Five blunders to steer clear of during job interviews

It goes without saying that showing up late or being inappropriately dressed for a job interview hurts your chances of getting hired. However, there are also a number of less obvious blunders job seekers should guard against. Here are five of them:

1. Being ill prepared. If you fail to take the time to study the job posting or research the company, this will likely show indifference and the employer could interpret it as a lack of seriousness on your part. It’s important that you have a good understanding going into the interview of what the position entails.

2. Showing disrespect. Your credentials aren’t all that count. Employers are also looking for someone with a respectful and positive attitude. Don’t, for example, check your phone — even for a second — during an interview. This will inevitably create a bad impression.

3. Stretching the truth. Experienced employers are quick to detect fibs and exaggerations. Always be truthful. Selling yourself is one thing; false advertising is another.

4. Being negative. Avoid speaking about former employers or co-workers in negative terms. If you have to talk about an unpleasant job experience, do so with tact and reserve.

5. Saying too much. Don’t be a chatterbox. Being overly gabby can come off as unprofessional. As a rule, respond to the questions you’re asked without rambling and avoid talking about your personal life.

Avoid the above missteps and you’ll improve your chances of landing the position you’re after. Best of luck in your job search!