Pod Insights No B.S. Job Search Advice Radio Common Job Interview Mistakes About this episode EP 3051 These are critical mistakes individuals often make during job interviews without realizing the negative impact. ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTERPeople hire Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter to provide No BS job search coaching and career advice globally because he makes job search and succeeding in your career easier. Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group coaching during your job search at www. TheBigGameHunter.us. You will also find great info and job search coaching to help with your job search at JobSearch. Community You can get free copies of 25 Interview Questions and Answers, How to Craft a Compelling Elevator Pitch in 20 Seconds or Less, Get Ready for the Job Jungle, Diagnosing Your Job Search Problems, No BS Resume Advice, and Prove Your Worth First, Then Negotiate. Receive free weekly suggestions and more. Subscribe to No BS Job Search Advice Radio, the #1 podcast in Apple Podcasts for job search with more than 3000 episodes. Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to www. TheBigGameHunter.us and notice is provided that it is provided by Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to www. TheBigGameHunter.us makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay. Please contact us to negotiate the use of our content as training data.
Transcript 0:00 Speaker 00 Now at Kroger, your points add up to more ways to save every trip. Use them your way to take dollars off groceries at checkout or save at the pump. You can even save up to $35 on your next fill-up. Same points, more choices. And with low prices on fresh, quality food, plus digital and personalized offers tailored to how you shop, your dollar goes further. Redeem your points online or in the app. Kroger, fresh for everyone. Restrictions apply. See site or store for details.
0:30 Speaker 01 It's officially the holiday season and Abercrombie's new collection has outfits for everything on your calendar. It's the busiest time of year and between shopping and party invites, I don't have time to plan every look. But Abercrombie's always got me covered. Their sweaters are the perfect easy layer for low-key plans. And on a nice night out, I'm reaching for their classic trousers. Fill your closet with the pieces you'll need all season long. Have a very Abercrombie holiday. Shop in the app, online, and in stores.
1:00 Speaker 02 Welcome to the Deep Dive. Today, we're tackling something really crucial if you're out there in the job market. Interview mistakes. And we're not just talking the really obvious blunders, you know? We want to dissect those subtle errors. The ones that, well, they can trip you up, even if you're a fantastic candidate.
1:19 Speaker 03 Exactly. It's quite surprising how often really qualified people stumble. Not because of skills, but just how they come across in that interview room or, you know, the virtual room these days.
1:30 Speaker 02 Right.
1:30 Speaker 03 So we're going to unpack a whole range of these missteps. Everything from that first "tell me about yourself" question.
1:35 Speaker 02 Always tricky.
1:36 Speaker 03 All the way to the questions you should be asking at the end.
1:39 Speaker 02 Okay, so our mission here is to give you, the listener, a real edge. If you understand why certain things raise red flags, well, you can avoid them.
1:48 Speaker 03 Yeah. Boost your chances significantly.
1:50 Speaker 02 Okay, let's dive in.
1:51 Speaker 03 Right. So first up, a really common one: oversharing. Just... Talking too much, maybe losing focus.
1:58 Speaker 02 Ah, yeah, the rambling.
2:00 Speaker 03 Yeah.
2:00 Speaker 02 Nerves kick in, right?
2:01 Speaker 03 Mm-hmm. Absolutely. You feel you need to fill the silence and sometimes, well, you fill it with stuff that's just not relevant.
2:08 Speaker 02 It's like that nervous energy. You just want to sort of word vomit your whole life story. But you have to remember what they're actually looking for.
2:15 Speaker 03 Precisely. They're trying to figure out, do you have the skills, the experience for this specific job?
2:22 Speaker 02 Right.
2:22 Speaker 03 So when they say, "Tell me about yourself," and you launch into, I don't know, your first summer job stacking shelves, or your pet's name.
2:29 Speaker 02 Okay, maybe not the pet's name.
2:31 Speaker 03 Hopefully not. But, you know, things that aren't really hitting the mark for this role, it kind of suggests you might struggle to focus on what's important.
2:38 Speaker 02 Yeah, makes sense. So less life story, more professional highlights reel, tailored to the job.
