You prepared for weeks. You researched the company. You practiced your answers. The interview seemed to go well. But then… nothing. No offer. No callback. Just a generic rejection email.

What went wrong?

Sometimes you don’t get the job because someone else was simply a better fit. That happens, and it’s okay. But other times, you lose the job because of avoidable mistakes that you didn’t even realize you were making.

I’ve talked to dozens of hiring managers and recruiters, and they all say the same thing: most candidates lose opportunities not because they lack skills, but because they make simple, preventable errors during the interview process.

Let’s talk about the biggest interview mistakes that cost people jobs, and more importantly, how you can avoid them.

The “Before You Even Get There” Mistakes

Mistake #1: Showing Up Late (Or Too Early)

This seems obvious, but it’s surprisingly common. And it’s often an instant disqualification.

Why it kills your chances: Being late tells the interviewer you don’t respect their time, you’re disorganized, or you’re not serious about the job. First impressions happen before you even open your mouth, and walking in flustered and apologetic is not how you want to start.

But showing up too early is also a problem. Arriving 30 minutes early puts pressure on the interviewer, disrupts their schedule, and can make you seem desperate or like you have nothing better to do.

How to avoid it:

• Plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early – not earlier, not later
• Do a test run of the route the day before if it’s somewhere new
• Leave way earlier than you think you need to – traffic happens, trains are late, parking is hard to find
• If you arrive super early, wait in your car or find a nearby coffee shop until it’s appropriate to go in
• If you’re going to be late despite your best efforts, call immediately (not text, call) and give them a heads up

For video interviews: Log in exactly 5 minutes early. Not 20 minutes (you might interrupt their previous meeting), not right on time (seems rushed).

Mistake #2: Not Researching the Company

You’d be shocked at how many people walk into interviews knowing almost nothing about the company they’re applying to.

Why it kills your chances: When an interviewer asks, “What do you know about our company?” and you give a vague answer like “You’re a leader in your industry,” they know you didn’t bother to prepare. It screams, “I’m just applying everywhere and don’t really care about this specific job.”

How to avoid it: Spend at least 30-60 minutes researching before your interview:

• Read their entire website – especially the About Us, Mission/Values, and recent news
• Check their social media – see what they’re posting about and how they present themselves
• Google’s recent news about the company – any new products, expansions, awards, or changes?
• Look up your interviewer on LinkedIn – understand their background and role
• Read employee reviews on Glassdoor – but take them with a grain of salt

In the interview, reference specific things: “I saw on your LinkedIn that you just launched the mentorship program – that really resonated with me because…” sounds way better than “I think you’re a great company.”

Pro tip: Our AI Interview Trainer can help you practice talking about the company naturally without sounding like you memorized their website.

Mistake #3: Dressing Inappropriately

Yes, this still matters in 2025. What you wear affects how seriously you’re taken.

Why it kills your chances: Dressing too casually suggests you don’t take the opportunity seriously. Dressing too formally for a casual workplace can make you seem out of touch with their culture.

How to avoid it:

• When in doubt, go slightly more formal – it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed
• Research the company culture – check their social media and website for photos of employees
• Ask the recruiter – it’s perfectly fine to ask “What’s the dress code for the interview?”
• Make sure everything is clean, ironed, and fits well – even casual clothes should look put-together
• Skip the heavy perfume/cologne – some people are sensitive to strong scents
• Test your outfit beforehand – make sure you can sit comfortably and nothing rides up or shows too much

General guidelines:

• Corporate/Finance/Law: Full suit, conservative colors
• Most office jobs: Business casual – dress pants/skirt with nice top
• Tech/Startups: Business casual is safe, though some places are even more casual
• Creative fields: You can show more personality, but keep it professional

Mistake #4: Bringing Your Phone Into the Interview (And Not Silencing It)

I’ve heard horror stories of candidates whose phones rang during interviews. One recruiter told me about a candidate who actually answered the call. They did not get the job.

Why it kills your chances: A ringing phone is distracting and disrespectful. Checking your phone during the interview suggests you’re not fully present or engaged.

How to avoid it:

• Turn your phone completely off – not vibrate, OFF – before you enter
• Leave it in your bag or car – don’t even have it on the table
• If you absolutely must have it on for an emergency, tell the interviewer at the start: “I apologize, but I’m expecting an urgent call about a family emergency. My phone is on silent, but I wanted to let you know in case I need to step out.”

The “During the Interview” Mistakes

Mistake #5: Giving Vague, Generic Answers

This is probably the #1 reason qualified candidates don’t get offers. They give answers that could apply to anyone.

