• Failing to prepare

Just no excuse. Do you want a job or don't you?

 

• Not really interested in the job

Don't waste your time and theirs

 

• Only going to brush up my interview technique

Rarely works - usually means you turn in a poor performance

 

• Being late

Just no excuse.

 

• Don't know who you'll be meeting

Just no excuse.

 

• Don't know much about the company

As above.

 

• Inappropriate style of dress/shambling appearance

How many times do you need to hear it? Appropriate dress! Casual can still be smart.

 

• Talking too much

They want to know about you. Your opportunity will come.

 

• Talking too little

They want to know who you are. That's the purpose of the interview.

 

• No eye contact

Come across at best as lacking in self-confidence. At worst - shifty.

 

• Lack of enthusiasm

If you make it to interview Do you think everyone else isn't interested in the job?

 

• Overvaluing yourself

Big mistake. Can be terminal.

 

• Too laid back

Sit up properly and look as though you mean business.

 

• Lacking in energy

Tired answers and tired manner are not generally up there in winning.

 

• Unsure about self-achievements

Why? Did you not write your CV yourself?

 

• Talking in generalities

Be specific.

 

• Rambling answers

Yawn.

 

• Not turning off mobile

Dear oh dear.

 

• Taking call on mobile

Rude. Arrogant. Terminal

 

• Unfamiliarity with CV structure and content

You did write it yourself didn't you!

 

• Acting disinterested

If the job doesn't interest you politely say so. Better for everyone.

 

• Too casual

Acting casual has no place in an interview

 

• Too interested in perks

Come across as shallow with completely wrong focus

 

• Getting too technical

Often applies to techies. Interviewer wants to understand the scope of what you can do not necessarily the intimate technicalities of Java programming

 

• Talent vs arrogance

Talented people can look arrogant if not careful. People buy talent not arrogance

 

• Inability to sum yourself up

Practise a two minute summary of yourself - the so called "elevator pitch".

 

• Making inappropriate comments about your present or previous employer

Absolute no-no. If you talk about them in disparaging terms you may do the same to the new company.

 

• Suggesting how the company could be run better

Unless specifically asked to provide an example don't do it.

 

• Asking too many questions

There's a time, place and limit.

 

• Not knowing when to shut up

Praestate, dicete, tacete. (Stand up, speak up, shut up!)

 

• Poor listening ability

Listening is hard. It is an active pursuit and requires sharp brainwork. Fail to listen and you'll fail. Full stop.

 

• Don't look like a team player...

 

Special Aptitudes:

The habit of wide reading, an ability to think logically, a skill to assemble facts and to communicate findings articulately.  The health and vigour of an accomplished athlete.

 

Travel:

I have lived in Kenya, Zambia, the Lebanon, Lesotho, Thailand, the Phillipines and the United Kingdom

 

Publications:

Who owns and controls the mass media in the US and Britain? Is its ownership satisfactory from the viewpoint of safeguarding democracy?

The New World information order in the light of economic policy

Nationalism – Is it a myth?

South Africa – a critical analysis.

 

Team player?? You decide.

 

• Don't know the job specification or requirements

Why on earth not?!