2:44 Speaker 03 Exactly. Keep it concise, maybe, you know, around two minutes for that opening. Any longer and you dilute the core message, which is why you're a great fit right here, right now.
2:53 Speaker 02 Got it. Okay, what's next? Another comment trap?
2:56 Speaker 03 Badmouthing previous employers.
2:59 Speaker 02 Hmm.
2:59 Speaker 03 Oh, this is a big one.
3:01 Speaker 02 It's tempting, though, isn't it? If you had a bad experience, kind of want to vent.
3:05 Speaker 03 It is tempting, understandably so sometimes, but it just doesn't reflect well on you.
3:11 Speaker 02 Because the interviewer is sitting there thinking.
3:13 Speaker 03 What are they gonna say about us in a year or two?
3:15 Speaker 02 Exactly. It raises questions about professionalism, negativity.
3:19 Speaker 03 Oh.
3:19 Speaker 02 Are you gonna be a good team member?
3:22 Speaker 03 So even if the last place was, you know, a disaster.
3:25 Speaker 02 Find a different way, a more constructive way to frame why you left or why you're looking.
3:30 Speaker 03 Okay, so what's the alternative, then?
3:32 Speaker 02 Focus on the positive, on what you're seeking. Talk about the future. Maybe you want more growth, more responsibility, a more collaborative team.
3:40 Speaker 03 Ah, so pivot from the negative past to the positive future you want.
3:45 Speaker 02 That's it. Keeps it forward-looking, professional.
3:47 Speaker 03 Strategic. I like it. Okay, what about, um, long-term goals? When they ask, "Where do you see yourself?" How do you avoid making it sound like you're just passing through? Yeah, that's another tricky one. If you start talking about plans that, well, clearly don't involve sticking around in this role for long, like, starting your own totally different business in six months.
4:10 Speaker 02 Or switching careers entirely soon.
4:12 Speaker 03 Right. That's gonna raise commitment concerns for this specific job.
4:16 Speaker 02 So even if you do have those bigger, different plans brewing.
4:22 Speaker 02 Maybe keep them under wraps for now.
4:24 Speaker 03 At the interview stage, yes. It's usually best. Focus instead on your professional development within the company.
4:31 Speaker 02 How you want to grow there.
4:32 Speaker 03 Exactly. How you see yourself learning, taking on more, contributing to their success. You want to show you're invested in this opportunity, even if your five-year plan looks different privately.
4:43 Speaker 02 Right, makes sense. Okay, another one I've heard about sounding desperate.
4:47 Speaker 03 Oh, definitely. Big red flag.
4:49 Speaker 02 We all need a job, but there's a way that comes across badly.
4:52 Speaker 03 Absolutely. Saying things like, "Oh, I'll take anything," or, "Honestly, nobody else is calling me back."
4:57 Speaker 02 Ouch.
4:57 Speaker 03 Yeah, it's alarming for employers. They start wondering, "Well, why isn't anyone else calling you back? Is there something wrong here?"
5:03 Speaker 02 It makes them doubt your qualifications, maybe. Or your confidence.
5:06 Speaker 03 Exactly. It suggests maybe you don't value yourself, or maybe you aren't actually a good fit if you're that desperate.
5:12 Speaker 02 So, the better approach?
5:13 Speaker 03 Focus on the why. Why this job? Why this company? Frame it as a positive choice.
5:20 Speaker 02 Like, "I'm choosing you because..."
5:21 Speaker 03 Precisely. Highlight your genuine interest in the role, the mission, the team, whatever resonates. Make it sound like a deliberate decision, not a last resort.
5:32 Speaker 02 Okay. Now, let's talk personal stuff.
5:34 Speaker 03 Yes.
5:34 Speaker 02 Discussing personal issues.
5:36 Speaker 03 Ah.
5:37 Speaker 02 Where's the line in an interview?
5:39 Speaker 03 Yeah, tricky territory. Generally, it's best to avoid bringing up personal medical conditions early on, especially if they don't affect your ability to do the job's core function.
5:48 Speaker 02 And if you need accommodations?
