Mistakes in Interview

1. A Lack of Enthusiasm

Attitude and sense of direction are vital to conveying a real love and interest in what you are pursuing. Make sure you give examples and demonstrate your interest in a particular area, don't just say you are interested.

2. Unprofessional Behavior

Think of all the ways that you present yourself to a potential employer, including via the telephone. Make sure you have an answering machine or voice mail that leaves a professional message. Forewarn roommates and family that you may be receiving calls from employers and instruct them on the type of message you would like to be taken.

It is appropriate to wear conservative business suits to interviews, even if the job is more casual than that. You want to dress better than you would if you were working there, because you are not working there yet.

Arriving late and rescheduling meetings are all too common signs that you aren't ready for the work world. If you commit to an interview time, keep it.

Always send a thank you note after the interview, and follow up with a quick, to-the-point phone call reaffirming your interest.

3. Poor Research Prior to Interviews

Research the field, the profession, and the company before the interview and be prepared with background facts and questions. Read newspapers and trade magazines to keep up with current company issues, such as mergers. Contact people in the company who are doing what you want to do and ask them how they got there.

4. Lying to Employers

Most recruiters will verify dates of employment, academic degrees, references, previous earnings, GPAs, club memberships, and whether candidates have criminal records. If you are found out to have lied after you get the position, you will most likely lose your job since you are usually required to sign a legal document attesting to the truth of your claims.

5. A Lack of Direction

Don't arrive at an interview hoping to be told by the recruiter what position you should be seeking, or expecting him to lay out career goals for you. The most effective candidates know where they are going and why. You should be able to articulate what you learned in your academic career and be able to explain how you plan to apply it. Focus, maturity and sense of self are crucial.

6. Weak Communication Skills

How you behave during an interview can be as impressive as what you say. Recruiters often complain about candidates who talk too much, listen poorly, and fail to ask questions. Make sure you listen for and remember critical information, such as the name of your interviewer. Asking good questions is key because it shows that you've researched and thought about important issues. Use proper English, avoid slang.

7. Failure to Sell Yourself

You need to sell employers on your skills and future value, and the best way to do so is by giving examples. Translate what you have done into skills employers can use. Samples of previous accomplishments, such as papers and projects you've completed, are a great way to demonstrate your skills.