Essential Interview Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid
I have interviewed hundreds of candidates over fifteen years. I have seen what works, what fails, and how to stop sabotaging your own career before it starts
By Your Bro · · Self Improvement
Nobody cares how good you are at your job if you can't survive forty-five minutes in a conference room during an interview without revealing you are a liability.
Key Takeaways
Stop trashing your former employer; it makes you the problem, not them.
The weakness question is a test of coachability and self-awareness.
Preparation for virtual interviews is just as critical as the suit you wear in person.
Your hobbies are a proxy for discipline and social competence.
The View from the Other Side of the Desk
As a sales leader, I’ve interviewed hundreds of potential sales and sales support candidates over the past fifteen years. Seeing a wide variety of people and styles absolutely gives you a sense of what works and what doesn’t. I’m of the belief that you learn more by understanding what not to do rather than being told what to do. In an effort to help at least one person avoid a disastrous interview, I’ve put together a list of things NOT to say in an interview. Included in the list is the interviewer’s interpretation of what’s actually being said so that you can learn to understand your audience a bit more.
Interviews are not about your life story. They are about risk mitigation. The hiring manager is betting their own reputation and their team's productivity on you. If you sound like a headache, they won't hire you, even if your resume is perfect. Research from Gallup suggests that the cost of a bad hire can be significantly higher than the vacancy itself, which is why managers are looking for any reason to say no. Don't give them one.
Mastering the Standard Questions
When you are asked about your start date, don't say you didn't give notice or don't plan to. The interviewer thinks: "This candidate is capable of doing the exact same thing to us, putting our company in a bad spot." Instead, tell them you fully intend on giving standard two weeks' notice to your current employer, but offer to do prep work after hours. It shows loyalty and a work ethic.
When the conversation turns to trashing your current team, keep your mouth shut. If you say you're leaving because you don't get along with your boss, they see a culture killer. Focus on the positive. Say you are looking to join a company that values specific traits you've researched. It implies your current place lacks them without you sounding like a bitter ex-employee. I've always found that wasting time on negativity during a meeting is the fastest way to lose the room.
Regarding compensation, don't just pull a number out of thin air. If you say "I want $100k," the interviewer wonders if you're delusional. I’d like to make a million dollars per year, but it’s not about what I want; it’s about what’s realistic. Say: "I would need to make a minimum of $X to make a move, and the offers I have been receiving are in the $X to $Y range." It shows you know your market value.
The Weakness and Future Vision Trap
The biggest weakness question is a classic. Saying "I don't have any" makes you look arrogant or uncoachable. Over my years of working, I’ve found that everyone has gaps. Pick something real you’ve strived to improve upon and explain how you are making progress. This shows you have the humility to grow.
Similarly, when asked where you see yourself in five years, don't say "in your job" or "CEO." It’s cocky and disrespectful. Tell them you want to be in a role that expands on the current one and allows you to be part of a great team. You aren't there to take their chair; you're there to help them build the table. If you want to become the leader you were created to be, you start by being the best version of the role you are actually applying for today.
The Digital Front Door: Virtual Presence
In the modern era, you will likely interview over a screen first. Don't treat this like a casual FaceTime call. I once interviewed a guy who was wearing a wrinkled t-shirt and had a pile of laundry clearly visible on the bed behind him. He was smart, but I couldn't get past the fact that he couldn't be bothered to tidy a six-foot radius for a life-changing job. It showed a total lack of attention to detail.
Check your lighting. If the light is behind you, you look like a silhouette in a witness protection program. Put the light in front of your face. Look at the camera lens, not the screen, so you appear to be making eye contact. Treat the background like a set you are directing. A clean wall or a professional bookshelf beats a messy kitchen every time.
Appearance and the Fine Details
Your appearance still matters, regardless of what people tell you on social media. A Bureau of Labor Statistics summary on career outlooks emphasizes that professional presentation remains a top factor in initial impressions. If the company is casual, dress one notch above them. If they wear polos, wear a button-down. If they wear button-downs, wear a jacket. It’s better to be the guy who took it seriously than the guy who looked like he rolled out of bed. I have written before about why your appearance matters in everything you do. An interview is the pinnacle of that rule.
Finally, the hobbies question. Don't say drinking or partying. It suggests you lack discipline. Have a couple of mature hobbies like traveling, sports, or art. If you lead an interesting life, this should be easy. It's a way to show you are a well-rounded human being people actually want to sit next to for eight hours a day.
What To Do This Week
Audit your background. Set up your webcam and look at what the camera sees. Move the laundry and fix the lighting.
Write down your "weakness" answer. Practice it until it sounds honest but proactive.
Research the salary range for your role on sites like Glassdoor or Payscale so your numbers aren't guesses.
Prepare three specific questions for the interviewer about the company's long-term goals.
Make sure you follow up with a thank you email within 24 hours of the meeting. It’s simple, it’s polite, and it sets you apart from the guys who are too lazy to do it.
Your Bro
—Your Bro