Job interview coming up? Avoid these five deadly sins

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Between mass layoffs and the new demand for top talent in fields like artificial intelligence, many Americans are having «new job» interviews for the first time in a long time.

There is no shortage of interview advice out there – from academia to recruiting firms. Common tropes like «dress for success» and «show up on time» are a dime a dozen and not particularly insightful. And, with AI-driven screening systems all the rage in 2024, job-seekers are loading up their resumes with buzzwords to showcase their skills (real or not).

Awhile back, I wrote a book with the help of the senior partners at one of the country’s top five executive recruiting firms. For the book, I interviewed nearly 40 partners, asking about the make-or-break factors in «final round» interviews. Their advice is just as true today.

What are the make-or-break factors in «final round» interviews? (iStock / iStock)

The truth is that, from the beginning, much of the candidate screening process is designed to eliminate candidates who won’t ever make it to the finals. Responses to job postings are designed to figure out who to drop from consideration. 

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Once you are identified as a serious candidate, you advance to half-days or full days of interviews with more senior interviewers. The employer has already concluded that you can do the job exceptionally well, but so can others – the focus is on the best fit for the firm.

So you haven’t crossed the finish line yet. Unique deadly sins exist at this end