7 Biggest Interview Mistakes HR Professionals Encounter

Some people think that HR pros are calculating or hyper-analytical when engaged in an interview. While they are trained to conduct interviews in a strategic manner, human resource and recruitment professionals are actually just trying to match the right job with the right candidate.

However, there is one thing to be said about HR professionals with a few years under their belts. They’ve probably seen and heard it all when dealing with interviews. And some of the crazy things they’ve seen could cause you to think twice as a candidate.

To help you avoid making a serious snafu at the next job interview you participate in, here are some of the biggest interview mistakes in the history of human resources (to avoid at all costs).

#1 – The poor first impression in an interview

When you are interviewing for a job, the first few minutes with the recruiter or HR manager are absolutely critical. Studies have shown that the way you introduce yourself to a recruiter, even down to the handshake, matters. Be professional, polite, look the part, and most importantly, smile and make eye contact.

#2 – Ill-prepared for the interview

An interview is just the start of an exciting new journey, therefore you will want to prepare for the interview. One of the pet peeves of many recruiters is that the candidate knows nothing about the company, despite the fact that there is a corporate website available from which to learn something. Take the time to do this so you can better understand the objectives of the company.

#3 – Wrong place, wrong time

Chances are, the interview has been scheduled for a specific time and at a specific location for a reason. Showing up an hour early or worse yet, more than five minutes late, can really upset the apple cart. Before the interview, get your GPS set with the accurate location and get there 15-minutes early.

The rest of the list can be found at PayScale.com