Examples of vague answers:

• “I’m a hard worker and I’m passionate about this field.”
• “I’m good at working with people and solving problems.”
• “I left my last job because I wanted new opportunities.”

Why it kills your chances: These answers don’t tell the interviewer anything about you specifically. They’re hearing the same generic responses from every candidate. You blend into the background and become forgettable.

How to avoid it: Use the STAR method for every answer – give specific examples with real details:

• Situation: What was the context?
• Task: What needed to be done?
• Action: What did YOU specifically do?
• Result: What was the outcome? Include numbers if possible.

Compare these answers:

Vague: “I’m good at problem-solving.”

Specific: “In my last role, our customer complaints increased by 40% in one month. I analyzed the data and realized most complaints were about slow email responses. I proposed a new ticket routing system, trained the team on it, and within two months, our response time went from 48 hours to 6 hours, and complaints dropped by 60%.”

See the difference? The second answer proves you can solve problems with a real example.

Practice this: Use our AI Interview Trainer to practice giving specific, detailed answers. It’ll call you out when you’re being too vague and help you add the concrete details that make you memorable.

Mistake #6: Talking Too Much or Too Little

Finding the right balance is tricky, but it matters.

Talking too much: Some candidates ramble for 5-10 minutes answering a simple question. They go off on tangents, repeat themselves, and lose the interviewer’s attention.

Talking too little: Other candidates give one-sentence answers that don’t provide enough information. The interviewer has to drag information out of them like pulling teeth.

Why it kills your chances: Rambling suggests you can’t organize your thoughts or communicate concisely – both critical workplace skills. Too-short answers make you seem unprepared, disinterested, or like you’re hiding something.

How to avoid it:

• Aim for 1.5-3 minutes per answer for most questions
• Use the STAR method – it naturally keeps you organized and concise
• If you catch yourself rambling, stop and ask, “Sorry, did that answer your question, or would you like me to elaborate on any part?”
• If you gave a short answer, add context: “To give you more context…” or “A specific example of this is…”
• Practice out loud – recording yourself helps you hear when you’re rambling

Watch the interviewer’s body language: If they’re leaning back, looking at their notes, or seem distracted, you’re probably talking too long. Wrap it up.

Mistake #7: Badmouthing Your Previous Employer

This is a huge red flag for interviewers. Even if your last boss was terrible, your company was toxic, or you were treated unfairly, you cannot say this in an interview.

Why it kills your chances: When you trash-talk your previous employer, the interviewer thinks:

• “Will they talk about us this way when they leave?”
• “Are they the problem, not the employer?”
• “They seem bitter and negative.”
• “They can’t handle conflict professionally.”

How to avoid it: Stay neutral or positive when discussing previous jobs, even if you hated them.

Instead of: “My boss was a micromanager who never listened to anyone’s ideas. The company culture was toxic, and everyone was miserable.”

Say: “The role evolved into something different than what I was originally hired for, and I’m looking for a position where I can focus more on [the aspects you enjoy]. I learned a lot there, but I’m ready for my next challenge.”

Other diplomatic phrases:

• “It wasn’t the right fit” instead of “They were terrible”
• “I’m looking for more growth opportunities” instead of “There was no room for advancement.”
• “The company restructured” instead of “They treated employees badly”
• “I want to work on larger projects” instead of “My projects were boring.”

You can be honest without being negative. Focus on what you’re moving toward, not what you’re running from.

Mistake #8: Not Preparing Questions to Ask

At the end of almost every interview, you’ll hear “Do you have any questions for us?” This is NOT optional. Saying “No, I think you covered everything” is a mistake.

Why it kills your chances: Having no questions suggests:

• You’re not really interested in the job
• You didn’t think deeply about the role
• You’re just going through the motions
• You’re not curious or engaged

How to avoid it: Prepare 8-10 questions beforehand. Some might get answered during the interview, so you need backups.

Great questions to ask:

• “What does success look like in this role in the first 3-6 months?”
• “What are the biggest challenges facing your team right now?”
• “Can you tell me about the team I’d be working with?”
• “What do you enjoy most about working here?”
• “How would you describe the company culture?”
• “What opportunities are there for professional development?”
• “What are the next steps in the hiring process?”

Questions to avoid:

• Anything about salary, benefits, or vacation time in the first interview (unless they bring it up)
• Things easily found on their website (“What does your company do?”)
• Anything negative (“What’s the worst thing about working here?”)
• Questions that make you seem entitled (“How soon can I get promoted?”)

Mistake #9: Lying or Exaggerating

Some candidates panic during interviews and embellish their experience or make up accomplishments. This almost always backfires.

Why it kills your chances: Experienced interviewers can spot lies. They’ll ask follow-up questions that you can’t answer. Even if you get the job, you’ll be found out eventually, and lying is usually grounds for termination.

