Top 10 mistakes you must AVOID in a job interview

The best way to avoid the most common and dangerous interview mistakes is to think ahead and decide not to make them.Read on for a whistle-stop tour of the top ten interview clingers!

1. Lying

It is tempting to lie but strangely it doesn't work.By all means gloss over the unflattering things, however refrain from out-right fibbing.

2. Slating your current company or boss
Fed up with your current job and would give anything to leave because they've treated you badly?
Your job interview is NOT the time to seek revenge.Bear in mind that the interviewer will be listening to your answers and thinking about what it would be like to work with youHence any negative or casual remark about previous boss or employer may be interpreted as your "standard" way of thinking and will give a wrong impression.

3. Being rude, overtly friendly


As a thumb rule, always avoid cracking jokes about sensitive topics and or being too "pally" with the interviewer: polite and friendly is enough.If you find you were accidentally rude, then apologize calmly and genuinely and move on with the interview.At all times, stay professional.

4. Appearing too nervous, or too confident


Hiring decisions are often made within the first few minutes of the interview basis the first impressions.
Hence, if you appear too nervous they'll think you're not confident enough to do the job.However, appearing too confident will make them think you won't fit into the team.If interview nerves are an issue for you, it's worth getting practical help from a professional coach..

5. Not being prepared


Re-read the relevant version of your CV and what strengths you bring to the job.Job seekers often can't remember what they wrote on their CV or have not done enough homework about the company, job description and interviewer.Always carry relevant documents to aid the job interview.

6. Complaining


The journey to the interview location may have been a nightmare -- maybe you thought the metro/subway would never arrive, or the road traffic seemed endless.However, the interviewer doesn't want to know that!
Complaining, even in jest, is not a recommended icebreaker.It may be completely harmless, or it might simply make the interviewer switch off.Don't let complaining set the tone for the interview!

7. Talking about people you don't get on with at work

These days, it's common to be asked how you deal with conflict.Companies realise the importance of interpersonal relationships in the working environment.So if they ask you about difficult people or situations make sure you hold back from character assassination and blaming others for problems because it won't do you any favours!
If you accidentally do "break" this rule, apologise and explain what you "really" mean.

8. Making a weak first impression


No matter how hard the interviewer tries, a lot of "don't want to hire them" decisions are made in the first few minutes of contact.If you make a strong first impression, the interviewer will be more inclined to overlook "imperfections" in your answers.

9. Not having researched the company


As a general rule, the more famous the brand, the more they will expect you to have done your homework.
Researching the company, its business and its key competitors shows you're serious about the job.

10. Putting your foot in it and not noticing



We often tend to say what is often misconstrued.It doesn't really matter what you intended. What counts is how the other person reacts.So what can you do?Be prepared to simply say "sorry, that's not what I meant!"This requires you to actually be paying attention to the interviewer, rather than your own thoughts and feelings.Once you've apologised, leave it there, take a deep breath to help you relax and move on with the job interview.

From Handsome to Hot

Jenna Talackova creates history after becoming the first transgendered Miss Universe contestant.



1. The Miss Universe pageant has changed its rules and has allowed transgender women to take part in all of its competitions following follows a media outcry over the disqualification of Canadian contestant Jenna Talackova from the Miss Universe Canada contest because she was not a "naturally born female."



2. Talackova 23, who underwent gender reassignment surgery when she was 19, was reinstated to the Canadian competition by businessman Donald Trump, who owns the Miss Universe organization. Talackova has a Canadian passport, driver's license and other documents that identify her as a woman.


3. The winner of that contest, who ultimately will be crowned on May 19 in Toronto, will go on to represent Canada in the global Miss Universe Pageant later in the year.



4. Transgendered contestant Jenna Talackova takes part in Miss Universe Canada competition while wearing her bikini in Toronto May 17, 2012.



 5. Transgendered contestant Jenna Talackova takes part in Miss Universe Canada competition in Toronto May 17, 2012.



Transgendered contestant Jenna Talackova takes part in Miss Universe Canada competition while wearing her bikini in Toronto May 17, 2012.


Transgendered contestant Jenna Talackova (2nd R) takes part in Miss Universe Canada competition while wearing her bikini in Toronto May 17, 2012. Talackova was originally disqualified from the Miss Universe Canada contest because she was not a "naturally born female".



Transgendered contestant Jenna Talackova (L) takes part in Miss Universe Canada competition in Toronto May 17, 2012.



Talackova, 23, was kicked out of the Miss Universe Canada competition after she was selected as one of 65 finalists. In throwing her out, pageant organizers accused Talackova of having "falsified her application when she said she was born female," adding that the 



Her disqualification had then sparked commentary on the Internet and cable television news shows about the boundaries of gender identification, civil liberties and the rights of private organizations to set their own rules.