Job interviews are perhaps one of life’s more stressful necessities. However, while they can feel like a high-stakes performance, they’re also a chance for you to
show the value and impact you can bring to an organisation.
As someone who has been on both sides of the interview table, I’ve seen prepared and curious
candidates thrive. I’ve also seen others miss out because they haven’t quite read the room.
Ahead, find some of the most common mistakes I see people making when interviewing for a
role. The good news is that they’re all avoidable—it just takes time and practice to get things
right.
job interview mistakes—and how to avoid them...
Walking in unprepared
One of the biggest red flags in any job interview is a lack of research.
Showing up without having reviewed a company’s website or LinkedIn profile (plus individual
team members’ LinkedIn profiles), signals a lack of genuine interest.
Especially in an agency setting, I expect candidates to know who TAG is, what we do and ask
thoughtful questions like, “what does success look like for someone in this role?”
Before any interview, spend at least an hour familiarising yourself with the organisation’s
mission, recent work and values. Leverage LinkedIn to understand your interviewers’ roles. Doing this shows initiative and will help you build rapport.
Overlooking the power of questions
Interviews are a two-way street. If you’re not asking questions, it can seem like you’re not
interested or engaged. Even worse, you may miss out on critical information about the role you’re applying for, the company culture or any challenges you could face.
A simple step is to think of three to five questions in advance. Consider asking:
- What are the biggest challenges your team is currently facing?
- How do you measure success for someone in this position?
- What retention strategies do you have in place for your staff and clients?
By taking the time to ask thoughtful questions, you’ll show how invested you are in the opportunity at hand, while also getting a better sense of whether it’s right for you. If you never ask, you’ll never know!
Focusing only on management
It’s a common misconception that leadership and management are interchangeable. In fact, I
see many candidates mistakenly equate their value with whether they’ve managed a team.
Leadership is far more important than managerial roles. Leadership means taking initiative, problem-solving and influencing others. These are qualities anyone can demonstrate, regardless of their title.
Instead of focusing on whether you have management experience, emphasise examples of leadership in any previous roles you’ve held, like how you rallied a team around a challenging project or worked to overcome a significant problem.
Remember, leadership comes first, management comes second.
Underselling yourself
While modesty can be an admirable trait, an interview is not the time to downplay your achievements or be overly humble. Employers want to hear about your successes and how you’ve added value to previous roles.
Practice reframing your accomplishments with confidence. Use the STAR method—situation, task, action and result—to clearly and succinctly explain your contributions. Let’s break it down.
Situation: Your team was falling behind on deadlines
Task: You identified bottlenecks in your team’s workflow
Action: You created a streamlined process using project management tools
Result: Deadlines were met 20% faster, boosting client satisfaction
This format will keep you from rambling and instead, help you share your impact.
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Failing to connect with an interviewer
In the pursuit of professionalism, some candidates forget that interviews are fundamentally about human connection.
Coming across as overly rehearsed or stiff can make it difficult for an interviewer to envision working with you.
Don’t be afraid to be personable and authentic. Smile, make eye contact and show enthusiasm! A simple comment like, “I loved your work with Nala, it’s exactly the kind of creative campaign I’d like to work on,” can make a big difference in building rapport.
Not addressing red flags
If there’s something in your resume that could raise eyebrows, like a gap in employment or a short stint at a previous job, don’t assume an interviewer will overlook it. By avoiding these subjects, you may leave an interviewer uncertain, or even worse, allow them to jump to conclusions.
Proactively address potential concerns head-on, with honesty and a positive spin. If you didn’t work for six months, for example, you can share what you did to upskill during this time: “You’ll see I took six months off, which I used to upskill and complete a digital marketing course. Now I’m really to apply what I’ve learnt, which is why I’m here!”
Forgetting to follow up
So, you’ve aced the interview—congratulations! The process isn’t over just yet.
Neglecting to follow up with a thank-you note is a missed opportunity to leave a lasting impression. Send a personalised email within 24 hours of any interview. Thank the interviewer
for their time, reiterate your excitement about the role and mention something specific you
discussed during the conversation (it shows you listened)!
Interviews aren’t just about impressing an employer; they’re about finding the right fit for you too. By implementing these best practices, you’ll increase your chances of landing a job and canalso feel confident knowing you put your best self forward.
Remember, you’ve got this!
