BY AKANSHA ARORA SETHI

Getting to an interview for a position you have always wanted is exciting. But before you step up and start the happy dance, are you sure that you are prepared to put your best foot forward? There are plenty of ways you could mess up the whole process, but there are some crucial ones that turn off the employer immediately. Here is what you need to take care of.

1. DON’T JUST TALK ABOUT YOURSELF

Organizations want to know if you are a team player. Also, they are interested to know if the job interests you and have you taken time to understand the job requirements. Your qualifications might be impressive but unless it fits the role, you talking about yourself does not really make a lot of sense. Some statements you should use in an interview include:

• This job is a great fit for me because __
• Here is how I fit the role completely __

2. DO A THOROUGH RESEARCH

Employers expect the candidates to have complete knowledge about the services or products that the organization offers. It is fine to not have detailed knowledge, but your research should be enough to carry on a two way conversation.

Go through the company website thoroughly and get a hang of the services they provide. Make the interviewer believe that you believe in same values as theirs and fit in perfectly.

3. YOU HAVE NO QUESTIONS

Failing an opportunity to ask the employer can cost you an offer. No kidding but interviews are two-way street. It is an opportunity where the employer gets to know you and you get to know the employer. You should be prepared with your set of questions that you put forward either throughout the interview or at end. It makes the employer believe that you care about being a part of the company.

4. DISPLAY PASSION

If you as a potential employee display no passion or interest in what the company does day to day, the interviewer can turn you down in the beginning only. Interviewers are stressful but you have to prepare to sound motivated, passionate and confident about the entire process. Looking bored or uninterested might leave you jobless.

5. DO NOT SMELL DRAMA

Employers do not like when a candidate comes in with a list of excuses why things didn’t work out well at their past jobs. If you have a ready list that continuously speaks negative about previous employers leaves an impression that you like to make excuses and probably would not be committed well to this organization as well. Employers like to stay away from people who bad mouth to save themselves of any such things in the future.

6. TELL WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR THE COMPANY

Most candidates in an interview just talk about what a company can do for them without even mentioning what they have to offer to the organization. Employers immediately pass a net taker and are inclined towards someone who is more of a giver. If you are someone like that, you have more chances of getting on board.

7. HAVE AN AGENDA

Have an agenda when you go for an interview. If you only prepare a set of questions, you have already lost the battle. Conduct your own research to answer questions and find creative ways to stand out of the crowd. Share things about yourself that are not displayed on your resume or be prepared with something unique that does not appear on Google search.

You get to an interview when your resume displays the best of you making you perfect for the role applied. When the first step that is building your resume is done right, concentrate on the interview and ensure that you make through it.

Avoid these set of mistakes in an interview and lock yourself a job offer.