5:49 Speaker 03 That's a conversation for after a job offer, not before. Keep the initial interviews focused on your skills and experience.
5:55 Speaker 02 Right. What about other personal things? Politics? Salary history?
5:59 Speaker 03 Politics? Just, no. Avoid it completely. It's a minefield, even if you think you know the interviewer's views. Too risky.
6:06 Speaker 02 Agreed. And previous salary?
6:08 Speaker 03 You're usually not obligated to share that. If they ask, you can pivot. Politely shift to discussing your expected salary for this role, based on your research and experience.
6:18 Speaker 02 Good pivot. Okay, now, this is an interesting one. The we versus I balance when talking about accomplishment.
6:25 Speaker 03 Ah, yes, the subtle art of attribution. It's important. If you only say we, especially for collaborative projects.
6:32 Speaker 02 They don't know what you actually did.
6:34 Speaker 03 Exactly. It obscures your individual contribution. They're left wondering, okay, the team did great, but what was your specific impact?
6:39 Speaker 02 But then, if you only say I, I, I.
6:42 Speaker 03 Then you risk sounding like you're not a team player, maybe a bit arrogant or self-centered.
6:47 Speaker 02 So it's a blend.
6:47 Speaker 03 It's a strategic blend. Use I when you're talking about your specific actions, your direct responsibilities, the results you drove. Use we when acknowledging the team effort, the shared success.
6:59 Speaker 02 Showcase individual impact and teamwork.
7:01 Speaker 03 Hmm.
7:02 Speaker 02 Okay. Related to that, how do you sound confident without tipping over into, well, cocky?
7:08 Speaker 03 It's a fine line, isn't it? Confidence is about clearly stating your skills, backing them up with evidence. Arrogance is more like boastfulness, maybe dismissing others.
7:18 Speaker 02 So how do you hit that sweet spot? Knowing you're good, but not sounding like you think you're the only one who's good.
7:23 Speaker 03 Quantify. Quantify your impact whenever you can. Don't just say, I improved sales. I increased sales by 15% in six months by doing X, Y, and Z. See, specifics, data.
7:36 Speaker 02 Right, tangible results.
7:37 Speaker 03 And show some humility. Acknowledge team members. Show you're open to learning. Avoid sounding infallible.
7:43 Speaker 02 Data plus humility. Got it. Now prep. Everyone knows you need to prepare, but can you actually over-prepare?
7:49 Speaker 03 Oh, absolutely. You can, if you memorize answers like a script.
7:52 Speaker 02 You sound like a robot.
7:53 Speaker 03 Exactly. It lacks authenticity. Interviewers want a real conversation, get a feel for your personality, how you think. A script just creates a barrier.
8:01 Speaker 02 So know your stuff, have your examples ready, but deliver it naturally.
8:05 Speaker 03 Precisely. Know your key messages, your stories, but be present, be genuine. Respond to the actual question in the moment.
8:12 Speaker 02 Okay, and what kind of prep actually matters? Because people can focus on the wrong things, right?
8:17 Speaker 03 Very common mistake, spending hours memorizing, I don't know, the names of CEOs from 10 years ago, or obscure company history.
8:25 Speaker 02 Stuff that isn't really relevant to the role today.
8:28 Speaker 03 Right. What does matter is understanding their business now. What are their products, their services? What are their recent challenges or successes? And critically, what does this specific role entail day to day? What are they looking for?
8:42 Speaker 02 So connect your skills to their current needs, not their ancient history.
8:46 Speaker 03 That's the key. Show how you can solve their problems, contribute to their goals.
8:50 Speaker 02 And interviews aren't all the same, are they? Different stages mean different approaches.
8:54 Speaker 03 Definitely. A first-round screen is different from a final panel interview, assuming they're the same as a mistake.
9:00 Speaker 02 What's the difference typically?
9:02 Speaker 03 Well, the first round might be more about basic qualifications, just checking the boxes. Later rounds dig deeper into strategic thinking, cultural fit, problem solving.
9:12 Speaker 02 So Taylor, you're prepped for each stage.
