Employer Branding
Recruitment
Common interview mistakes and how to avoid them
06 NOVEMBER 2024
What are the most common interview mistakes?
The most common mistakes are poor preparation, generic answers without examples, speaking badly about former employers and not asking any questions of your own. Prepare concrete examples using the situation, task, action and result model, and read up on the company and the role before the interview.
Have you finally found your dream job? Congratulations! Wondering how to impress with your application? Our recruiters share the most common mistakes they come across in the recruitment process and give you tips on how to avoid them.
What should I not miss in the application process?
Your first impression is crucial for how a potential employer sees you, and it starts with your CV. Did you know that it takes a recruiter only seven seconds on average to decide whether your application is relevant for the role? To help you with the first step of the application process, our recruiters have summarised what to avoid and what to focus on to impress and leave a memorable mark in the recruitment process.
The three most common CV mistakes and how to succeed:
- Flashy design layouts and unclear structure
How to avoid it:
Keep your CV short, clear and professional. Many recruiters now use AI for a first screening of applications, and overly flashy layouts can make it harder to read. Start with a short summary of the skills and experience relevant to the role, then list them with years and dates, most recent job first. Start with your work experience and continue with education. Keep your CV to one page. And don’t forget your contact details!
- Irrelevant references
How to avoid it:
Choose references who can give a fair assessment of you here and now: people who know you and have worked closely with you, such as a colleague, manager or team lead. Choose fairly recent references; two is usually enough. Remember to ask your references whether they are available and tell them which role you have applied for. Let them know when you are in the final stage and when they can expect a call from the recruiter. You don’t need to include references in your CV; you can provide them when the recruiter asks.
- A cover letter that is too personal
How to avoid it:
See your cover letter as an extension of your CV. Avoid being overly personal and focus instead on explaining in more depth why you applied for the role and why you are right for it, combined with your experience.
The three most common interview mistakes and how to succeed:
- Not being well enough prepared
How to avoid it:
Do your research and read up on the role and the company so you arrive well prepared. A good tip is to find someone in a similar role at the company and look at their education and experience. This can give you a hint about what to emphasise or ask more about in the interview. Explain why you are right for the role and connect it to the company’s values or vision.
- Using clichés instead of concrete examples
How to avoid it:
Prepare concrete examples before the interview. Talk, for example, about a deal that went well or how you handled a stressful situation. This makes it easier to avoid worn-out clichés such as being good under pressure or used to juggling many balls at once. You will also come across as more credible and prepared when you can describe situations that show your strengths or weaknesses.
- Not asking any questions
How to avoid it:
Remember: a job interview is just as much your chance to evaluate the employer. Prepare a few questions that help you decide whether the role, the culture and the workplace are right for you. Is something unclear in the job ad? What are the next steps in the process? When can you expect feedback? No question is stupid; questions make you seem more interested!
Looking for your next job? See open positions via Oddwork or read what recruiters look for.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about interviews
How do you prepare for an interview?
Read up on the company, go through the job ad point by point and prepare examples showing you have the skills they are asking for.
What is a competency-based interview?
An interview where you describe how you actually acted in real situations, so the interviewer can assess the competencies the role requires.
How do you answer the question about weaknesses?
Choose something real but manageable, and explain what you are doing to develop.