Common lies that get caught:

• Exaggerating your role in projects (“I led this” when you were actually just a team member)
• Claiming skills you don’t have (especially technical skills they can test)
• Making up reasons for leaving previous jobs
• Inflating salary history
• Lying about education or credentials

How to avoid it: Just be honest. If you don’t have a specific experience they’re asking about:

• “I haven’t done that exact thing, but I’ve done something similar…”
• “That’s an area I’m still developing, but I’m actively working on it by…”
• “I don’t have direct experience with that, but I’m a fast learner and I’m confident I could pick it up quickly.”

Honesty with a growth mindset beats fake experience every time.

Mistake #10: Not Making Eye Contact or Having Poor Body Language

Your non-verbal communication matters as much as what you say. Maybe more.

Why it kills your chances: Poor body language sends negative messages:

• No eye contact = lack of confidence, dishonesty, or disinterest
• Slouching = lack of energy or professionalism
• Crossed arms = defensive or closed off
• Fidgeting = nervousness or lack of focus

How to avoid it: Good body language includes:

• Making appropriate eye contact – not staring intensely, but looking at the interviewer when speaking and listening
• Sitting up straight but relaxed – not rigid, but engaged
• Leaning slightly forward – shows interest
• Using natural hand gestures when you talk makes you seem more confident and passionate
• Nodding when they speak – shows you’re listening
• Smiling genuinely when appropriate

For video interviews:

• Look at the camera when speaking, not at your own image
• Position your camera at eye level – looking up or down at the camera creates weird angles
• Sit at arm’s length from the camera – not too close, not too far
• Keep your hands visible – having them in frame makes you seem more trustworthy

Practice this: Do mock interviews on video and watch yourself. You’ll be surprised by what you notice about your body language.

Mistake #11: Failing to Answer the Actual Question

Sometimes candidates get so focused on giving a “good answer” that they forget to answer what was actually asked.

Why it kills your chances: It suggests you’re not listening, you’re just waiting for your turn to talk, or you’re trying to hide something by deflecting.

How to avoid it:

• Listen to the entire question before formulating your answer
• Take a breath and think for a few seconds – it’s okay to pause
• If you’re not sure what they’re asking, ask for clarification: “Just to make sure I understand, are you asking about…?”
• Start your answer by addressing their question directly, then provide context

Example: Question: “Tell me about a time you failed.”

Wrong approach: Launching into a story about a success that had minor setbacks (not a real failure)

Right approach: “In my first year as a project manager, I completely missed a crucial deadline because I didn’t build in enough buffer time. Here’s what happened and what I learned…”

Mistake #12: Not Showing Enthusiasm

You might be perfect for the job on paper, but if you seem bored or indifferent, you won’t get hired.

Why it kills your chances: Employers want people who actually want to work there. Energy and enthusiasm are contagious. If you can’t get excited about the job during the interview, why would they think you’ll be motivated once you’re hired?

How to avoid it:

• Smile genuinely – it makes you seem approachable and positive
• Use an energetic (but not manic) tone – your voice should convey interest
• Sit up and lean forward slightly – physical engagement shows mental engagement
• Make statements about your interest: “I’m really excited about this opportunity because…”
• Ask questions that show you’re thinking about yourself in the role: “If I were to join the team, what would be my first project?”

Be genuine, though. Fake enthusiasm is obvious and off-putting. If you’re genuinely not excited about the job, maybe it’s not the right fit.

The Communication Mistakes

Mistake #13: Using Poor Grammar or Filler Words Constantly

We all use filler words sometimes (“um,” “like,” “you know”), but excessive use makes you sound unprofessional and uncertain.

Why it kills your chances: Communication skills are critical in almost every job. If you can’t speak clearly and professionally in an interview (when you’re supposedly at your best), how will you communicate with clients, colleagues, or stakeholders?

How to avoid it:

• Slow down when you speak – filler words often happen when we’re rushing
• Pause instead of saying “um” – silence is better than filler
• Practice your answers out loud multiple times
• Record yourself and count how many times you use filler words
• Take a breath between sentences – this naturally reduces fillers

Grammar mistakes to avoid:

• “I seen” instead of “I saw”
• “Me and my team” instead of “My team and I”
• “I done” instead of “I did”
• “Irregardless” (not a word – it’s “regardless”)

Use our AI Interview Trainer – it catches your grammatical mistakes and filler words in real-time, helping you clean up your speech before the actual interview.

Mistake #14: Not Tailoring Your Answers to the Job

Some candidates give the same generic answers regardless of what job they’re interviewing for. This is a huge missed opportunity.

