THINGS NOT
TO DO IN A
JOB
INTERVIEW
BY: DOMINIC DEUSDEDITH
Founder and CEO of Flyman Technology
Dar es salaam, Tanzania

NOT TO DO IN A JOB INTERVIEW
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• So you have decided to take that leap of faith and look for a new job. Or
you might be in the process of wanting to change things for the better. No
matter what your intentions are, a successful career can bring you a
number of different achievements. First impressions as they say count and
are more important than ever. However, before you get your feet under
the virtual desk there is of course the job interview to master.
• When it comes to job interviews you can choose from a wide variety of
techniques as well as measures in order to cope with the big day. On the
other hand, there are so many ways in which you can cope with the
tension not to mention the nerves. At the end of the day all you need to
do is to remain calm and take some advice from not only your friends but
also your family.
• Regardless of what industry you are striving to succeed in, nailing a job
interview can be extremely rewarding. Whether it is your first time
undergoing on or you have been to a series of grillings, the interview
process can be a daunting process.
• Of course a curriculum vitae or CV is an important part of the process. It is
crucial that you send your prospective employer a CV that outlines your
achievements, while emphasising your qualities and previous work
experience. So to avoid any flustered situations and improve your chances
of landing that dream role here are the top 10 things to avoid when faced
with that all important job interview.

1. Don’t Be Unprepared
• In the first instance, you will
need to make sure that you
are fully prepared. At all
costs, you should not be
unprepared as it will show
in the interview. You need
to put plenty of effort in to
look at the sector, the boss
and the ethos of the
company. The position is
everything so you should go
the extra mile to learn
about the role and become
knowledgeable about the
particular company. This
will stand you in good stead
because you will be taken
much more seriously.

2. Salary
• This is definitely not the place
to discuss figures. For some
reason, it can be deemed
acceptable on the off chance
that the interviewers raise the
matter accordingly. Salaries
are always a sensitive subject
in interviews so it should not
be a major topic during the
procedure unless instructed.
Have a rough idea in your
mind before going but don’t
bring this up as it will send
out the wrong messages.

3. Eye Contact
• It is imperative that you
maintain reasonable eye contact
with your prospective
employers. Staring into space or
even down at the floor is not
the best way to impress people,
especially those who you might
be working with. However, you
should not stare too much as it
may become a little overbearing
for some in the room. Getting
the right balance of steely
determination and
professionalism is key to make
sure you are focused on the task
at hand.
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4. Being Honest
• You should not be evasive when in the middle of conducting an interview. You will
probably be faced with a series of challenging questions which will be direct and
to the point. Nonetheless you need to be prepared at all times to face the firing
squad and be direct with your responses. Body language is a giveaway so you
should perceive to have an air of confidence with your answers

5. Being False
• There is also no room for being
false as far as an interview
situation is concerned. You want
to please everyone in the room
and make sure you answer each
question properly but playing to
the crowd should not be on the
agenda. No doubt you will find
yourself in a potentially stressful
scenario but it is essential that
you remain calm and be
yourself. This is far better than
boasting or providing
outrageous credentials that you
simply cannot prove.

6. Don’t Be Informal
• You must never forget the fact that being informal will get you nowhere.
There is no place for chit chat and such like in an interview process and
you should be professional at all times. Approach questions in a business-like
manner and don’t bring any personal issues to the table. The
company is more interested in how well you can perform the job, not
about the latest gossip about your marriage.

7. Insulting Your Former Company
• Making any accusations
about your former employers
is a big no-no. Employers are
not interested about your
speaking in a negative
manner about any
individuals. Trash talking
someone during an interview
paints the wrong impression
of you so avoid it at all costs.
Harping on in this manner
will get you nowhere except
being shown the exit door.

8. Platitudes
• It is very irritating for
companies when they hear
popular clichés that people
tend to churn out on a
regular basis. This includes
the likes of being a genuine
team player or having the
ability to be a problem solver.
The majority of switched on
interviewees will have heard
these terms a thousand
times over. Therefore, you
have to be inventive in your
answers and concise, whilst
promoting your character
and mentioning how you can
resolve and rectify issues.

9. Being Quiet
• Being inquisitive about the job and the company is crucial to getting ahead
in the interview. No company will want a wallflower who does not take a
vested interest in their business. Employers are looking for whether you
can fit in with fellow employees and have the ability to build relations
accordingly. Companies want dynamic, effervescent individuals so make
that interview count.

10. Dressing Casual
• Being smart is certainly the
order of the day and to
create that first impression.
As the old saying goes,
clothes do really make the
man or woman. In this way,
from the moment you walk
into meet the interviewer,
you should dress to
impress with a snappy suit,
shirt and a pair of smart
brogues. After all it is much
better to look the part than
not

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BY: DOMINIC DEUSDEDITH
Founder and CEO of Flyman Technology
Dar es salaam, Tanzania