. Being too formal makes people uncomfortable.

A balance between informality and formality is vital.

Excessively casual dress or overly formal clothes can sabotage your bid.

There is a balance where dressing appropriately and projecting professionalism meet one another.

It is handy to memorise the answers to potential questions.

However, you should never ramble them off. It will come across as scripted and mechanical. Interviewers do not employ robots.

What does this mean? In a perfect world, your answers flow like a real and relaxed conversation.

Forget the stiff rehearsed lines that sound like a broken record. Interviewers have heard it all before.

They want to see the real you and how you will drive their company forward. Do you genuinely care about their success? Estienne de Beer #EstienneDeBeer

When you practice your responses, the quality of the information will be evident when you answer. You will feel more confident than if you try to bark out “recorded” answers.

The worst move? Acting like you are doing the employer a favour by interviewing them. Flip that mindset.

Bombarding them with questions can hurt you as much as asking none.

Too many questions? It screams you did not do your homework about the role or company. Some candidates skip research entirely, hoping to learn everything on the spot.

Do not ask questions just for the sake of it.

The smartest play? Let them lead the chat and answer honestly. Keep it real and focused.

Too many candidates think their job is done once the interview ends.

After all your hard work preparing, do not let this opportunity go to waste. Seal the deal!

Do not leave without asking for the position.