Contact Us | 01243 511333

Top 10 things not to do in a job interview

photo shows dismayed candidate who hasnt had much luck in her career

We've been asking local employers for tips on what to do in an interview – and, of course, what not to do! Here are our top 10 not to do in that all-important job interview.

1. Don't go in unprepared

No matter how busy you are in the run up to the interview, don't cut corners on your research. It's vital that you go into any interview with as much knowledge as possible about the company, your employer and your potential new role. It will be obvious to the interviewer if you're badly prepared, so make full use of the internet and social networks such as LinkedIn well in advance, and know exactly who you're dealing with. Take time to assess the industry, too, so you're fully aware of the competition and where your company stands in its market.

2. Don't be late

There are no two ways about it: if you're late, unless you've rearranged this in advance, you're putting yourself at a disadvantage before you begin. Leave bags of time. Equally, if you're hours early, don't spend all of that time sat waiting in the company's reception...

3. Don't go casual

Even in a relaxed company, the interview is the time to make an excellent first impression. Professional attire is the normal dress code, or if it's the kind of interview where a suit would look odd, ensure you're extremely well-presented. That goes for the materials you take with you, too – prepare extra copies of your CV and references, and make sure any folders are smart – leave that One Direction stationery at home.

4. Don't give the wrong impression

Avoiding eye contact, slumping or having a weak, sweaty handshake are all big no-nos. It's common sense, really – you need to strike the interviewer as confident and capable, so walk tall, greet the interviewer with a smile and a firm (but not crushing) handshake, meet their eyes and sit in a positive stance, without fidgeting. If you're prone to nerves, take a few deep breaths before you go in, and talk yourself into a more comfortable state of mind (not out loud).

5. Don't be negative

Normally, it's good to tell the truth. But if the truth is that you're looking for a new job because you hate everyone in your current employment and the mere sight of your boss makes you want to harm someone, keep it to yourself. Even if you have justified grounds for thinking the management needs a restructure, or you want to emphasise the difference between your old company and the new one, being negative is a surefire way to turn your interviewer off. Focus on the positives, and continue to make a winning impression.

6. Don't rush

Think before you speak. It's preferable to admit that you need time on a question, or that you don't know something, rather than rambling off at a tangent or trying to 'blag' an answer and coming across as vague or cliched. You probably do have a great answer, the key thing is to arrive at it in a calm, measured fashion! Equally, if you know you're likely to freeze, practise some standard answers beforehand, so you have a framework to fall back on if you struggle to think under pressure.

7. Don't be caught out by your own CV

Know that CV like the back of your hand, and be prepared to answer questions on all aspects of it. If there is something you know you won't want to dwell on, like any gaps, or jobs you're not proud of, think about how you can turn things into positives so you won't be daunted or flustered if they do come up.

8. Don't treat it like a social occasion

No matter how confident you feel about your interview success, don't slip into an unprofessional, over-friendly, or – heaven forbid – flirty, tone. Remember why you're there, and don't presume that you'll be the chosen candidate. Concentrate on demonstrating that you'll be an asset to the company. It's also important not to overshare. The interviewer may have to see several people in a row and they won't have time to hear your entire life story. It's not the X-Factor, after all…

9. Don't take a back seat

No-one wants to employ a wet lettuce. If you're qualified for the job and you're interested in the job, show it by getting involved in the interview. Plan intelligent questions in advance and remember that it should be a two-way process – be inquisitive about the role that you're trying to get. You should be paying attention to everything the interviewer says and reacting to it, so it's very much a dialogue, rather than a monologue from either side.

10. Don't relax (too much)

Some employers recommend ending the interview by telling the interviewer how much you want the job and concluding that you think you would be a good fit – it may give them the opportunity to give you some insight as to their thought process, too. Either way, once it's over, don't relax. It's become normal to follow up with a brief email, thanking the interviewer for their time and reiterating your interest in the role. It shows you really want it. Just don't make it a begging letter


  Please share this article with your friends on Facebook - thank you.


Much of the advice on our website has been kindly provided by local companies and organisations for which we are very grateful - could you offer some advice to our visitors in return for some free coverage on our website? If so please get in touch here as we'd love to hear from you.

