Everyone wants to make a good impression when it comes to a job interview, but what are the most common classic interview mistakes that can mean you might not land your dream role, and how can you avoid them?

We share the most common interview mistakes that candidates can make…

Not doing your research

Probably the number one interview mistake people make is attending an interview totally unprepared! This could mean failing to research the company, the role, or even the person who will be undertaking your interview. It could also mean not being prepared in terms of what questions you might be asked, and therefore having great, researched answers at the ready. Arriving at your interview with a decent amount of research under your belt, and possible answers to questions will 100% help with your confidence. Remember the old expression: Failure to prepare = prepare to fail!

Not Listening

A common mistake at interview is that people go in with a pre-prepared script that they don’t divert from, therefore giving answers without really listening to the questions that are being asked by the interviewer. Really think about what is being said before speaking. Most interviewers won’t mind a considered pause if your subsequent answer is insightful and relevant!

Turning up late

Obviously, this is a big no-no, and tends to happen when people don’t plan their route, and therefore don’t allow enough time to get to the interview location. Always factor in at least 10 minutes in the location’s reception ahead of the interview time, and a few more minutes to gather yourself so you enter the interview room relaxed, confident and prepared. It goes without saying, that if you do end up being late for any reason, that you apologise profusely!

It's also worth checking your internet connection, mic & camera etc before a video interview. With more and more first interviews happening via video call, they needed to be treated in the same way as a face-to-face interview - turning up late, dropping out halfway through, or trying to be interviewed in a busy area where you can barely be heard is not ideal.

Lacking strong communication skills

If people are feeling nervous, essential communication skills such as making eye contact, building rapport and positive body language can be overlooked. Along with these things, a firm handshake and being interested in the interviewer should also be remembered. Take your cue from the interviewer - If you’re too ‘stiff’ and formal you’ll potentially sound robotic with little personality, but too relaxed may mean the interviewer thinks you won’t take the role seriously. A balance between the two is often the safest bet.

Not asking questions

You’ll inevitably be asked if you have any questions at the end of the interview, and so it’s vital that you have a few relevant ones up your sleeve. Ideally your questions will be positive and employer-focused, maybe asking about the company’s plans for the coming year or enthusing about a current client – anything that gets the interviewer animated and keen to share more with you. By having questions ready to go, you’ll sound like you’re keen on the company, and interested in its future.

Like these interview tips? Head on over to the BT6 blog for more advice, news and articles!

Job interviews can be nerve-wracking, especially when you don't know what to expect. But there are proven strategies that can help you stay calm and confident during the process as well as help with any anxiety that you may experience. This week is Mental Health Awareness Week, with this year’s theme being around ‘anxiety’ and how to manage it.

With this in mind, here at BT6 we’re sharing five tips that will help you prepare for a job interview and ensure that you know how to manage your anxiety before the big day. From creating a checklist of things to bring to the interview, to practicing mindfulness, these strategies will give you the confidence boost you need to ace your job interview!

Create a checklist of things you'll need to bring to the interview.

Nervous about an upcoming job interview and wondering how to manage anxiety? Don't panic! Having a checklist of items to bring can help you stay organised, prepared and keep your head clearer. From a copy of your CV, to making a note of what you’re going to wear, your checklist of the ‘on-the-day’ essentials can ensure you don't forget anything important, and can focus on showing off your best self in the interview.

Prepare a list of questions you want to ask the potential employer.

Before your interview, you'll want to make sure you have some key questions in mind that will help you determine whether the job is right for you, or if it's even worth the opportunity. From what kind of culture they're looking for in their employee, to how many hours they expect per week, these are just a few examples of what might come up during your conversation with the potential employer – and each question could lead to another thoughtful discussion as well! By having some questions ready yourself, you can feel more in control and lessen any potential anxiety.

Practice what you’ll say

Thorough interview preparation in key to helping with anxiety in job interviews. Read the job description again and again. See how you can apply what you have done in a previous role. Sometimes employers list the skills and experiences they're looking for as: 'essential', things you need to have and then 'desirable', things it would be good to have.

