25 Interview Mistakes to Avoid in 2025

(And What to Do Instead)

Interviews can be nerve-wracking, but they’re also an opportunity to make a lasting impression on potential employers. However, some missteps can cost you the job. To help you ace your interviews, here are 25 pitfalls to avoid, along with tips on what to do instead.

1. Arriving Late

What not to do: Showing up late to an interview gives the impression that you’re unorganized or don’t value the interviewer’s time. It simply is rude.

What to do instead: Plan to arrive at least 10-15 minutes early. Factor in potential traffic delays or other unforeseen circumstances. Punctuality demonstrates professionalism and respect.

2. Dressing Too Casually

What not to do: Wearing overly casual or inappropriate attire can signal a lack of seriousness about the role.

What to do instead: Research the company’s dress code and aim to dress professionally, or ask the interviewer how to dress. For most interviews, business attire is the safest choice unless otherwise specified.

3. Neglecting Company Research

What not to do: Going into an interview without knowing about the company or the role can make you appear uninterested.

What to do instead: Familiarize yourself with the company’s mission, values, and recent achievements. Prepare thoughtful questions that reflect your knowledge.

4. Speaking Negatively About Past Employers

What not to do: Criticizing previous employers or coworkers makes you come across as unprofessional and could raise red flags.

What to do instead: Focus on what you learned from past experiences, even challenging ones. Speak diplomatically and avoid blame. Companies are looking for people who can solve problems in a constructive way.

5. Memorizing Generic Answers

What not to do: Giving canned, rehearsed answers makes the conversation feel robotic and inauthentic. Avoid answers like “My biggest weakness is that I work too hard” or “I am a perfectionist.”

What to do instead: Personalize your responses with examples from your experiences. Be genuine but concise. When it comes to weaknesses, show how you are addressing them.

6. Expressing You Will Take Any Job You Can Get

What not to do: Saying you’ll take any job you can get can make you seem unfocused, unprepared, and desperate. It also sends a message that if something better comes along, you will most likely leave.

What to do instead: Show enthusiasm for the role by explaining how your skills and experience align with the position.

7. Interrupting the Interviewer

What not to do: Cutting off the interviewer can come across as rude or overly eager.

What to do instead: Listen actively and wait for your turn to speak. Show respect by allowing the interviewer to finish their thoughts.

8. Focusing Solely on Yourself

What not to do: Talking exclusively about your needs—like salary, benefits, or perks—without addressing how you can contribute to the company.

What to do instead: Companies want to know what you can do for them. Balance the conversation by discussing how your skills can solve their challenges and meet their needs.

9. Failing to Adapt to Virtual Interviews

What not to do: Ignoring common virtual interview etiquette, like ensuring a quiet setting or good lighting.

What to do instead: Test your technology beforehand and choose a professional background. We all have a tendency to look at the person interviewing us on the screen; instead, maintain eye contact by looking into the camera. Make sure no one will interrupt, including pets.

10. Being Overly Humble

What not to do: Downplaying your achievements can make it hard for the interviewer to see your value.

What to do instead: Speak confidently about your skills and accomplishments. Use evidence to back up your claims without sounding boastful.

11. Oversharing Personal Details

What not to do: Sharing too much personal information, like family issues or unrelated hobbies, can come across as unprofessional.

What to do instead: Focus on relevant experiences and achievements. Keep personal details minimal and professional.

12. Avoiding Eye Contact

What not to do: Failing to maintain eye contact may make you appear disinterested or untrustworthy.

What to do instead: Engage with the interviewer by maintaining natural eye contact. This demonstrates confidence and attentiveness.

13. Not Preparing Questions

What not to do: Saying “I don’t have any questions” when asked if you have queries signals a lack of curiosity or enthusiasm.

What to do instead: Prepare thoughtful questions about the role, team, company culture, or opportunities for growth. It shows you’re genuinely interested.

14. Checking Your Phone

What not to do: Glancing at your phone during an interview is a huge no-no.

What to do instead: Turn off your phone or leave it on silent and out of sight to give the interviewer your full attention.

15. Talking Too Much

What not to do: Providing long, unfocused answers and rambling might confuse or frustrate the interviewer.

What to do instead: Practice delivering concise yet impactful responses. Stay on topic and avoid unnecessary details.

16. Failing to Express Enthusiasm

What not to do: Appearing bored or indifferent may lead the recruiter to assume you’re not interested in the role.

What to do instead: Show genuine enthusiasm for the position. Smiling and using positive language can make a big difference.

17. Using Jargon Unnecessarily

What not to do: Overloading your answers with technical terms can make you seem impersonal or hard to understand.

What to do instead: Use simple, clear language unless industry-specific terms are absolutely necessary.

18. Avoiding Role-Specific Skills

What not to do: Failing to mention or demonstrate the skills required for the position shows a lack of preparation.

What to do instead: Tailor your responses to align with the job description. Highlight your relevant expertise.

19. Bringing Up Controversial Opinions

What not to do: Discussing polarizing topics irrelevant to the job could lead to an awkward situation.

What to do instead: Keep the conversation professional and focused on the role.

20. Overlooking Body Language

What not to do: Avoiding a firm handshake, slouching, or fidgeting can leave a poor impression.

What to do instead: Sit up straight, offer a firm handshake, and use open body language to convey confidence. Lean in to show active listening.

21. Talking Too Much About Money

What not to do: Making salary expectations the focal point of the conversation can seem premature or unprofessional.

What to do instead: Wait until the interviewer brings up salary or tactfully discuss it when appropriate.

22. Not Aligning with the Company’s Values

What not to do: Showing a lack of understanding of the company’s mission may raise compatibility concerns.

What to do instead: Research their values and explain how your own values align with theirs.

23. Using Filler Words Excessively

What not to do: Overusing “um,” “like,” or “you know” makes you seem unprepared or nervous.

What to do instead: Practice mock interviews to minimize filler words and speak more confidently.

24. Ignoring Feedback

What not to do: Dismissing constructive feedback from the interviewer can come off as arrogant.

What to do instead: Respond gracefully to feedback and show a willingness to improve.

25. Forgetting to Follow Up

What not to do: Neglecting to send a thank-you note after the interview might come across as ungrateful.

What to do instead: Follow up with a short, polite email thanking the interviewer and reiterating your interest.

Shape Your Success

Mistakes happen—even in interviews. However, by avoiding these common pitfalls and focusing on presenting the best version of yourself, you can drastically improve your chances of nailing your next interview. Every interview is a learning opportunity. Mistakes happen—learn from them and move on.