NOW that you know that you have to be well prepared and well dressed for an interview, what’s next?

"There are just some things you just shouldn’t do at a job interview. "

Well, it’s a given that you have to be on your best behaviour when it comes to a job interview but some people don’t realise or seriously don’t get that there are some things you just shouldn’t do during an interview. Here are 10 essential things to take note of:

The name game
Remember your interviewer’s name and don’t call him or her some other name. That’s plain common sense. And don’t name drop either – it might just work against you if you happen to mention someone your interviewer doesn’t like.

Food faux pas
No gum, drinks, snacks, buns, muffins, etc. No food, period. Seriously, nobody wants to watch you eat or wait for you to answer in-between you stuffing your face.

Phone etiquette
Don’t ever answer your cell phone during an interview. Either turn it off or don’t take it in. Putting it on silent mode might not work as some phones have a vibration mode that buzzes loudly.

Don’t bitch
Whether you’re upset about the frosty reception the company receptionist gave you or about your former employer(s), resist the urge to trash these people. You’ll come off as a whiner, a troublemaker or a malcontent.

Cuss fuss
It’s absolutely inappropriate to swear. You should know better than to use foul language in a business place, be it a mild “damn”, one of the b-words or God forbid, the F-bomb. Your momma taught you manners, right? So act like she did then.

Smug thug
You can be a multiple-A scorer but if you act like you’re superior and therefore indispensable, you can kiss the job goodbye. No one wants to hire a bossy brat or condescending cow.

Don’t grovel
Okay, so you really, really want to work in that company but that doesn’t mean you have to throw your dignity out the window. No begging for the job – that’s just pathetic.

Bad promises
Never, ever, ever promise something you’re not capable of delivering and most importantly, don’t promise you’ll do anything as long as they hire you. That will so come back to haunt you one day – “But you said you’d do anything …” Think about it – do you want to be the janitor and tea lady as well?

Personal pitfalls
There are some things you should keep to yourself. Your interviewer does not need to know about your social life, your childhood trauma and whatever else about your personal life. Remember to stay focused and answer the questions the best you can without divulging too much.

Sealed lips
Okay, so you’re trying to avoid rambling on about the unnecessary but that doesn’t mean you should keep silent throughout the entire interview. Sure, there are some things you need to keep to yourself, like your addiction to Facebook and blogging for instance, but you have to be as responsive as you can and ask your own questions as well.