The interview is often the final major hurdle between a candidate and their dream job. The result of it has a huge impact on your chances of success. It might come as a surprise, but when it comes to interviewing, we often hear of people making the same mistakes. We always coach our candidates on interview questions and techniques before they meet their potential employers. So, to give you the best chance of success for your science and medical job interview, whether it be in person or via video call, we’ve put together our top tips on how to avoid common interview mistakes and what the key dos and don’ts are during an interview.

Turning Up Unprepared

A lack of preparation quickly becomes obvious to interviewers and could potentially kill your chances of success early on. There is no way around it; you need to put in the effort and do your homework. Start with researching the company and interviewers. Coming across as knowledgeable in the interview will indicate to your interviewers that you are taking it seriously and most information you’ll need is readily available on the company website and social media. Find out what they do and what their products and services are. Who are the key people in the organisation? Any other news or interesting information?

Analyse the job description and prepare answers to standard job interview questions. Outside of that, the basics are still the most important. Look the part, have everything you need with you, and be on time. Being late is unprofessional and a deal breaker for many employers so if possible, try to do a test run prior to the interview at the approximate time that it would be set and plan your trip accordingly.

Negative Body Language

Body language generally has a big impact on how candidates are perceived, especially during an interview. Working hand in hand with the answers provided throughout, it helps you to come across confidently. However, the key to positive body language isn’t simply a firm handshake and good eye contact (although it’s a great place to start to help project confidence).

Remember your posture; slouching often conveys a lack of energy, so sitting straight is important. Leaning forward slightly and nodding your head are both good habits that show you are listening attentively and are interested in what the interviewer is saying.

If you tend to fidget, try to keep this in check, as it can convey nervousness and you may even be doing it without even noticing. Hand gestures can also be used to help bring nerves under control and make your point but use them sparingly to avoid distractions.

Don’t forget to smile; it can make all the difference! Smiling is a natural part of any conversation and allows you to come across as warm and friendly, something that your interviewer will recognise instantly.

Talking Too Much

When you’re talking about your career, or giving an example from a previous role, it can be easy to get side-tracked and end up talking about something potentially unrelated. To counteract that, try to keep your responses succinct and to the point where you can. Thinking of a few examples and anecdotes in advance, and practicing them, can help prevent rambling and avoid you coming across as underprepared.

Not Taking Accountability

Avoid the trap of showing previous managers and colleagues in a bad light. Candidates should do what they can to convince potential employers that they can work well with other people and handle conflicts in a mature way. The way you frame interactions with previous colleagues in a positive light, it reflects on you. Many employers will ask about failures as much as your successes, and it’s important not to shift the blame onto others as this displays a lack of accountability. Finally, if asked about your reasons for leaving, put a positive spin on it if necessary. Bitterness is a bad look for everybody and will only make it look like you’re the problem.

Not Asking Questions

When the interviewer inevitably asks if you have any questions, remember that it’s not just out of politeness! Not having any questions after the interview can indicate that you have little interest in the role. This is the perfect opportunity to ask questions that occurred to you during your pre-interview research or during the interview. For example, gaining more detail on the specific day-to-day responsibilities of the position, or an insight into the company and its culture. Not only does this show genuine interest, but it will also allow you to better understand what you’re getting involved with. If something catches your ear in the interview, take a mental (or physical) note and come back to it later.

Summary

While heading into an interview can be incredibly daunting, being prepared and knowing how to avoid these common mistakes will give you the best chance to leave a positive impression.

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