9:14 Speaker 03 Exactly. Know the goal of that specific interview.
9:18 Speaker 02 Okay, let's shift gears slightly. Executive-level interviews. Are there specific mistakes common at that senior level?
9:26 Speaker 03 Yes, there are distinct pitfalls there. One big one is focusing too much on the past, just recounting old achievements.
9:33 Speaker 02 But isn't your track record important?
9:36 Speaker 03 It is, but it's not enough. At the executive level, they're hiring for the future. They need to see how your past experience equips you to tackle their future challenges and opportunities.
9:47 Speaker 02 So less, "Here's what I did," more, "Here's how my experience helps me solve your problem."
9:52 Speaker 03 Exactly. You need to shift the conversation from evaluation, them judging your past, to collaboration, talking strategically about their future and how you fit into it.
10:03 Speaker 02 That's a significant mindset shift. What's another executive mistake?
10:07 Speaker 03 Just telling stories from the resume without pulling out the principles.
10:09 Speaker 02 What do you mean?
10:10 Speaker 03 Just saying, "At my last company, we did this project." Without explaining the thinking behind it, the leadership approach, the values that drove it. They need to see how you think and lead, not just what you did.
10:21 Speaker 02 Because they might think, "Okay, that worked there, but we're different."
10:24 Speaker 03 Precisely. You need to show the transferable skills, the adaptable leadership philosophy, share the why and the how, not just the what.
10:33 Speaker 02 Focus on the principles behind the success.
10:35 Speaker 03 Hmm.
10:36 Speaker 02 Okay? Anything else specific to executives?
10:39 Speaker 03 Yes, limiting the discussion just to the specific job function, that's a mistake.
10:44 Speaker 02 You mean only talking about marketing if it's a CMO role?
10:47 Speaker 03 Right. Executives need to think organization-wide. Your discussions, your examples, your plans, they should connect to the broader business strategy, the impact across departments. You see the big picture.
10:59 Speaker 02 You're being hired as a leader for the whole company, essentially.
11:01 Speaker 03 Exactly. Now, here's an interesting one, asking, "What does it take to succeed here?"
11:08 Speaker 03 At the executive level.
11:09 Speaker 02 Why is that a mistake? Seems like a reasonable question.
11:11 Speaker 03 At junior levels, maybe. But for an executive, it can signal a lack of initiative. You're expected to bring the vision to help define success, not just ask for the formula.
11:21 Speaker 02 Uh, it makes you sound like you need your hand held, maybe. Less like a leader who sets direction.
11:25 Speaker 03 Precisely. You should be offering insights, maybe even advising them on the role, based on your experience.
11:30 Speaker 02 That's a key difference. Okay, one more for executives. Blending individual contributions.
11:36 Speaker 03 Yes. Similar to the general we versus I point, but maybe even more critical at the top. You must be able to clearly articulate your specific impact, your individual initiatives, even within team successes. Vague, "we did this." Answers aren't strong enough.
11:52 Speaker 02 Got to own your results clearly. Okay, let's broaden back out. General mistakes for anyone. Drawing a blank.
11:59 Speaker 03 Huge problem. Being stumped by common questions, strengths, weaknesses, why you want the job, just signals poor preparation.
12:07 Speaker 02 You've got to practice those.
12:08 Speaker 03 Absolutely. Have thoughtful answers ready.
12:10 Speaker 02 What about, um, not actually answering the question asks?
12:14 Speaker 03 Sounds basic, but it happens a lot. People get nervous, they pivot, they talk around the question.
12:19 Speaker 02 And the interviewer just gets frustrated.
12:21 Speaker 03 Right. Or thinks you're being evasive. Listen carefully, answer directly, then you can elaborate if needed.
12:26 Speaker 02 Good advice. And missing chances to, as you put it, toggle up achievements.
12:31 Speaker 03 Yeah, just stating facts versus highlighting impact. Don't just say what you did. Explain how well you did it, what the positive outcome was. Quantify it again, if possible.
12:42 Speaker 02 Sell yourself, but based on facts.
