Workforce Guides

During a job interview, making an excellent impression on the interviewers is your ultimate goal. While it is important to present your professional qualifications and experience in a confident, clearly-stated manner, displaying any nervous habits while interviewing can potentially detract from your overall image.

While feeling nervous during an interview is natural, it is vital you try to minimize any obvious tics and twitches that might lessen the interviewer’s perception of you. Let’s take a closer look at what habits to keep to a minimum while on a job interview.

Don’t Speak too Fast when answering Questions

Be sure not to talk too fast during an interview. It is important to speak clearly when articulating your answers to the interviewer’s questions. Before each answer, take a deep but silent breath, and collect your thoughts before continuing with your response.

Watch Out for the “Filler” Words

Don’t sprinkle filler words like “umm,” “you know,” and “like” when answering questions. It gives the impression that you are a poor communicator. Spending some pre-interview time practicing with a friend is a great way to filter the filler out of your responses.

Don’t avoid Eye Contact with the Interviewer

It is vital you consistently make eye contact with the interviewer(s). Looking away or starting at the floor when answering doesn’t give a good impression, and is sometimes associated with dishonesty. Once again, pre-interview practice is a great way to get rid of this bad interview habit.

Keep any Fidgeting to a Minimum

Fidgeting is generally a coping mechanism for nervousness, and it usually gives a poor impression during an interview. So don’t play with your hair and never tap your foot incessantly. Those nervous habits can actually draw attention away from your interview responses.

Spending some time practicing before your interview goes a long way in lessening the bad habits that detract from your interview performance.

If you need any additional advice on interviewing for a job or career development, talk to the experts at PrideStaff Houston. As one of the leading staffing agencies in the Houston area, we have the knowledgeable recruiters able to take your career to the next level. Schedule a meeting with us today!