5 Things Interviewers Hate

If a potential employer calls you for an interview, you've already got one foot in the door. Give yourself a leg up by avoiding these 5 interview pitfalls:

1. Not enough information.
Sure, it's important to keep your answers brief and to the point, but not providing enough information can leave interviewers feeling exasperated. Don't just give 'yes' or 'no' answers. Show your true self by offering full, complete answers to questions.

2. Too much information.
OK. Here's the flip side: while interviewers don't want responses that are too short, they don't want to hear you ramble on either. The key is to make your answers clear, concise and, above all, relevant to the questions asked.

3. Tardiness.
Employers want to sense that you are reliable and trustworthy. Make your first impression a positive one by showing up on time. Give yourself ample time to find the interview site and avoid traffic delays.

4. Bad smells.
It may seem obvious enough, but are you aware of how your smell affects other people? For instance, wearing too much cologne or smoking a cigarette prior to your interview can be very distracting not to mention downright irritating to your potential employer.

5. Dodging questions.
Sometimes, interviewers ask tough questions. By avoiding questions or providing only answers you think interviewers want to hear, you risk coming across as false and insincere. Employers want to a sense of the true you; you can be tactful and still be honest.