Nervousness and excitement before a job interview are feelings that everyone is familiar with. People often ponder on what to say to make the best impression. Some may even be tempted to invent fictional stories about past employers just to leave a more favorable impression. But stop! You've already taken the first step – you've received an invitation for the interview. That is reason enough to stick to the truth and bring confidence to the job interview. Smart self-marketing is the key to landing the job. Here, we present the biggest mistakes in a job interview and provide some useful tips on how to avoid them.

1. Lying

Feeling nervous and thinking your chances are slim? Amid this pressure, some resort to creating stories about fictional impressive employers, inflated salaries, unique projects completed abroad, and social engagement in Tanzania (which may have just been a regular vacation). However, this is an absolute no-go. Lies are among the worst mistakes and should be avoided at all costs. Even if your untruths don't immediately stand out in the interview (considering the application documents), they could come to light later in the employment relationship.

2. Tardiness

Being late to a job interview means losing before the conversation even starts. Tardiness is one of the most common and significant mistakes. The company may question: If you can't even arrive on time, how will you attend a business meeting punctually at your job? So, avoid getting into this situation. Plan ahead to arrive relaxed and on time. It doesn't hurt to have half an hour to yourself before the interview to take a deep breath.

3. Inappropriate Questions

You're highly motivated for the position and eager to learn everything about the company, its benefits, and your supposed predecessors. However, it's advisable to proceed carefully in the first interview. Certain questions should be avoided either because they are relevant at a later stage or should be posed by the company.

4. What to wear for a Job Interview

Even in terms of clothing, embarrassing mistakes can happen. While most applicants don't show up for a job interview in flip-flops and with a sparkly purse, there is still uncertainty for many regarding the dress code in interviews. It's best to appear in a smart but simple look. A blazer rarely goes wrong.

5. Too Modest

To make a positive impression, it's important to skillfully highlight your achievements and successes. Avoid lies or exaggerations, but also steer clear of being too modest. Show what you're truly capable of and talk about your achievements and successes. After all, the competition never sleeps.

6. Arrogance & Disinterest

Following the previous point: Don't be too modest, but definitely avoid arrogance. You may have achieved outstanding results and be the top graduate in your class – your commitment during your studies undoubtedly deserves recognition. However, it's advisable not to constantly flaunt this in front of the recruiter. They already have the essential information, or you wouldn't be sitting in front of them. Instead, strategically apply your knowledge in the right places and present it appropriately when asked. It's important not to come across as overly self-important.

7. "Yeah, I've heard of that"

Saying, "I've heard of that before," is not an acceptable response in a professional job interview. It's not enough if names like McKinsey, BCG, or Union Investment are merely familiar to you. If you're applying to these or other top employers, thorough preparation is crucial. You should not only know superficial facts but also look beyond the surface. Researching the interviewer is also an excellent opportunity to develop your questions and have them ready when needed. Good pre-interview research is part of good preparation.

8. Memorizing the Career Guide

There are excellent career guides that can prepare you optimally for a job interview as a junior consultant or banker. You can consider tips from guides but resist the temptation to memorise formulations and mechanically reproduce them. Always tailor your answers to the conversation and the advertised position. An experienced recruiter will immediately recognize if you're presenting rehearsed answers.

9. Gossip

Absolutely no gossip! Rumors, office gossip, or derogatory remarks about current or former employers are an absolute no-go and seem childish in a job interview. It's an unwritten rule and a matter of decency not to badmouth your last boss or colleagues. Try to answer uncomfortable questions about possible negative aspects of your previous job as diplomatically as possible. Don't get personal; instead, mention factual factors that bothered you. By the way, this is a perfect moment to score with insider information about the current company. Here's an example: "In my previous position at Company XY, I reached my limits regarding further education opportunities. That's why your part-time MBA program is particularly appealing to me."

10. Put Away the Phone

It already causes awkward grins during lectures, and probably everyone knows that a phone ringing during a job interview is very inappropriate. But because it still happens, switch your phone to silent or, ideally, turn it off before the interview starts.

In case you want more information on this topic you can find an article on how to prepare for a job interview here. Also, in this article we tell you which questions to ask in a job interview to stand out from other candidates.