You’ve found the job, made an application and been invited for an interview. What happens next will see you celebrating your success or trying to find out what you did wrong. Here are some of the most common mistakes people make in job interviews and how you can avoid them.

Not knowing enough about the company
One of the key questions an interviewer will probably ask is what you know about the organization (0). Before going to a job interview you can learn about a company by visiting their website, investigating their social media, or reading their annual report. Glassdoor.com is a great resource for researching a business, its culture and the experiences of candidates who have been interviewed previously. If it’s possible to visit the company as a customer,  Cloze (1): while you’re waitingdon’t forget to ask questionsan important examthis can be a good waya few moments to analyzeas much as possible aboutto talk about the knowledgedon’t talk about your old boss until you can answer themwhy you are the right person for ita general conversationusing positive mental images JXUwMDJjJXUwMDFjJXUwMDAxJXUwMDFhJXUwMDUzJXUwMDQzJXUwMDAyJXUwMDBmJXUwMDRlJXUwMDQyJXUwMDA3JXUwMDQ1JXUwMDQxJXUwMDQxJXUwMDQ3JXUwMDA4JXUwMDAwJXUwMDBiJXUwMDQ0JXUwMDU3JXUwMDE2JXUwMDE4 (1) to experience first-hand what they offer and understand how they work.

Not understanding the job position
An interviewer might ask you what you know about the job you have applied for. You should be able to describe the purpose of the role and explain Cloze (2): while you’re waitingdon’t forget to ask questionsan important examthis can be a good waya few moments to analyzeas much as possible aboutto talk about the knowledgedon’t talk about your old boss until you can answer themwhy you are the right person for ita general conversationusing positive mental images JXUwMDJmJXUwMDFmJXUwMDExJXUwMDU5JXUwMDU5JXUwMDE2JXUwMDFhJXUwMDU1JXUwMDQxJXUwMDEzJXUwMDE3JXUwMDQ1JXUwMDU0JXUwMDFjJXUwMDBkJXUwMDQ1JXUwMDUyJXUwMDFiJXUwMDBlJXUwMDBmJXUwMDFjJXUwMDU0JXUwMDUwJXUwMDE1JXUwMDE3JXUwMDAxJXUwMDFjJXUwMDAxJXUwMDRlJXUwMDQ2JXUwMDA5JXUwMDFkJXUwMDUyJXUwMDQ5JXUwMDFk (2). You can learn about the role from the job advertisement, the job description, and by looking at the LinkedIn profile of the person in that position now. If you have the opportunity, Cloze (3): while you’re waitingdon’t forget to ask questionsan important examthis can be a good waya few moments to analyzeas much as possible aboutto talk about the knowledgedon’t talk about your old boss until you can answer themwhy you are the right person for ita general conversationusing positive mental images JXUwMDNjJXUwMDBiJXUwMDAxJXUyMDc3JXUyMDZkJXUwMDU0JXUwMDQ2JXUwMDA5JXUwMDFkJXUwMDE1JXUwMDAyJXUwMDExJXUwMDU0JXUwMDU0JXUwMDFiJXUwMDRmJXUwMDQxJXUwMDEyJXUwMDE4JXUwMDRiJXUwMDUxJXUwMDA0JXUwMDEwJXUwMDE2JXUwMDA3JXUwMDFkJXUwMDA2JXUwMDAxJXUwMDFk (3) to find out as much as possible about the organization and the role.

Talking about what you can’t do
Probably you won’t have all the job requirements. Instead of admitting this, a better strategy is to focus on what you’ve learned and the experience you have. For example, many candidates begin by answering a question related to a job requirement by saying: “I don’t have experience in that area, but I have used these skills on other occasions”.
A better way of answering the question would be Cloze (4): while you’re waitingdon’t forget to ask questionsan important examthis can be a good waya few moments to analyzeas much as possible aboutto talk about the knowledgedon’t talk about your old boss until you can answer themwhy you are the right person for ita general conversationusing positive mental images JXUwMDJjJXUwMDFiJXUwMDRmJXUwMDU0JXUwMDE1JXUwMDBkJXUwMDA3JXUwMDRiJXUwMDQxJXUwMDAzJXUwMDBkJXUwMDFhJXUwMDAxJXUwMDU0JXUwMDU0JXUwMDFjJXUwMDBkJXUwMDQ1JXUwMDRiJXUwMDA1JXUwMDAxJXUwMDE4JXUwMDFiJXUwMDA5JXUwMDAxJXUwMDAzJXUwMDAy (4) you have. Think positive rather than negative. Remember that no one will be the perfect candidate, and the other interviewees will probably have similar skills and experience to your own.

