10 Job Interview Traps You Should Avoid Falling Into

Writing a great resume is only step 1 in your effort to get a job and after that it’s only a matter of being well-prepared. The reason many people fail at their job interviews is because they haven’t done good enough research about the company and the potential job. Also, trying to impress them by lying can look like the easy solution, but recruiters might notice it. That’s why you should try to be as truthful as possible, even if it means that you expose your negatives.

1. Why you should ask questions at the end of the interview.

It would be perfect if you get prepared for it and decide what you are going to ask the recruiter about. Don’t ask questions about things you can easily find the answers to in the description of the vacancy or on the company’s website. At the same time, the absence of questions can alert the recruiter.

For example, you could try to find out why the previous employee who was in this position left — it will help you to kill 2 birds with 1 stone: you’ll demonstrate the presence of analytical skills and will be able to avoid the mistakes of your predecessor when you start work.

2. What to do if your boss drops their pen on the floor.

Another test that can help the employer to spot responsive and benevolent candidates is to drop a pen and watch the applicant’s reaction. If the candidate instinctively bends down and picks the pen up, it’s likely that they’ll be hired for the job. If the applicant lets the interviewer do it, it’s likely that they won’t.

3. How to answer to the lottery question.

One of the interviewer’s most important tasks at an interview is understanding a job seeker’s motivation. Like whether you’ll continue to work if you win money. If you wouldn’t, then you want to be hired not because it’s something you want to do in life but because of the money you will make.

Besides, an interviewer may ask you how you might spend lottery winnings. The answer to this question will show how mature you are as a person and how responsible you are about money. So, you don’t have to talk about the Maldives or a Lamborghini, even if you dream about owning them. It’s best to say something about investing or buying a house for your family.

4. Why you shouldn’t be afraid to demonstrate your sense of humor.

According to statistics, 79% of financial directors think that an employee’s sense of humor helps them fit into the corporate culture. However, it’s important not to overdo it and show the future employer that you’re representable and easy to communicate with. Companies don’t like “difficult” workers who demand to be treated a certain way. Laugh at yourself or at the comments the HR manager makes (if it’s appropriate, of course). Simply be friendly and sharp-witted.

5. How to answer to the most crucial financial question.

Usually, candidates answer “yes” because they think that this is exactly what the potential employer is expecting from them — full dedication and commitment. In reality, things are a bit different — the employer likely wants to find an employee who knows the value of their professional skills. That’s why the right answer is “not really.”

6. How is this job different from others you’ve applied for?

This question is often asked at an interview in different companies. With it, the potential employer is trying to check your honesty. Job seekers rarely send their CVs to just one company.

If this is the case, it’s best to honestly say that you’ve sent your CV to a few companies, and then shortly describe how these positions are similar or different without saying anything negative about other companies. Don’t try to criticize them because it can ruin your reputation. Just focus on the advantages of the position you’re now being interviewed for.

7. What to do if the employer suddenly starts to behave in a weird way.

Another trick is when the interviewer starts to behave strangely. The candidate might be ignored by the interviewer, either by them looking at their computer screen or by answering a phone call and leaving the room in the middle of the interview.

This trick can show how the candidate is going to re-focus the interviewer’s attention or what ways they are going to use to get out of this situation. One of the most effective options is to ask the interviewer to reschedule the interview for another day.

8. Why you should nod whenever appropriate.

A head nod is one of the most powerful ways to show your reaction. Just like a bow, it indicates the acceptance of the interlocutor and that you’re agreeing with what they’re saying. A nod is a ritual that confirms the status of the speaker, and it’s most often used by women.

You can try using the following practice at a job interview — use a nod as you speak about your strengths and it can inspire the HR manager to nod back at you. Thus, they’ll demonstrate their agreement with you and the acceptance of what you’re going to talk about.

9. Can you start today?

This is also a tricky question. Usually, an interviewer asks this to employed job seekers. Depending on your answer, they will understand how responsible you are at your job, and how loyal you are to your current company and your team.

If a job seeker is ready to start a new job even today, they will hardly prove to be a reliable person. Besides, there is a possibility that the job seeker is desperate about money. If so, the employer may use this fact and assign a lower salary to you than you could have gotten.

10. Why it’s okay to put your weaknesses on the table.

Be ready to answer questions about your weaknesses. You’d be surprised to learn how they can win over a recruiter, even more so than your list of merits. An HR manager really wants to understand how you cope with difficulties at work. The main thing to remember is to demonstrate that you’re well aware of your weaknesses, that you assess them adequately, and that you’re working on them. But don’t overdo it with self-criticism — your answers should help you get the position, not lose it.

Have you ever been to an interview and realized that you weren’t prepared for unusual questions that made you not know how to react?