The 12 Worst Things You Can Do During a Job Interview

If you arrive too early, you may be viewed as being too much trouble. A well-managed work environment runs on a tight schedule. In between scheduled meetings, a manager or executive still has to get the job done in addition to meeting with you; he or she doesn’t need the added stress of having someone showing up early for an interview waiting in the lobby while juggling a dozen tasks and trying to fit you in. Showing up late, however, is pretty much a deal-breaker, and you've already shot yourself in the foot before you’ve even stepped foot in the office. If you can't show up on time for an interview, this does not bode well for your future performance as an employee.

For more tips to prepare yourself, see the 10 things you should always do before a job interview.

A job interview can be a nerve-wracking affair so it's important to be comfortable — but that doesn't mean you should present yourself in a ripped pair of your favourite jeans or tight yoga pants. And try to stay away from super loose fitting attire like oversized untucked collar shirts and ill-fitted suits. On the flip side, over-dressing is also a no-no; this isn't a ball, so Cinderella-style gowns or a top hat and tails are to be avoided.

Not sure how to dress to impress? We've got the best advice from accomplished women on dressing for success.

Any of the best employers frowns upon an interviewee playing the blame game about any employment issues, and you’ll instantly be labeled a complainer. If you bad-mouth your previous boss, your interviewer recognizes you’ll likely be doing the same with your new one — if you get the job, and you probably won’t. If it's a team environment you'll appear catty, and difficult to work with. You're not going to get sympathy, no matter how much you feel you deserve it. Best to just put a positive spin on your previous work situations and that positivity will go a long way in helping you secure your next job.

It's not all about you. Believe it or not, the company you're interviewing with will ask you questions above and beyond your job experience. They'll want to know how your experience will fit with the role and their company, and if you haven't done a thorough search on the company website, anticipated possible interview questions related to the position, and prepared questions to ask, you'll look completely uninterested — and the interviewer will be just as uninterested in you.

No one's perfect, so why are you professing to be? If you don't know or can't admit to any workplace weaknesses you'll never grow in any role, and your employer will see that. Also, a response like this is just so boring and cliché. We'll beg to differ that there's not one experienced hiring manager on earth who hasn't heard this one. You want to stand out from the crowd of candidates, but how can you when half of them are giving the same answer? You can expect to hear this question on any job interview, so try to come up with some deficiencies that you can share in a positive light, as areas about yourself you’d like to improve in your new position.

Don't be like these people: bosses of Reddit reveal their worst interview moments.

Showing up for a job interview while half-in-the bag seems almost ridiculous to put this on this list, yet it has been known to happen. When a person's nerves take control, sometimes they'll do just about anything to calm them. However, instead of a shot or two of tequila, maybe try these more productive ways to combat stress like a little yoga or meditation instead. At the same time, showing up hung-over and reeking from last night’s after-hours party is surely to end in a short and not-so-sweet interview. Similarly, if it's a lunch meeting and your interviewer is having a few drinks, don’t follow suit. Stick with one spritzer — slurring is never a good look during a job interview.

Checking your email or even interrupting the interview to answer a phone call is the height of rudeness during a job interview. Could a text message, phone call, or Facebook friend request be more important than nailing an interview and possibly landing one of the biggest career moves of your life? Let's hope your answer is no, and if it is, then make plenty sure you turn your phone off before you enter the lobby to announce your arrival. If you want to show your interviewers that your time is more important than theirs, then go ahead, answer that call, and chat away as you're ushered out the door.

You want to seem highly interested during an interview while at the same time not appearing desperate. Too many questions could seem like you're hijacking the interview and may also put your interviewer on the defensive. No questions, or too few make you look less than attentive, unimaginative and even a bit of a bore. Like a one-size fits all resume and cover letter, generic questions are also something to avoid when interviewing as you come across as someone who really doesn't understand the role or company. Do some research and have some good, solid questions ready.

Looking your best and presenting a warm smile are two of the three first impressions that your would-be employer will judge you on. The final and equally important is the handshake. A firm handshake denotes a serious job-hunter, a person of consequence, someone who's confident. A “wet fish” wimpy shake, on the other hand, reveals a timid individual and less impressive career seeker. When studies show that interviewers typically make a decision about a candidate within the first two to three minutes into an interview, first impressions are an almighty part of the process and set the tone for the rest of the interview.

"I'm sorry, is there somewhere else you need to be other than here?" That's the impression you give if you're constantly glancing at your watch while in an interview. It may be a nervous tic, or you're worried about picking up the kids or getting the train on time, but this is a job interview faux pas that must be avoided at all costs. Giving yourself plenty of time before and after the meeting is part of the whole process.

See more: these are the best jobs for lazy people.

F-bombs in the business world don't come off as kosher with colleagues you work with everyday, so why on earth would someone think it's OK during a job interview. The same holds true with the roles reversed. Even if the interviewer is throwing out profanities, don’t follow suit. Always keep your language professional and PG. See 10 more things you should watch out for during a job interview.

We all want to stretch the truth a little when up against a host of other candidates for a job, and, frankly, it's OK to puff out your chest a little. However, improperly promoting yourself or describing yourself an expert at something when you're not only sets you up to fail. If you need to over-embellish throughout the entire interview process, it's a serious red flag that this is probably not the job for you.

Now that you're ready for your interview, check out these red flags that will tell you if you shouldn't take the job.