You'll need to give examples that show you have relevant skills and experience. These can include:

• things you did in school, college or university
• any work, internships or volunteering experiences you've had
• any training, workshops or courses you've done
• things you've learned outside work

Practice Mindfulness

Be aware of the physical cues in your body when you are feeling anxious. Do you get sweaty palms before an interview? They can serve as a reminder to ground yourself in the present moment by calming your body. If you feel a knot in your stomach, tension in your body or a racing heart, use that as a reminder to bring your mind’s attention back to the here and now, and focus on the interview.

Visualise success

It's useful to visualise succeeding in the interview and how you’ll feel afterwards once it’s finished. This visualisation can give you the ability to see the interview as an exercise and relax and answer questions with confidence. Picture yourself answering questions successfully and feeling comfortable in the situation and in the interview room. It's so easy to visualise failure when you suffer from anxiety, so training yourself to be more positive is really helpful when it comes to managing it.

Consider writing down your worries in a journal or simply on a piece of paper to clear them from your mind and choose to listen to relaxing music or an audiobook whist traveling to the interview.

You've got this!

Read some more of our tips, news and industry advice, over on the BT6 blog

Over on the BT6 blog today, we chat to Holly Miller, Managing Director of BT6.

Hi Holly, what is your career background, and how long have you been working for BT6? 

I have had quite a varied career, covering Operations Management, Sales, Account Management & Social Media Marketing. I left Corporate in 2016 after my own business grew beyond a part time sideline; enabling me to work from home around my little ones. I made my way back into Corporate in 2021 and took over the management of BT6 in mid 2022. It’s a joy to work with such a vibrant team who are passionate about matching talent with the right opportunity.  

What is your role and what does it involve?

As Holly Miller, MD, I have overall responsibility for driving strategy, sales, relationship management and operational delivery.

Most rewarding part of your role?

I thoroughly enjoy the whole process; from capturing the requirement from the client, to briefing the team and witnessing them come into their own, especially when working on more challenging roles. There is a huge sense of achievement when we match a candidate with the right opportunity, helping both candidate and client grow and expand. Operationally, I love a process so implementing our internal systems has been incredibly rewarding; freeing the team up to focus on building relationships with candidates and clients alike. I also have a real passion for aesthetics and marketing, so implementing the new website and seeing the socials come to life is also a real joy.

Most challenging aspects of your role?

Things move fast in Recruitment, and on occasion roles can be filled by internal HR departments/competitors before we’ve had a chance to really sink our teeth into the role, which can be a challenge, but we thrive under pressure and focus on ensuring we are providing a holistic service, and getting to know candidates in our ever-growing database so that we have a pool of available talent ready to go.

Has there been a most memorable moment in your job?

When I took the reins, back in 2022, we were given three high-level roles for a leading digital agency in London. Despite being up against an incumbent, we really rose to the challenge and placed two of the three roles; the third was placed by their internal HR department. It was a huge win for the business and we took great joy in ringing our office sales bell to celebrate!

Advice for candidates seeking work in the regulated sector?

Our clients are looking for highly skilled, personable candidates who are aligned with their mission and cultural values. In a highly competitive market, your skillset and ability to move fast is your strength. Ensuring your CV is up to date, you have the desired skills and have presented yourself in the best light are all standard, but in order to stand out we advise researching the company you are seeking employment from, aligning yourself with their values and mission statement, and absorbing as much information on them as you can prior to interview, and if possible, prior to submitting your CV and cover letter.

From a client's perspective, what makes BT6 different from other recruitment agencies? Why should they choose BT6 when it comes to finding the right, talented candidates?

We pride ourselves on providing a fully-immersive resourcing solution. Our consultants are committed to learning about the company culture and strategic aims, so that they can source and match applicants appropriately. We know that you need staff who complement your company’s ethos, share its objectives and deliver outstanding performance, so we take a holistic approach when screening any potential candidates. Helping you find high-quality team members begins with understanding your business and how each role contributes to it. With our extensive network and sector-specific databases, we select candidates not only based on their CVs, qualifications and experience but also on the aptitudes, additional talents and personal attributes they can bring to each role.

What do you think the future holds for BT6? Any plans for the year ahead?

We are extremely excited for the future at BT6; we have broken new ground with our US clients and look forward to growing overseas. Our candidate portal is growing at a rapid rate and we look forward to presenting talent to new clients both at home and overseas, within the regulated sector.

Thanks Holly! You can read more news and articles like this one with Holly Miller, over on the BT6 blog.

On the BT6 Blog, we share advice on how to make the most of the first 5 minutes of your interview

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