Interview Dos and Don'ts: What to Do (and Never Do) to Get Hired

Timing and Preparation Mistakes

Punctuality problems consistently rank among the top interview failures. Never arrive late without calling ahead, even traffic or transportation issues reflect poor planning to many hiring managers. Lateness suggests you might miss important meetings or deadlines if hired. If unexpected circumstances arise, contact the interviewer immediately to explain and reschedule if necessary.

Inadequate preparation is equally damaging to your chances of getting hired. Don’t attempt to “wing it” without researching the company, role, or industry. Employers expect candidates to understand their business challenges and demonstrate genuine interest through informed questions. Lack of preparation appears as disrespect for the interviewer’s time and suggests you might approach job responsibilities with similar casualness.

Avoid scheduling interviews during lunch hours or late Friday afternoons when interviewers may be distracted or rushed. These timing choices can prevent you from receiving full attention and a thorough evaluation. When possible, suggest morning or mid-afternoon time slots when energy levels are higher and focus is sharper.

Communication and Behavior Red Flags

Speaking negatively about past employers, managers, or colleagues is perhaps the most damaging mistake candidates make during interviews. This behavior raises immediate concerns about professionalism, loyalty, and emotional maturity. Even if you had legitimate grievances, frame departures constructively: “I’m seeking new challenges” or “I want to work in a more collaborative environment” rather than criticizing previous workplaces.

Interrupting the interviewer demonstrates poor listening skills and suggests you might dominate team discussions or dismiss colleagues’ input. Let interviewers complete their thoughts, pause briefly to ensure they’re finished, then respond thoughtfully. This patience shows respect and strong interpersonal skills valued in collaborative technical environments.

Discussing salary, benefits, vacation time, or work-from-home policies during first interviews signals prioritizing personal gains over contributing to the organization. Wait for employers to introduce compensation topics, or save these discussions for later rounds when mutual interest is established. Focus initial conversations on how you can add value to their team and solve their challenges.

Never falsify information about experience, skills, or background. Reference checks and technical assessments will expose dishonesty, often resulting in immediate disqualification or termination after hire. If you lack specific experience, acknowledge the gap honestly while emphasizing your learning ability and related transferable skills.

Avoid asking questions easily answered through basic website research or job description review. Questions like “What does your company do?” or “What are the main responsibilities?” suggest laziness and disinterest. Instead, ask thoughtful questions that demonstrate deeper research: “How does your recent expansion into European markets affect the engineering team’s priorities?”