12:45 Speaker 03 Confidently, not arrogantly. And avoid cliches.
12:48 Speaker 02 Oh, the generic answer.
12:49 Speaker 03 Exactly. "I'm a hard worker, I'm a team player." Interviewers hear these constantly, they tell them nothing unique about you.
12:56 Speaker 02 Use specific examples instead. Stand out.
12:59 Speaker 03 Definitely. We also talked about oversharing, but there's also just general TMI, too much detail, even on relevant stuff.
13:06 Speaker 02 All right, getting lost in the weeds.
13:07 Speaker 03 Keep it focused, concise. Hit the key points that matter for the role.
13:12 Speaker 02 And at the end, when they ask, "Do you have any questions?", saying no.
13:16 Speaker 03 Big mistake. Huge. Huge missed opportunity. It's just a lack of interest, lack of engagement.
13:22 Speaker 02 It's your chance to show you're really thinking about it.
13:24 Speaker 03 And to learn more. Always have thoughtful questions ready about the role, the team, the company challenges, the culture.
13:32 Speaker 02 OK, and just generally negativity or arrogance. We've touched on this, but worth repeating.
13:36 Speaker 03 Absolutely critical. Maintain a positive enthusiastic attitude. No complaining, no cynicism. And check the ego at the door. Confidence, yes. Arrogance, no.
13:47 Speaker 02 Project positivity. What about just basic communication skills?
13:52 Speaker 03 Fundamentally important. Being unclear, rambling, using too much jargon, mumbling. It all undermines you. Practice speaking clearly and concisely.
14:02 Speaker 02 Be easy to understand, easy to listen to. And underpinning all of this.
14:06 Speaker 03 Preparation, preparation, preparation.
14:08 Speaker 02 Research the company, understand the role, know how you fit. It sounds basic.
14:12 Speaker 03 But so many people still don't do it thoroughly enough. It shows.
14:15 Speaker 02 OK, final point then. Confidence. We said, don't be cocky, but you also can't be.
14:20 Speaker 03 Too hesitant, underselling yourself is just as bad. Appearing insecure, overly modest. It doesn't inspire confidence in the interviewer.
14:27 Speaker 02 So find that balance. Confident but humble. Know your worth. State it clearly.
14:32 Speaker 03 That's the goal. Self-aware competence.
14:34 Speaker 02 Wow, OK, that's a lot to keep in mind. It really is amazing how many sort of small things can add up to make or break an interview.
14:40 Speaker 03 It really is. But the good news is, most of these are avoidable with awareness and preparation.
14:46 Speaker 02 Understanding these pitfalls gives you a massive advantage.
14:49 Speaker 03 Preparation, self-awareness, clear communication. Those are your best tools.
14:54 Speaker 02 So for everyone listening, as you prep for that next interview, maybe reflect on this. Have any of these little mistakes tripped you up in the past without you realizing it?
15:03 Speaker 03 Hmm.
15:03 Speaker 02 Thinking about it now can help you approach the next one with much greater awareness and hopefully much greater success. Thanks for taking this deep dive with us.
15:13 Speaker 00 When you shop pickup at Kroger, you can expect the savings you love and fresh groceries selected just for you. Our associates are committed to getting every detail right. Carefully handpicking your items, checking for quality and freshness, and packing your order with care. Because bringing you fresh, quality groceries is what we do best. And right now, enjoy $20 off your first online order of $75 or more. Restrictions apply. See site for details. Kroger, fresh for everyone.
15:43 Speaker 01 It's officially the holiday season and Abercrombie's new collection has outfits for everything on your calendar. It's the busiest time of year and between shopping and party invites, I don't have time to plan every look. But Abercrombie's always got me covered. Their sweaters are the perfect easy layer for low-key plans and on a nice night out, I'm reaching for their classic trousers. Fill your closet with the pieces you'll need all season long. Have a very Abercrombie holiday. Shop in the app, online, and in stores.
Previous Use ChatGPT to Write a Killer Cover Letter Next Finding a Job in the Real World: Job Search for Recent Graduates Page updated November 7, 2026 · transcript and summary are machine-generated
