Things you could do wrong in a job interview

She suggests keeping in mind that a potential employer is interested in how you can help them, and you want to show that throughout the process — including with a thank-you letter after the interview.

“The most important thing is to understand that they will hire the person who is prepared, interested and can clearly explain why they are the best person for the job,” Haller said.

Below are some things you may be doing wrong during an interview.

Don’t focus on the interviewer

A Glassdoor blog post said people shouldn't look at their phones. “Anytime during an interview, answering calls, texting, or even checking to see who's calling is unprofessional and shows your interviewer that you're not paying attention,” the post said.

Instead, people should look at the person interviewing them. Haller said interviewees should practice making eye contact, especially if they're doing a virtual interview and aren't used to speaking that way. “If I'm on a video with someone doing an interview and they're not looking at me, that's a turn-off,” she said.

An Indeed post by career coach Jamie Birt also suggested avoiding eye contact or even looking down, as interviewers “may misinterpret this as a sign of weakness or lying.” Birt suggested pretending the interview was a conversation with a friend.

Not arriving on time for the interview

Haller said it's not a good idea to arrive too early for an interview. “Because then it will be interpreted as if you don't have a sense of timing and what is appropriate,” she said.

This does not mean that you should wait until the last minute to come to the interview.

“If the interview is in person, I recommend that you arrive and leave on time,” Haller said. “But don't go to the office yet. Prepare yourself. Go upstairs or into the house or wherever the interview is about five minutes before the interview. Five to ten minutes is perfectly fine.”

She said candidates should not be late for virtual calls either, so they should practice using the virtual chat technology before the interview to avoid technical difficulties.

“What you do during an interview tells the person what it's going to be like working with you,” Haller said. “So if you're late for an interview, they already think you're late for work. Why should I hire you? If you don't have a proper excuse and make the appropriate call, things happen.”

Being rude to people other than the interviewer

Haller notes that the candidate's conversation with the person at the reception is actually part of the interview.

“I worked as a human resources manager for many years, hiring all the office workers and sales people. I would always go back to the receptionist and ask, 'What was it like when that person came in?' And if that person was unfriendly or rude to my receptionist, that was as much a part of the interview as what they said to me,” she said.

Birt's Indeed post also warns against being rude. “The interviewer will likely ask employees you met during your time at the company about their impressions of you,” the Indeed post says. “Instead of being aloof, greet everyone you encounter during your interview in a friendly manner and with a smile.”

Your answers to frequently asked interview questions are not good

One common question is about a candidate's weaknesses. Haller says she doesn't think “people are really asking about your weaknesses. They're asking if you're self-aware and know what you need to work on and what you need to compensate for. That's what they really want to know.”

When asked why she wanted the job, Haller replied: “People don’t care what you want.” It’s more about your knowledge of the company.

“They want to know that you're interested in working for them, but they don't care if it's a great first job for you or if there are other reasons that really don't matter for hiring you,” Haller said.

Haller said this question should allow job seekers to demonstrate that they have taken the time to learn about the employer, including what has been said in the news. Haller finds that people can also express their interest in being part of the employer's mission and team.

“Every answer in an interview must be based on why you are the best person for the job, period,” Haller said.

It can also be problematic to speak impromptu about your understanding of the company in an interview.

“If I invite someone to an interview and they don't even know what my company does, what our mission is or anything else about us, that's a big red flag,” Haller said.

Not preparing answers about skills or other things the employer is looking for

Given the popularity of competency-based hiring processes, you may want to showcase your skills during the interview, even if you are not directly asked about them.

If the job posting emphasizes teamwork, Haller says you should incorporate this into a story you tell during the interview.

However, Birt's Indeed post said that one should avoid lying about skills and other things in the interview and not appear arrogant.

“Displaying pride can give your interviewers the impression that you are talking down to them,” Birt said. “Instead, discuss your skills and accomplishments in the context of how they can help the company in a direct, non-bragging way.”

Not being professional

Haller said the background for your virtual call with an employer should be business-friendly. “You don't want your messy bed in the background while you're interviewing,” Haller said.

Appropriate clothing can also be important. Haller recommended checking LinkedIn to see what dress code applies to your employer.

“Some companies may expect you to wear something more formal, or if you're applying to an advertising agency, the dress code may be less formal,” Haller said.

Professionalism goes beyond the look of the background on a virtual call and what a job seeker wears. The Glassdoor post cautions about how to talk about the past. “Speaking negatively about people you once worked with is unprofessional, but it also makes the interviewer think about whether you will speak negatively about them in the future,” the blog says.

That doesn't mean you should ignore your previous experience during an interview. The Glassdoor post said the candidate can explain how they can use what they've learned to benefit their new employer.

Not asking good questions

Haller emphasized that interviewees should not only be prepared to answer questions, but that they should also ask good questions at the end.

“The really good candidates will say something like, 'What else can I tell you so you know I'm the best candidate for the job?' or 'What else could I explain so you know I can do a great job on your team?'” Haller said.

These types of questions serve a purpose before an interview is over.

“They want to see if you've addressed any objections, if there's anything you haven't talked about that you want to disclose, your interest in the position and ask about the next steps,” Haller said. “Candidates who don't do that miss out on a lot of opportunities.”

Michael Doolin, CEO of Clover HR, said in an essay for Business Insider, “If I were lucky enough to be offered this position, what advice would you give me to get started?” and “How would I be evaluated in this job?” are two good questions to ask.

“I tell anyone who asks me for interview tips to ask those two questions,” Doolin said. “But more importantly, have your own answers ready: Be prepared to provide examples of how you would work in the job, how you would like to be measured on your work, and how well you fit the answers they give. That's another opportunity to highlight your value.”

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