Losing control
Let’s face it, interviews are not the most natural form of human interaction and it’s easy to get very nervous. The best way to reduce interview anxiety is to dedicate plenty of time to reading Cloze (5): while you’re waitingdon’t forget to ask questionsan important examthis can be a good waya few moments to analyzeas much as possible aboutto talk about the knowledgedon’t talk about your old boss until you can answer themwhy you are the right person for ita general conversationusing positive mental images JXUwMDM5JXUwMDEyJXUwMDUzJXUwMDRkJXUwMDE4JXUwMDE2JXUwMDBiJXUwMDQ4JXUwMDQxJXUwMDEyJXUwMDUzJXUwMDUwJXUwMDFmJXUwMDFjJXUwMDAwJXUwMDFhJXUwMDBiJXUwMDBlJXUwMDA5JXUwMDQ1JXUwMDQxJXUwMDAzJXUwMDBkJXUwMDFhJXUwMDAx (5) the company, the role and considering potential questions you may deal with.
Another tip to help you calm down is controlling your physiological state. Breathing techniques are a powerful way to bring you back to the moment, and to stop negative thoughts. Try taking a series of calming breaths Cloze (6): while you’re waitingdon’t forget to ask questionsan important examthis can be a good waya few moments to analyzeas much as possible aboutto talk about the knowledgedon’t talk about your old boss until you can answer themwhy you are the right person for ita general conversationusing positive mental images JXUwMDJmJXUwMDFmJXUwMDAxJXUwMDA1JXUwMDA5JXUwMDQ1JXUwMDU5JXUwMDE2JXUwMDFhJXUyMDZjJXUyMDZiJXUwMDE3JXUwMDQ1JXUwMDU3JXUwMDE2JXUwMDA4JXUwMDFkJXUwMDFkJXUwMDA3JXUwMDA5 (6)  to go into the interview. Simply breathe in through your nose while you count to six, and then continue counting to 10 while you breathe out gently through your mouth. This will bring the oxygen back to your brain and help you to think clearly. Three deep breaths should see you feeling calmer, centred and in control.
Instead of sabotaging your interview by telling yourself how inadequate your performance will be or how you have no chance of beating your competitors, research has proven that Cloze (7): while you’re waitingdon’t forget to ask questionsan important examthis can be a good waya few moments to analyzeas much as possible aboutto talk about the knowledgedon’t talk about your old boss until you can answer themwhy you are the right person for ita general conversationusing positive mental images JXUwMDJkJXUwMDA2JXUwMDFhJXUwMDA3JXUwMDA5JXUwMDQ3JXUwMDUwJXUwMDFmJXUwMDFjJXUwMDFhJXUwMDFkJXUwMDFkJXUwMDFmJXUwMDEzJXUwMDQ1JXUwMDRkJXUwMDA4JXUwMDBiJXUwMDFhJXUwMDE1JXUwMDBkJXUwMDRjJXUwMDQ5JXUwMDA0JXUwMDBjJXUwMDA2JXUwMDAyJXUwMDE2 (7) can increase success. So picture yourself having an enjoyable, positive conversation with your interviewer before you start.

Talking too fast
One of the biggest challenges you will face is how to answer your interview questions briefly and calmly. This is particularly difficult if you are feeling nervous.
To control your nerves and avoid talking too fast, try imagining the interview as Cloze (8): while you’re waitingdon’t forget to ask questionsan important examthis can be a good waya few moments to analyzeas much as possible aboutto talk about the knowledgedon’t talk about your old boss until you can answer themwhy you are the right person for ita general conversationusing positive mental images JXUwMDM5JXUwMDQxJXUwMDQ3JXUwMDAyJXUwMDBiJXUwMDBiJXUwMDE3JXUwMDEzJXUwMDBkJXUwMDRjJXUwMDQzJXUwMDBjJXUwMDAxJXUwMDE4JXUwMDEzJXUwMDE3JXUwMDAxJXUwMDEyJXUwMDE1JXUwMDFkJXUwMDA2JXUwMDAx (8) , which is less frightening. Listen carefully to the questions being asked and don’t be afraid to ask for a question to be repeated or for further clarification. It’s better to answer the question effectively than answer incorrectly. Once you have understood the question, allow yourself Cloze (9): while you’re waitingdon’t forget to ask questionsan important examthis can be a good waya few moments to analyzeas much as possible aboutto talk about the knowledgedon’t talk about your old boss until you can answer themwhy you are the right person for ita general conversationusing positive mental images JXUwMDM5JXUwMDQxJXUwMDQ2JXUwMDAzJXUwMDEyJXUwMDU3JXUwMDRkJXUwMDAyJXUwMDAyJXUwMDA4JXUwMDBiJXUwMDFhJXUwMDA3JXUwMDUzJXUwMDU0JXUwMDFiJXUwMDRmJXUwMDQxJXUwMDBmJXUwMDBmJXUwMDBkJXUwMDE1JXUwMDAzJXUwMDFm (9) your response.

Not preparing yourself
It is helpful to spend some time ahead of the interview practising some of the questions you anticipate they will ask you. Look at the requirements (in the job advertisement and job description) and develop 10–15 possible questions the interviewer might ask you. You should also think about your responses to common interview questions like “Tell me about yourself”, “What are your strong points/ weak points?” and “Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?” Practise your responses with a family member, friend or in front of the mirror Cloze (10): while you’re waitingdon’t forget to ask questionsan important examthis can be a good waya few moments to analyzeas much as possible aboutto talk about the knowledgedon’t talk about your old boss until you can answer themwhy you are the right person for ita general conversationusing positive mental images JXUwMDJkJXUwMDFiJXUwMDFhJXUwMDFkJXUwMDA1JXUwMDRjJXUwMDU5JXUwMDE2JXUwMDFhJXUwMDU1JXUwMDQzJXUwMDAyJXUwMDBmJXUwMDRlJXUwMDQxJXUwMDBmJXUwMDFkJXUwMDA0JXUwMDEyJXUwMDE3JXUwMDUyJXUwMDU0JXUwMDFjJXUwMDBkJXUwMDA4 (10) without any doubts.

Adapted from The Guardian