Why it kills your chances: Interviewers can tell when you’re giving canned responses that aren’t specific to their role or company. It makes you seem like you’re mass-applying and don’t really care about this particular position.

How to avoid it: Before the interview:

• Review the job description carefully – highlight the key requirements
• For each requirement, think of a specific example from your experience that demonstrates it
• Research what matters to this company – do they emphasize innovation? Customer service? Teamwork?
• Customize your “tell me about yourself” answer to emphasize the experience most relevant to this role

During the interview:

• Connect your answers to their needs: “You mentioned you’re looking for someone who can manage multiple projects simultaneously. In my current role, I regularly juggle 5-7 projects at once, and I’ve developed a system that…”
• Reference things they’ve told you: “Based on what you said about the team’s challenges with X, my experience with Y would be particularly valuable because…”

Mistake #15: Not Following Up After the Interview

The interview doesn’t end when you walk out the door. What you do (or don’t do) afterward can make or break your chances.

Why it kills your chances: Not sending a thank-you email suggests you’re not that interested or you lack basic professional courtesy. In a tight competition between equally qualified candidates, this could be the tiebreaker.

How to avoid it: Send a thank-you email within 24 hours – not a week later, not the same hour. Within 24 hours is the sweet spot.

Your email should:

• Thank them for their time
• Reference something specific from your conversation (shows you were engaged)
• Reiterate your interest in the role
• Be brief – 3-4 short paragraphs maximum

Template:

Subject: Thank you – [Position Title] Interview

Dear [Name],

Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today to discuss the [Position Title] role. I really enjoyed learning more about [specific project, team dynamic, or company initiative they mentioned].

Our conversation reinforced my interest in this opportunity. I’m particularly excited about [specific aspect of the job they discussed], and I believe my experience with [relevant skill/experience] would allow me to contribute meaningfully to [specific goal they mentioned].

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any additional information. I look forward to hearing about the next steps.

Best regards, [Your name]

Don’t:

• Send a generic thank-you that could be sent to anyone
• Write a novel – keep it concise
• Bring up new information they didn’t ask about
• Be pushy about timing (“When will you decide?”)

The Preparation Mistakes

Mistake #16: Not Preparing Specific Examples

Many candidates prepare by thinking about what they’d say, but they don’t prepare concrete examples. Then, in the interview, they freeze or give vague answers.

Why it kills your chances: Without specific examples, your answers lack credibility. “I’m a great problem solver” means nothing without proof.

How to avoid it: Before every interview, prepare 5-7 solid STAR stories that demonstrate:

• Problem-solving: A challenge you overcame
• Leadership: A time you took initiative or led others
• Teamwork: Successfully collaborating with others
• Conflict resolution: Handling a disagreement professionally
• Learning/adaptability: Picking up a new skill or adapting to change
• Achievement: Your proudest accomplishment
• Failure: A real mistake, and what you learned

Write these out fully. Include specific numbers, names (can be anonymized), timeframes, and results.

Example of a prepared story: “In Q2 of 2024, our team was facing a 25% drop in customer retention. I analyzed our customer feedback data and discovered that 80% of cancellations mentioned slow customer service response times. I proposed implementing a new ticketing system with automated prioritization. I got buy-in from my manager, trained our team of 8 support staff over two weeks, and within three months, our average response time dropped from 24 hours to 4 hours. Customer retention improved by 18%, and we received 40% more positive reviews mentioning our responsiveness.”

This level of detail is what sets you apart.

Mistake #17: Not Practicing Out Loud

Many people prepare by reading interview tips or thinking about their answers. But they never actually speak them out loud until the interview.

Why it kills your chances: Thinking about your answer and saying it out loud are completely different. You might know what you want to say in your head, but stumble over your words when you have to vocalize it.

How to avoid it:

• Record yourself answering common questions on your phone
• Do mock interviews with friends, family, or career counselors
• Practice in front of a mirror so you can see your facial expressions and body language
• Use our AI Interview Trainer – it provides a realistic interview environment where you can practice answering via voice or text and get instant feedback

Practice until your answers flow naturally. Not memorized (you’ll sound robotic), but comfortable and confident.

Mistake #18: Not Preparing for the Salary Question

Eventually, they’ll ask about your salary expectations. If you’re not prepared, you might:

• Price yourself too low (leaving money on the table)
• Price yourself too high (eliminating yourself from consideration)
• Seems uninformed about your market value

Why it kills your chances: How you handle the salary discussion affects both whether you get an offer and how much that offer will be.

