by: Mia Andrews | Recruiter
Imagine walking into a room to interview a potential new hire for a professional position and the candidate is wearing flip-flops and a t-shirt…imagine the conclusions you would jump to regarding this candidate’s level of professionalism!
According to a recent survey by Careerbuilder.com, more than half of all hiring managers cited dressing inappropriately as the biggest mistake a candidate can make in an interview. At Integra, we always stress to candidates to “dress to impress” for interviews and to avoid chewing gum and wearing powerful scents.
Nearly half of the managers also cited speaking negatively of a past employer as another big no-no in an interview. When speaking of past employers, it is best to emphasis the work experience and skill set developed while on the job. If there were aspects of a previous position that a candidate did not enjoy, it is possible to put a positive spin on the situation by focusing on the environment or job function that the candidate will thrive in. Avoid bad-mouthing past companies or managers at all costs as no prospective employer wants to bring a negative attitude through their doors.
Above all, be prepared! Candidates that are easily frazzled and can’t give specific answers to questions generally send interviewers a red flag. Expressing interest in the position and the company while maintaining a professional demeanor is the key to a successful interview!
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