14 Common Polite Habits That Secretly Annoy Job Interviewers
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Job interviews can be nerve-wracking, but good manners and politeness are vital to making a positive impression. The average success rate is 20%, translating to only 1 in 5 candidates being offered a job after an interview.
However, even well-intentioned behaviors can rub interviewers the wrong way. Here are 14 polite habits that might secretly annoy your interviewers and what to do instead.
Not Asking Any Questions
Asking thoughtful questions demonstrates your interest in the company and the position. However, asking too many or irrelevant questions can make you seem unprepared or disinterested. Instead, research the company beforehand and ask a few well-thought-out questions that show your knowledge and curiosity about the role.
A communication specialist, Neha Sangwan, told Reader’s Digest that “failure to ask questions shows lack of engagement and can be interpreted as not taking the opportunity seriously.” He argues that someone truly interested would likely ask several people the same question and compare their answers.
Using “We” Instead of “Me”
When discussing your achievements or experiences, it’s natural to use “we” when referring to a team effort. Nevertheless, the focus should be on you and your contributions in an interview.
Instead of saying, “We completed this project successfully,” say, “I played a crucial role in completing this project successfully.” This will help showcase your abilities and strengths as an individual.
Wearing Overly Formal Business Attire
Dressing professionally for an interview is important, but wearing overly formal or outdated business attire can make you seem out of touch with current trends. Instead, research the company’s dress code and choose an outfit that reflects its culture while still looking polished and put together.
Wearing business casual clothing could be a safe bet in such a situation.
Overpreparing
Preparation is important as it shows one’s work ethic and commitment, but overpreparing can make the answers sound mechanized, removing your personality from the process. This is a major turnoff to employers. For example, familiarizing oneself with the company’s website is essential, but reciting it verbatim shows you are only good at memorizing and maybe not so skilled.
Instead, setting up a mock interview at home may help you build the confidence to say these things in an actual interview and figure out other discussion points to personalize your conversation with the interviewer.
Not Pointing Out A Mistake
During the interview, the interviewer may say something erroneous about your background, such as mentioning your college incorrectly. Clarifying the mistake immediately in a friendly and discreet manner shows your confidence and how you might deal with an issue in a workplace scenario.
Being Transparent About Other Possibilities
In a job interview, showing interest in the role and company is important. However, being too transparent about other opportunities you are pursuing can make you seem less committed to the position.
Instead, highlight why this particular role interests you and how you see yourself contributing to the company’s success.
Over-Explaining Why You’re Late
Being late happens, but when candidates launch into a long-winded explanation filled with apologies, it only drags out the awkwardness. A brief, sincere apology is enough—no need to overshare the details.
Sending A Thank You Note Immediately
Sending a thank you note or email after an interview is polite and can help reinforce your interest in the position. Nevertheless, sending it immediately after the interview can come across as insincere. Instead, take some time to reflect on the conversation and personalize your message before sending it.
Akhila Satish, a professional career expert, recommends sending the thank you email the next day, possibly followed by supplemental information such as a personal website.
Avoiding Eye Contact Out of ‘Respect’
Some individuals may avoid making direct eye contact during an interview as a sign of respect. However, this can come across as disinterest or lack of confidence.
Instead, maintain natural and appropriate eye contact throughout the conversation to show your engagement and interest in the discussion.
Ending The Interview Early To Save Them Time
Being mindful of your interviewer’s time is courteous, but abruptly ending the conversation may convey disinterest or disrespect. For the closing remarks, bring the conversation to a natural conclusion by summarizing what you’ve heard.
Consider sharing the unique aspects of the company culture that caught your interest. Seize the opportunity, ask any lingering questions, and express gratitude for their time and consideration.
Being Overly Formal
Manners are important, but being overly formal can make you seem uptight and unrelatable. Avoid using excessive titles or formal language unless necessary for a specific job or industry. Kelly Donovan, the owner of Kelly Donovan and Associates, a job search company, says it’s harder to connect to candidates when they are overly formal.
Thus, it becomes difficult to build trust and analyze whether they match the company’s culture. Instead, he recommends mirroring the interviewer’s behavior to reduce the friction in communication. For example, saying “Mr./Mrs. [Last Name]” instead of just using their first name can create a distance between you and the interviewer.
Only Asking Important Questions at The End of The Interview
“Letting the interviewer drive the conversation and only asking the questions at the end may leave the interviewer with a negative perspective about you,” says Kelsea Warren, a workplace well-being coach and consultant. Instead, making the interview more of a conversation allows you to assure your prospective employers that you are the best fit for the job.
Smiling Too Much
A friendly smile can be a great asset during an interview, as it helps create a warm and welcoming atmosphere, but forcing a smile throughout the interview can come off as inauthentic or even awkward, which may undermine your credibility.
Being serious when discussing important topics or responding to challenging questions is completely acceptable. Balancing genuine smiles with earnest expressions reflects your ability to engage thoughtfully with the conversation while conveying your personality.
Agreeing With Everything
Nodding in agreement with every statement or viewpoint during an interview might seem safe and diplomatic, but it can be insincere. This behavior may lead the interviewer to perceive you as simply echoing their thoughts rather than genuinely engaging in a meaningful exchange of ideas.
Instead, it’s important to balance showing understanding and sharing your perspective. You demonstrate critical thinking and authenticity by articulating your thoughts and providing thoughtful insights, which can leave a lasting impression.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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