How to avoid it: Research beforehand:

• Use sites like Glassdoor, PayScale, and Salary.com to research typical salaries for your role and location
• Consider your experience level – entry level vs. 5+ years makes a big difference
• Factor in the cost of living for the location
• Think about the full compensation package (benefits, bonuses, equity)

In the interview:

• Try to get them to mention numbers first: “I’d love to learn more about the full scope of the role first. What range did you have budgeted for this position?”
• If pressed, give a range rather than a specific number: “Based on my research and experience, I’m looking in the range of $70,000-$85,000, but I’m flexible depending on the full benefits package and growth opportunities.”
• Don’t lie about your current salary – some states have banned this question, and lying can backfire
• Know your walk-away number – what’s the minimum you’d accept?

Never say:

• “I’ll take whatever you’re offering” (undervalues yourself)
• “I don’t know” (seems unprepared)
• An oddly specific number like “$73,542” (seems inflexible)

The Attitude Mistakes

Mistake #19: Being Arrogant or Acting Entitled

Confidence is good. Arrogance is not. There’s a fine line, but interviewers can tell the difference.

Signs you’re coming across as arrogant:

• Talking to the interviewer
• Dismissing their questions as too basic
• Acting like you’re doing them a favor by interviewing
• Name-dropping excessively
• Saying “this will be easy for me” about job responsibilities
• Comparing yourself favorably to their current employees
• Acting like the job is beneath you

Why it kills your chances: No one wants to work with someone arrogant. Cultural fit matters as much as skills, and arrogance suggests you’ll be difficult to work with, won’t take feedback well, and might cause team tension.

How to avoid it:

• Be humble about your achievements – let your examples speak for themselves
• Ask questions and seem genuinely interested in learning about the role
• Give credit to your team when discussing accomplishments: “Our team achieved…” rather than “I single-handedly…”
• Show enthusiasm about learning from them: “I’d love to learn from your team’s expertise in…”
• Balance confidence with humility: “I’m confident I could excel in this role, and I’m also excited about the opportunity to grow in areas like…”

The goal: Come across as confident in your abilities but humble about what you don’t know and eager to learn.

Mistake #20: Not Being Yourself

Some candidates put on a completely different persona in interviews – overly formal, stiff, or trying to be someone they think the interviewer wants.

Why it kills your chances: Authenticity matters. If you’re pretending to be someone you’re not, you’ll either:

• Come across as fake or uncomfortable
• Get hired for a job that doesn’t actually fit who you are
• Struggle to maintain the act if you do get the job

How to avoid it:

• Be professional, but let your personality show – you can be yourself and still be professional
• Share genuine interests when asked about hobbies or what you do outside work
• If you don’t know something, admit it rather than bluffing
• Let your enthusiasm for relevant topics show naturally
• Don’t try to give the “perfect” answer – give the honest one

Remember: They’re not just evaluating if you can do the job – they’re evaluating if you’ll fit with their team. If you’re pretending to be someone else, you might get hired but be miserable.

Mistake #21: Focusing Too Much on What You Want vs. What You Can Offer

Some candidates spend the whole interview talking about what they want from the job – better salary, work-life balance, career growth – without emphasizing what they bring to the table.

Why it kills your chances: Employers are hiring you to solve their problems, not to fulfill your career dreams. While your goals matter, the interview should focus primarily on the value you’ll provide to them.

How to avoid it:

• Frame your interests in terms of mutual benefit: Instead of “I want to learn new skills,” say “I’m excited to contribute to your upcoming mobile app project while also developing my iOS skills.”
• Lead with what you can do for them: “I can help you achieve X” before “This would help me grow in Y”
• When discussing your needs, connect them to performance: “I do my best work in collaborative environments, which is why I’m drawn to your team-based structure.”

Balance is key: Of course, you should consider if the job meets your needs, but the interview should be 80% about them, 20% about you.

The Technical Mistakes

Mistake #22: Not Testing Technology for Video Interviews

In 2025, many interviews will happen over Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet. Technology failures make you look unprepared and unprofessional.

Why it kills your chances: If you’re fumbling with your camera, the microphone isn’t working, or your internet keeps cutting out, the interviewer can’t focus on your qualifications. You’ve lost precious interview time to technical difficulties, and you seem disorganized.

How to avoid it: Test everything 24 hours before AND 15 minutes before:

• Camera: Make sure it works, is positioned at eye level, and you’re well-lit
• Microphone: Test audio quality – use headphones if your built-in mic is bad
• Internet connection: Run a speed test – you need a stable connection, not just fast
• Background: Clean, professional, no distractions
• Lighting: Face a window or lamp – don’t be backlit
• The platform: Open Zoom/Teams/Meet beforehand and make sure it’s updated
• Close other programs: Free up bandwidth and eliminate notification distractions

Have a backup plan:

• Fully charged phone as a backup device
• Phone hotspot if the internet fails
• Interviewer’s phone number in case you need to call

During the call:

• Mute when not speaking if there’s background noise
• Look at the camera, not at your own image
• If tech problems happen, stay calm and apologize briefly: “I apologize for the technical difficulty. Let me quickly fix this.”

