12 ways to bomb a job interview

Sometimes, we never hear from the recruiter again.

Here’s a look at the ways your peers and competitors have bombed their interviews. Have you made some of these mistakes? Sure, some of these may seem like common sense, but job-seekers make the following missteps every day:

1. Go too casual.

“Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence in society.” – Mark Twain

Ask the recruiter ahead of time, on the phone or email, about the company’s dress code. If asking is uncomfortable, play it safe with dress pants or slacks and a nice shirt and tie; or skirt and blouse. Even a laid-back startup would be impressed with your professionalism. Better to be overdressed than, well, naked.

2. Arrive unprepared.

You emailed your résumé—certainly the hiring manager had time to memorize it, or at least to print it and bring copies with him, right? Wrong. You had better bring copies of your resume to the interview.

The more you know about the company and industry before the interview, the better. Research the company’s history, major competitors, market niche, products, etc. Having a quality notebook or leather-bound portfolio in which to take interview notes will add to a professional tone.

3. Offer a weak handshake.