Careers Advice

We work with experts in and around our local area to provide useful information relating to careers advice - we hope you will find these articles to be helpful. You can view our news news archive here


photo shows man in a suit jumping in the air celebrating getting his new job

Dealing with Redundancy - Part 5 - Finding a New Job

Once your redundancy is dealt with and any retraining has been undertaken you will probably need to find a new job. This can seem daunting, particularly if you have not had to look for a new

read more
photo shows close of up a man's feet on a tightrope high above office buildings

Redundancy - Advice for Employers and Businesses

When we hear the word 'redundancy' it is natural to think of the impact that it will have on the person being made redundant with out regard for the difficulties inflicted upon the employer

read more
photo shows a blue piggy bank wearning glasses - he is providing financial advice to people facing redundancy

Dealing with Redundancy - Part 2 - Financial Advice

Do you know the tax implications of receiving a redundancy package and how to avoid paying unnecessary tax? If you are going to find yourself struggling financially do you know how to lessen

read more
photo shows positive image of a surfer - surfing life's trials and tribulations such as redundancy

Dealing with Redundancy - Part 1 - Knowing Your Rights

Do you know what redundancy package you are likely to receive? Do you know what the government stipulated minimum package is? As well as detailing the legal and financial aspects we will

read more
photo shows small plant overcoming advertisty and growing through a crack in hard ground

Dealing with Redundancy - Part 3 - Psychological Impact

Do you feel like you’ve lost your identity and can’t stop feeling negative? It is not only the practicalities of redundancy that need to be addressed. Redundancy can also have a massive

read more
photo shows dismayed candidate who hasnt had much luck in her career

Top 10 things not to do in a job interview

We've been asking local employers for tips on what to do in an interview – and, of course, what not to do! Here are our top 10 not to do in that all-important job interview.

read more
photo shows woman leaping whilst holding flowing coloured streamers out behind her - to give the impression of moving forwards through re training after being made redundant

Dealing with Redundancy - Part 4 - Retraining and Development

Have you thought about a new career or improving upon the skills you currently have? In this article we will offers tips and advice on increasing your 'employability' through courses and

read more
photo shows ladder reaching up to the sky - the career ladder

10 Steps to Creating Career Opportunities

It's too easy to start looking in the job section of the paper and applying for everything that has an attractive salary, car or any other perks, before falling into this trap, be really

read more

Eastbourne Employment & Business News

When attending interviews it's always good to be up to date with what's happening in the local business and employment sector - we hope you'll find these selected news articles interesting


Tips for understanding the job application process

<font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="2">With so many job seekers applying for any one job in today's economic climate, it's good to have an understanding of what happens to your application once you've pressed the 'send' button.</font></font> ..read more

Eastbourne council approves plans for an updated lifeboat station

Plans to build a brand new lifeboat station in Eastbourne have been approved by the council this week. The aim is to merge two existing stations into one, to be based at Sovereign Harbour.  ..read more

Campaign for Eastbourne pier arcade to be named in honour of a man who died whilst restoring it

Eastbourne locals have launched a petition to name a part of the iconic Eastbourne pier in honour of a man who fell to death whilst restoring it after the latest fire. The incident happened back in August 2014. ..read more

New Aldi Store to Open Creating Jobs in Eastbourne

German owned supermarket Aldi has revealed plans to open a new store in Eastbourne. The chain has written to local residents to gage an idea of their thoughts surrounding the opening of a new store. Aldi plan to invest a large ..read more

Eastbourne locals offered free education classes to improve job prospects

Back in September 2013, adults in Eastbourne were offered the chance to take part in free educational classes, including English and Maths, in a bid to improve their skills and better their job prospects. The classes cost ..read more


Launch of National Citizen Scheme in Eastbourne

Tax centre jobs under threat in Eastbourne

Part time Jobs in Eastbourne

Nursing jobs in Eastbourne

What not to do in your Eastbourne job interview

Top 4 questions asked at job interviews for Eastbourne job seekers

Interview Tips to help you get that perfect job in Eastbourne

The Recruitment Process to Fill your Eastbourne Job

Jobs in East Sussex

How can you find the right Eastbourne job for you?

What is different about looking for jobs today in Eastbourne compared to 10 years ago

Christmas Jobs in Eastbourne

Eastbourne Job Centre

Covering Letter hints and tips for when applying for jobs in Eastbourne

Looking for a second job in Eastbourne?

Eastbourne College / University of Brighton

Public Sector jobs in Eastbourne

Information on local newspapers covering Eastbourne

Recruitment in Eastbourne

Example CV for people applying for jobs in Eastbourne

CV Tips for landing that perfect job in Eastbourne

Recruitment advertising in Eastbourne for Direct Employers

The image shows a man pushing the missing jigsaw piece into the last space in the jigsaw, reflecting the idea of the recruiter finding the perfect candidate for the job they have been advertising.

Identifying A Good Recruiter

John G E Frye discusses the stigma attached to recruitment agencies, how to find a good recruiter, and the upside of using a recruiter to help in your job search.

read more
Legal Disclaimer: Please note that this information is not intended to be exhaustive or be a substitute for legal advice. The application of the law in this area will often depend upon the specific facts and you are advised to seek specific advice on any given scenario.