Mistake #23: Not Bringing Extra Copies of Your Resume

For in-person interviews, not having your resume on hand is a rookie mistake.

Why it kills your chances: Sometimes, multiple people interview you who don’t have copies. You look unprepared when you can’t provide one. It also shows you didn’t think ahead.

How to avoid it:

• Print 5 copies on nice paper (not regular printer paper – use resume paper)
• Bring them in a clean folder so they don’t get wrinkled
• Bring your list of references as well (typed, not handwritten)
• Have your portfolio or work samples if relevant to your field

The Follow-Up Mistakes

Mistake #24: Being Too Aggressive with Follow-Ups

Following up is good. Following up multiple times or too quickly is bad.

Why it kills your chances: Desperate, pushy follow-ups make you seem:

• Overeager or desperate
• Unable to respect boundaries
• Like you’d be high-maintenance as an employee

How to avoid it:

• Send one thank-you email within 24 hours of the interview
• If they gave you a timeline (“We’ll get back to you in two weeks”), wait until that timeline passes before following up
• If they didn’t give a timeline, wait one week, then send one polite follow-up
• Don’t follow up more than once unless they respond and continue the conversation
• Don’t call repeatedly – one call is okay if you haven’t heard back after two weeks, but leave a message and stop

Appropriate follow-up email (after timeline has passed):

Subject: Following Up – [Position Title]

Hi [Name],

I wanted to follow up on my interview for the [Position Title] role on [date]. I remain very interested in the opportunity and excited about potentially joining your team.

If there’s any additional information I can provide, please let me know. I understand hiring decisions take time, and I appreciate your consideration.

Thank you, [Your name]

Keep it short, professional, and low-pressure.

Mistake #25: Not Learning from Rejections

Getting rejected stings. But the biggest mistake is not using rejections to improve.

Why it matters: If you keep making the same mistakes, you’ll keep getting rejected. Each interview should make you better at the next one.

How to avoid it: After every interview (whether you get the job or not):

• Reflect on what went well – celebrate your wins
• Identify what could have gone better – be honest with yourself
• Write down questions that caught you off guard so you can prepare better next time
• If you got specific feedback in the rejection, take it seriously and work on those areas
• Practice the areas you struggled with – use our AI Interview Trainer to work on specific weak points

Ask for feedback: If you get rejected, it doesn’t hurt to politely ask: “I appreciate you letting me know. Would you be willing to share any feedback on my interview that could help me in future opportunities?” Some won’t respond, but some will give you valuable insights.

How to Practice Avoiding These Mistakes

Reading about mistakes is one thing. Actually avoiding them requires practice.

Here’s how to prepare properly:

1. Do multiple mock interviews. Practice with friends, family, career counselors, or use our AI Interview Trainer. The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll become and the fewer mistakes you’ll make.

2. Record yourself Video yourself answering questions. Watch it back with a critical eye:

• How’s your body language?
• Are you making eye contact?
• Are you rambling or being too brief?
• Are you using filler words?
• Do you seem enthusiastic?

3. Get feedback. Ask people you trust to give you honest feedback on your interview practice. What did you do well? What needs work?

4. Practice with our AI Interview Trainer. It’s specifically designed to help you avoid these common mistakes:

• Gives you personalized questions based on your background
• Provides instant feedback on your answers
• Catches grammatical errors and filler words
• Helps you develop specific, detailed examples
• Scores your responses so you can track improvement
• Let’s you practice as many times as you want, whenever you want

The Bottom Line

Here’s the truth: most interview mistakes are completely avoidable. You don’t lose jobs because you’re unqualified – you lose them because you didn’t prepare enough, you communicated poorly, or you made preventable errors.

The good news? Now you know what those mistakes are. You can’t make an excuse that you didn’t know better.

Before your next interview:

• Research the company thoroughly
• Prepare specific STAR stories
• Practice your answers out loud
• Test your technology if it’s virtual
• Plan your outfit and route
• Prepare questions to ask
• Get a good night’s sleep

During your interview:

• Be 10 minutes early (not late, not too early)
• Make eye contact and show enthusiasm
• Give specific examples, not vague answers
• Stay positive about previous employers
• Ask thoughtful questions
• Be yourself while staying professional
• Listen carefully and answer what’s actually asked

After your interview:

• Send a thank-you email within 24 hours
• Follow up appropriately if you don’t hear back
• Reflect on what went well and what to improve
• Keep applying to other jobs while you wait

Real Stories: How These Mistakes Cost Real People Real Jobs

Let me share some stories from hiring managers I’ve talked to. These are real situations (names changed) that cost candidates jobs they were otherwise qualified for.

