Question of the week: What’s the biggest mistake someone could make in an interview?

[JoeSorge]

So often I'm interviewing someone for a position. It doesn't matter at what level, but they rarely are very good at interviewing. I'm always left feeling that it's up to me to pull the information out of them. And while that does sometimes lead to a great hire, it's just one of many common mistakes that people make when interviewing. What do you think is the biggest mistake someone could make in an interview?

A little twist after a few replies. :)

[Brew]

I think one of the biggest mistakes is if you don't talk about why they want to leave their previous employment. Or, if they are unemployed, ask them what they didn't like about their last place.
Often bad personality traits can jump right out here. 9 times out of 10, if the person starts bashing their previous employers, you may just be added to that list at their next interview (once they quit or you fire them).

[ChrisReimer]

I agree with Brew - lack of diplomacy in describing why one left a previous job is a deal killer. I've done it myself. I've revealed way too much in an interview, and even for a job I was perfectly qualified for, I lost out. They probably thought, "This guy's nuts. We don't need that on our team." If you're combative, boastful, too shy, or the like, the interviewer will likely be unable to envision you on their team.

[SteffanAntonas]

I'm going to have to agree with Joe. Showing up to an interview without having done your homework is probably the biggest mistake. If the candidate can't clearly answer questions like "why this position", "why this company" and "why now" it makes it an uncomfortable conversation where they interviewer is pulling information and talking more than the candidate. It ruins the dynamic from the get-go.

[MarkM]

I think that its a big mistake (though not as big as lack of preparation) to just focus on the answers and not have your own questions to ask. The interviewer is really trying to get a feel for how much you care. If you care enough, you can overcome alot of obstacles! My favorite question for the interviewer - stolen from "The Power of Who" by Bob Beuaford - is, "If I hit a home run with this job, what will I have accomplished in a years time?"

[interactive_218]

The biggest mistake someone could make in an interview is lack of preparation to answer SteffanAntonas' questions, but also I think the candidate should ask the right questions about the employer to show interest and motivation.