Just about everyone, even well-seasoned and experienced individuals, can relate to the anxiety an upcoming job interview can induce. While it is important to focus on your strengths, weaknesses, and the experience you have related to the potential job, it’s also essential to take a moment and think about what you SHOULDN’T do during an interview. Below we have listed 5 steps that will cause you to BOMB your interview.

Step 1: Be Late

It is best to arrive 10-15 minutes before your interview is scheduled. Plan ahead for traffic and any other obstacle that could interfere with your arrival time. You do NOT want to keep an interviewer waiting for you.

Step 2: Be Unprepared

When you arrive to the interview, be sure to know who you’re scheduled to interview with, and for what position you’re interviewing for. You don’t want your interviewer to feel obligated to reintroduce themselves because you forgot their name, especially if you’ve spoken with them before.

Step 3: Be Over/Under-dressed

It’s okay to ask what the interview attire is during scheduling if you aren’t sure. Don’t wear flashy jewelry and watches, wacky colors, or too much make-up. You don’t want your interviewer to be distracted in any way by your outfit.

Step 4: Talk Too Much

Be straightforward and concise with your answers. Give a little bit of background information to show your personality and not be robotic. However, don’t babble on for so long that you forget the question and be sure to stay on topic.

Step 5: Don’t Show Curiosity or Interest

You should always come prepared with questions to ask before the interview ends. Look at it as an opportunity to see if the job is a good fit for you. Don’t be afraid to touch on subjects discussed during the interview that you had questions about, as it shows you were paying attention and truly assessing the position as much as they are assessing you.

Remember that interviewers can see right through you if you aren’t being yourself. Sometimes you can get flustered trying to speak or act a certain way that may not be habitual. Focusing on what NOT to do will allow you to naturally and effortlessly represent yourself as the best candidate for the job!