If your resume has successfully made it through the applicant tracking software (ATS) and you’ve received a call for an interview, congratulations! This indicates that your resume resonates with hiring managers and aligns well with the required skills and expertise for the position.

While you begin preparing for this crucial interview, an important point to always remember is that ‘your job interview starts even before you sit down.’ Research shows that hiring managers form critical impressions within the first few minutes of meeting candidates.

To help you make a positive and strong impact during the initial moments of your interview, we’ve listed below 7 red flags interviewers watch during this crucial window and provided actionable solutions on how you can avoid them successfully.

Arriving Late Without Prior Communication

Being late for your job interview depicts unprofessionalism. Not only does this reveal your poor ability to manage time, but it also shows a lack of respect for the interviewer’s time and schedule.

How to Avoid This

Prioritize punctuality. Always arrive at the venue 10-15 minutes in advance. You must plan your trip by taking into account road traffic, parking challenges, and navigation time beforehand. In case an emergency occurs, call immediately to explain your situation and ask to reschedule the interview professionally.

Poor Body Language

Exude confidence and professionalism when you walk into the interview room. Poor posture, an inability to maintain eye contact, and a weak handshake can create an impression of low confidence or disinterest. Remember, hiring managers are quick to assess your body language and nonverbal communication skills.

How to Avoid This

When you walk into the room, initiate a firm handshake, maintain steady eye contact, and sit upright. Smile genuinely and match the interviewer’s energy level to build rapport quickly.

Inappropriate Attire

Do not dress too casually or unprofessionally. This only suggests that you don’t take this opportunity seriously. Even if the company culture is somewhat casual, always make the effort to dress professionally and appropriately.

How to Avoid This

Always research the company culture beforehand. Even if you’re in doubt, dress one level above the workplace standard. Ensure your clothes are clean, crisp, and fit properly. Also, avoid strong fragrances, excessive jewelry, and distracting accessories.

Not Being Prepared Enough

Preparing for your job interview is an integral step; the absence of which can cause you to lose the opportunity. According to Harvard Business Review, 20% of hiring managers consider a lack of preparation a huge red flag. In a number of situations, candidates have walked into interviews without adequate preparation. This, in most cases, has led them to panic, ramble, and provide unnecessary information.

How to Avoid This

Take the time out to study the company website, read through recent news or press releases, and take note of their key services and products. Practice how you will respond to questions regarding your experience and make notes of how you have positively contributed to your current role. Also, prepare thoughtful questions to demonstrate your knowledge and interest in learning about specific company initiatives or challenges.

Being Dishonest

Candidates being dishonest during interviews is uncommon. Sometimes, candidates can present obvious lies related to job roles and titles, and at other times, this dishonesty prevails in conversations that may seem inauthentic and made up. Recruiters and hiring managers run multiple checks to tally information written on an applicant’s resume, their social media, and what they present during the interview. Any contradicting information can immediately ruin your chances of selection.

How to Avoid This

Don’t try to paint a positive image that is built on inauthentic information. Be open, honest, and realistic about your expertise and experience. Incorporate honest information in your resume and discuss tasks, responsibilities, and achievements that you actually achieved.

Negative Talk About Previous Employers

You will achieve nothing by engaging in negative conversations about your former bosses, colleagues, or companies. Rather, this will be taken in a bad light, with hiring managers reflecting on how you would paint your experiences with their organization in the future.

How to Avoid This

Put negative incidents aside and frame your previous experiences positively by focusing on what you learned rather than bringing up details about workplace conflicts. If you’re asked why, you are leaving your current job, talk about positive career prospects and growth opportunities.

Poor Communication Skills

Preparation is key. Unnecessary rambling, excessive use of filler words (such as umm, like, you know), or the inability to articulate your thoughts clearly leave a poor impression and create doubts about your professional capabilities.

How to Avoid This

Practice common interview questions beforehand using the STAR method (situation, task, action, result). Listen and pause before answering, to gather your thoughts and structure them in an appropriate manner. Avoid speaking too fast, too loud, or too softly – speak clearly at a moderate pace so the interviewers are able to understand you well.

The Bottom Line

The first few minutes are crucial. Impressions created in this short but integral period are of great significance and often permanent. Use this window to position yourself as a polished professional who is worthy of consideration. Remain mindful of how you present yourself and communicate your story. Your interview success is a combination of the efforts you put in during preparation and the genuine enthusiasm you hold for the opportunity ahead.