Common reasons for failure
A recent survey found that the following were the most common reasons for candidates not succeeding at interview:
- Poor appearance and presentation
- Overbearing or aggressive attitude
- No interest or enthusiasm evident
- Inability to express ideas clearly, poor voice, dictation, grammar
- Over emphasis on money
- Unwillingness to start at bottom, wanting too much too soon
- Criticism of current or previous employer
- Failure to ask questions about the Company or role
- Little or no background homework done on Company or role
- Failure to look the interviewer in the eye
- No vitality, few signs of life
- Not being able to explain why they are leaving their current employer
- Not being able to explain their current role clearly
Our top tips
- Ask to meet other members of the team you could be working with
- Ask to see where you will be working and show an interest in it.
- Always ask at the end of the meeting if the interviewer has any reservations
- Phone your recruiter as soon as you leave the meeting so they can tackle any issues sooner rather than later
- Always send a thank you note or email