Mistake 6- Many seekers allow themselves to be overrun by their nerves.

Relax. Smile (when appropriate). Have some fun. Treat everyone you come into contact with respect, including and especially the receptionist. The little things will demonstrate a lot about your character and aid in showing your interviewer that you are someone they should consider joining their team.  In all reality, it’s just an interview.  Not your first.  Likely not your last.  Approach it as another learning experience.

Outside of those behavior tips for you to use during the interview, the two biggest contributors to nerves is lack of preparation and a lack of clarity. Both of these can easily be worked through. For example, before the interview, take a moment to ask and answer some of the questions you are likely to hear. Practice them until it sounds and looks natural. You may want to do this practice in front of a mirror.

Also, before the interview, ask yourself, why am I going through this interview? Does it support your vision of the ideal job? Is the job something that you would really want to do for 40+ hours a day for years? It may be that part of your nerves comes from this interview being inappropriate for your world view.

Mistake 7- Seekers do not practice enough prior to the interview.

There is a saying that “practice makes perfect”.  I like to say, “Perfect practice makes perfect”. Refine your answers and stories so that they are natural and authentic. Ask and answer example questions until you know them “like the back of your hand”.

Practice these responses with friends and family and/or in front of a mirror.

Mistake 8- Too many seekers lose their focus and story.

Prior to going into the interview, make sure you are clear about your story- who you are, what you are about, and what you want to get out of the interview- so you can communicate that effectively to your interviewer. Remember that you have something to offer and that you are a good candidate for the position. Do not waiver from that stance during the interview and do not concede your positioning.

Often interviewers will ‘test’ the job seeker by pausing inordinately long or by questioning statements that you have just made to see if the interviewer will change their story. Do not fall for these tactics.

Mistake 9- Remember to close the interview.

Toward the end of the interview you will want to introduce items into the conversation that have not been discussed previous but are important to your candidacy and/or ask questions that you would want to have answered. You must walk into each interview with an agenda of what you want to communicate and take the initiative to get that done. Also, interviewing is a two-way street. You should ask questions of the interviewer about things you want to know.  You are needed as much as they need you.

To Download the 10th Interview Mistake, visit and purchase the complete 10 Biggest Interview Mistakes eBook which is available at www.ItsNotYouItsYourResume.com. This eBook includes the 10th insight as well as helpful interview questions you may be asked, how to pass the phone interview and other helpful interview tips.