Story 1: The Late Arrival

“Sarah was perfect on paper – exactly the experience we needed. But she showed up 20 minutes late to the interview without calling ahead. When she arrived, she was flustered and made excuses about traffic. We’re a client-facing company where punctuality is critical. If she couldn’t manage to be on time for her own interview, how could we trust her with client meetings? We went with someone else.”

The lesson: Build in extra time. If you’re going to be late despite your best efforts, call immediately and apologize.

Story 2: The Unresearched Candidate

“We asked a candidate what he knew about our company. He said ‘You’re in tech, right?’ We’re actually a healthcare company that uses technology. He clearly hadn’t even looked at our website. We spent 15 minutes explaining what we do instead of learning about him. The interview never recovered from that.”

The lesson: Spend at least 30 minutes researching the company before your interview.

Story 3: The Rambler

“I asked a candidate to describe her biggest achievement. Twenty minutes later, she was still talking. She went through her entire career history, mentioned at least 15 different projects, and I honestly forgot what my original question was. I tried to politely interrupt several times, but she kept going. Communication skills are crucial for this role, and she showed she couldn’t communicate concisely.”

The lesson: Keep answers to 2-3 minutes. Use the STAR method to stay organized.

Story 4: The Badmouther

“A candidate spent 10 minutes trashing his previous employer – how they were disorganized, how his boss didn’t know what she was doing, how his coworkers were lazy. Even if it was all true, it was uncomfortable to listen to. I kept thinking, ‘Is this how he’ll talk about us when he leaves?’ Cultural fit is huge for us, and he didn’t pass that test.”

The lesson: Never say anything negative about previous employers. Stay neutral or positive.

Story 5: The Unprepared Techie

“We had a video interview with a software developer. His camera wasn’t working. His audio kept cutting out. His internet disconnected twice. The whole interview was supposed to be 45 minutes, but we spent 20 minutes just dealing with technical issues. For a tech role, this was especially bad – it suggested he wasn’t detail-oriented or couldn’t troubleshoot basic problems. We needed someone who could handle the technical aspects of remote work.”

The lesson: Test your technology multiple times before a video interview.

Story 6: The No-Question Candidate

“At the end of the interview, I asked if he had any questions for us. He said ‘Nope, I’m good!’ with a big smile. That told me he either wasn’t really interested in the job or hadn’t thought deeply about what working here would be like. We want people who are curious and engaged.”

The lesson: Always prepare questions. Not having any suggests disinterest.

Story 7: The Vague Answerer

“Every answer this candidate gave was generic. ‘I’m a hard worker.’ ‘I’m good with people.’ ‘I’m passionate about the field.’ But she never gave a single specific example. We interviewed someone else later that day who said, ‘I increased customer satisfaction scores by 40% by implementing a new feedback system’ – specific, measurable, real. The contrast was stark.”

The lesson: Prepare specific STAR stories with numbers and concrete details.

Story 8: The Phone Checker

“Mid-interview, the candidate’s phone buzzed. He picked it up, looked at it, typed something, and put it back down. Then it happened again 10 minutes later. I lost my train of thought both times. Even if it was urgent, the fact that he didn’t apologize or explain made it seem like he didn’t think it was a big deal. It was.”

The lesson: Turn your phone completely off. If you must have it on for an emergency, explain at the beginning.

Quick Reference: Interview Mistakes Checklist

Use this checklist before every interview to make sure you’re not making these common mistakes:

Before the Interview:

• Researched the company thoroughly (website, social media, news)
• Read and analyzed the job description
• Prepared 5-7 STAR stories with specific examples
• Practiced answers out loud (not just in your head)
• Prepared 8-10 questions to ask them
• Chosen and tested professional outfit
• Planned route/tested technology
• Printed 5 copies of the resume
• Know your salary expectations
• Got a good night’s sleep

Day of Interview:

• Ate a proper meal
• Left with plenty of extra time
• Phone is turned OFF
• Brought all materials (resume, references, portfolio)
• Arrived 10-15 minutes early (not more, not less)
• Checked appearance one last time

During the Interview:

• Made a strong first impression (smile, eye contact, handshake)
• Gave specific examples (not vague answers)
• Kept answers concise (2-3 minutes max)
• Stayed positive about previous employers
• Showed enthusiasm for the role
• Good body language (eye contact, posture, no fidgeting)
• Answered the actual questions asked
• Avoided filler words and grammatical errors
• Asked thoughtful questions at the end
• Thanked them for their time

After Interview:

• Sent thank-you email within 24 hours
• Referenced something specific from the conversation
• Followed up appropriately if no response
• Reflected on what went well and what to improve
• Continued job search (didn’t put all eggs in one basket)

The Most Important Thing to Remember

Here’s what I want you to take away from this article: Interview mistakes are normal, but they’re also preventable.

