Interview deal-breakers: Don’t be a robot

When preparing for an interview, the internet can be a wonderful source of information. It can tell you which questions you might be asked, the weirdest things other candidates have done before you, and how much salary you can reasonably expect to be offered.

Additionally, you can find some great advice on what (not) to do once you’ve landed that coveted interview. Like the list of top interview deal-breakers compiled by Glassdoor based on the experience of Glassdoor recruiter Jamie Hichens.

The main advice Hichens has for candidates is: don’t be late, and don’t be a robot.

She says: "The most important thing is to be self-aware and act like a human. No one is expecting you to be a perfect robot. Do your best to show you have a high level of emotional intelligence and can handle difficult situations with grace."

For Hichens, other deal-breakers would be:

• Blaming flaws or hiccups on technical difficulties. If something goes wrong, see it as an opportunity to demonstrate your flexibility and problem-solving abilities, she says.
• Acting flustered. While acting human is great, don’t overdo it. Do try and keep yourself in check; if you blank, just take a moment and breathe.
• Not bringing your resume. Even if the application process has been digital so far, bring several hard copies of your resume to the interview to hand out.

Of course none of this will matter if you commit the unforgivable interview faux-pas: being late to an interview with no explanation or without emailing or calling ahead to say you’re running late.

"This one will knock out  99% of interviewees," says Hichens. "At the very least, if you’re running late, call and offer an ETA, an explanation, or an offer to reschedule. And remember to apologise for the inconvenience."

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