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Attention, Job Seekers: 23 Things to Avoid During an Interview

by CHAN LEE PENG, Jul 15, 2008

Besides qualification and work experience, personal appearance and verbal and facial expressions are also important things to remember during a job interview.

Before going for the interview, you should always avoid doing the listed things here.

Do not reveal personal details and property rights of your previous employer as this will make interviewer thinking that you are an unreliable person to trust on
Do not allow any topics related to racism or gender issue to be discussed in front of the interviewer. Perhaps, you might think that your employer has a same thinking as yours, but in reality it is not. Therefore, you are strictly not allowed to debate any topics on the gender and racial discrimination with your interviewer.
Do not discuss political issues with your interviewer
Do not touch any topics on religion which might have annoyed the interviewer
Do not talk about athletes or film stars during the interview. In most cases, things you are favored of might appear to be an offensive issue for the interviewer to discuss on. Different interviewers may have different preferences and interests. So, next time you go for an interview, you should avoid this type of topic.
Do not talk about your kid, grandchildren or any family members during the interview. You might observe that the interviewer has a family photo placing on his or her table, but this is not a concrete reason for you to discuss this matter as you might have given a bad impression to the interviewer.
Do not boast in front of the interviewer by assuring him or her that you are smart enough to propose a giant project or get a particular commodity for the company. For example, you say, “I can get you a good retail price.” This might be a possible thing for you to do, but as for the interviewer, he or she might think that you are trying to give a bride in an attempt to retain the present vacancy.
Do not talk to your interviewer how you hate Mathematics, Science, or Biology. Some employers may expect his or her employees to be good at Science and Mathematics.
Do not go for a personal attack. For example, you comment or blame on people wearing red clothes, and you propose that they should do this or that in front of the interviewer. Remember, they might be someone in the workplace who likes to wear red clothes. Your bad comment towards such person may make the interviewer thinking that you cannot get along well with others or you are not a co-operated type of employee the company is looking for. At the ending of the interview, the interviewer will erase off your name from being shortlisted.
Do not grumble on the interviewer for making you to wait longer outside. You might have been asked to fill up the job application form in a relatively hot and uncomfortable room. You are annoyed and upset with the bad facility provided by the company and thus you talk in a high and angry tone with other employees working there. Bear in mind that those people are your examiners though they are not the person who hosts the interview for you. They can indirectly observe your characters and behaviors, and without your knowledge, they will tell the interviewer about how bad and odd this job candidate is. This assessment may have taken into consideration by the interviewer who is going to interview you and your application form might be put at the lowest beneath pile of the application forms. That means you have a very light hope to get employed.
Do not mention any political people or VIPs just to raise your status in front of the interviewer. For example, you say, “My grandpa is a mayor of Washington.” Or in other way you say, “My previous boss is an interior designer who decorates for the celebrities, Queen Elizabeth, and etc.” This will make the interviewer thinking that you are not the reliable person to work out the assigned task.

Do not tell your interviewer that you cannot work for overtime by giving many reasons. For example, you say, “I cannot work after 5p.m. as I've to fetch my wife from the workplace.” If the job requires the employees to agree to stay overtime for certain occasions, you might easily fail in this interview.
Do not keep yourself silent while you are being asked to answer for several questions. You should answer accordingly to the questions being asked. Do not give answers that are out of the topic. Do not become a dummy during the entire interview section as this will end up the interview section earlier than expected. This indicated that interviewer is not interested to pick you up for the vacancy.
Do not speak in a high tone but in a moderate tone that might be heard by the interviewer. The interviewer does not expect the interviewee to shout or scold at him or her.
Do not giggle or laugh during the interview. This is not a moment for you to play around with your interviewer. Be serious in this interview section as it determines your future job.

Do not be nervous or stress during the interview
Do not be rude but greet the interviewer with a polite nod. While sitting, pull the chair gently or you may ask the interviewer, “May I sit here?” After the interview, express your sincere thank to your interviewer. Remember, every action you did, every word you said, and each of your facial expression is silently observed by your interviewer.

Do not wear slippers, T-shirt or jeans for your interview, but wear proper attire as required by the job. The male should wear a proper long-sleeve shirt, leather shoes with dark colored socks and a pair of long pants. If possibly, the male should put in a tie to look smarter. For a female, she should wear a long skirt (the length should cover the knees or longer than the knees), a light colored blouse (colorful one is not recommended for a job interview), and a pair of high heel shoes but not too high that hinders the movement together with skin-colored thin long socks (can also be substituted with a flatten lady-like leather shoes but not sandals or slippers). Females with long hair should have their hair properly combed or tied before going for the interview.
Do not close the door too harsh but close it gently to show your politeness or respect to other people working there
Do not praise the interviewer. For example, you say, “Wow, you look beautiful with your long hair!” Your praise may be misunderstood by the interviewer that you are taking advance to win a job in the company. In view of the interviewer, this can be a dishonorable act towards him or her. Instead, you can say, “Thanks for taking time and trouble to interview me.”.
Do not show any negative body language in front of the interviewer as he or she may find that you are trying to insult him or her with the disgusting behaviors. For example, you paint your fingernail with a brush, or you take off your shoes by showing your legs. In these cases, you are more likely to be out of the consideration for the vacancy.