Everyone gets nervous. Everyone wishes they’d answered a question differently. Everyone has at least one interview story that makes them cringe when they think about it.

But the difference between candidates who get offers and candidates who don’t is usually preparation. The people who get hired aren’t necessarily the most qualified – they’re the ones who:

• Did their homework
• Practiced their answers
• Showed up prepared and professional
• Communicated clearly and specifically
• Followed through with appropriate follow-up

You can be that person.

Your Action Plan

Here’s what to do right now to avoid these mistakes in your next interview:

This week:

1. Sign up for our AI Interview Trainer and do at least 2 practice sessions
2. Write out 5-7 STAR stories from your experience
3. Research companies you’re applying to
4. Practice answering common questions out loud

Before your next interview:

1. Deep research on the specific company (at least 1 hour)
2. Prepare questions tailored to that company
3. Do a full mock interview (45-60 minutes)
4. Test technology or plan a route
5. Get everything ready the night before

During your interview:

1. Breathe and stay calm
2. Be yourself while being professional
3. Give specific examples with every answer
4. Show genuine enthusiasm
5. Listen carefully and answer what’s asked

After your interview:

1. Send a thank-you email within 24 hours
2. Reflect on what went well and what to improve
3. Follow up appropriately
4. Learn from the experience

Why Practice with an AI Interview Trainer Helps You Avoid These Mistakes

Our AI Interview Trainer is specifically designed to help you avoid the most common interview mistakes:

It catches mistakes in real-time:

• Flags grammatical errors as you speak
• Identifies when you’re being too vague
• Notices excessive filler words
• Tells you when answers are too long or too short

It provides specific feedback:

• Scores each answer (e.g., 7/10)
• Explains exactly what to improve
• Shows you what strong answers look like
• Helps you develop better examples

It personalizes to your background:

• Generates questions based on your resume and target role
• Focuses on areas you need to improve
• Adapts difficulty as you get better

It’s available anytime:

• Practice at 2 AM if you’re stressed about tomorrow’s interview
• Do as many sessions as you want
• No scheduling, no judgment, just improvement

You can track your progress:

• Download PDF reports after each session
• See your scores improve over time
• Review your best answers before real interviews

Think of it like this: You wouldn’t perform in a play without rehearsing. You wouldn’t run a marathon without training. So why would you walk into an important interview without practicing?

The candidates who practice are the ones who avoid these costly mistakes. The ones who wing it are the ones who lose opportunities they were qualified for.

Final Thoughts: You’re Not Going to Be Perfect, and That’s Okay

After reading this article, you might feel overwhelmed. That’s a lot of mistakes to avoid!

But here’s the truth: you don’t need a perfect interview to get the job. You just need a good one.

You might stumble over a word. You might give one answer that’s not your best. You might forget to ask one of your prepared questions. That’s human, and interviewers are aware of that.

What they’re looking for is:

• Are you prepared?
• Can you communicate clearly?
• Do you have relevant experience?
• Will you fit with the team?
• Do you genuinely want this job?

If you avoid the major mistakes we’ve covered – showing up late, badmouthing employers, giving vague answers, having no questions, being unprepared – you’re already ahead of most candidates.

The goal isn’t perfection. The goal is preparation.

And now you know exactly what mistakes to avoid and how to avoid them.

You’ve Got This

Interviewing is a skill. Like any skill, you get better with practice. Every interview – whether you get the job or not – makes you better at the next one.

The fact that you read this entire article shows you’re taking this seriously. You’re willing to learn and improve. That mindset alone puts you ahead of candidates who just wing it.

So go prepare. Practice your answers. Research the company. Avoid these common mistakes. And walk into your next interview confident that you’re ready to show them what you’re capable of.

Good luck! And remember – our AI Interview Trainer is here whenever you need to practice. Use it to catch and fix these mistakes before they cost you your next opportunity.

Now get out there and nail that interview. You’ve got this.

Ready to practice and avoid these mistakes? Try our AI Interview Trainer today. Get personalized questions, instant feedback on your answers, grammar corrections, and detailed reports to track your improvement. Practice until you’re confident, then enter your interview prepared to succeed.