In today's world there is a greater chance than ever that you will change employers. You should be prepared for job interviewing. This mini-article is an addendum to my article, "Job Interviewing: How To Make It Work For You".

There are several common mistakes people make during interviews for new positions. Negatives to avoid in the interview include:

1. Poor personal appearance. Dress appropriately but don't overdress.
   
   
2. Overbearing, over-aggressive, or conceited attitude. The negative here is the "over". Employers do like aggressive and confident people.
   
   
3. Over-emphasis on starting salary. Promotions and additional money come to those who do a good job. Be more concerned about the future than the starting salary.
   
   
4. Over-emphasis on benefits. Employers are not impressed by candidates who are more interested in vacation, holidays, and medical plans than the challenge of the proposed job. Ask about the company benefits after they have offered you the job.
   
   
5. Condemnation of past employers. Don't knock prior employers or supervisors. If you can't say anything good about them, don't say anything.
   
   
6. Lack of interest in firm's industry. The prospective employer probably feels their industry is the best. Don't turn them off by showing no interest in what might be your future industry.
   
   
7. Lack of interest in the community. Employers look for well-rounded managers. Don't come across as a narrow person who is not interested in, nor aware of, anything but the job.
   
   
8. Failure to ask questions about the job. Interviewers will judge an applicant by the number and quality of questions he/she asks about the proposed job, the company, and its people. Do your homework about the company before you go for the interview, so you can ask better questions.
   
   
9. Willingness to discuss unfavorables. If you have changed jobs frequently, had periods of unemployment, been fired, or experienced other bad things, be prepared to discuss them. You shouldn't expound at great length on past problems, but be prepared to briefly explain them.
   
   
10. Career planning/personal finances. The lack of a career plan or the inability to handle your personal finances will be considered negative factors during the interview. If you have these problems, you should not bring up, nor allude to, these topics during the interview.
    

You may not be currently seeking a new position and only have a passing interest in job interviewing. The odds are, however, that in the foreseeable future you will be job interviewing. You should start preparing for that event now. You should make a copy of the interviewing series and have them ready for review. Thoughts on your career plan would also be in order, as well as pulling together your employment portfolio. Good luck.

The author of these articles is Paul Saunders who is the CEO of a management training and consulting company in Nashville. He has had extensive experience in the recruiting area. He is an active AITP member.