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51% of candidates appear arrogant, according to hiring managers.

CareerBuilder recently surveyed more than 2,700 hiring managers to uncover mistakes that some candidates have made in job interviews. Employers interviewed found that 55% of candidates appeared disinterested, 51% appeared arrogant, and 34% did not provide answers that were specific enough.

If you want to gain credibility in your next job interview, it is in your best interest to avoid the following mistakes often made by candidates.

Don’t trivialize your interview or the interviewer

Appearing disinterested or arrogant can be a deal-breaker. To succeed in your next job interview, treat everyone with respect. It does not matter if the interviewer is younger, less experienced, or less knowledgeable than you. Treat that person with the utmost respect – regardless of status or age. Genuinely try to find areas that you have in common so that you can develop rapport.

Pay attention and you might just connect

CareerBuilder found that 46% of candidates answered a cell phone or texted during the interview. How can you possibly connect with the interviewer if you are not fully present? Most interviews start with a preamble by the interviewer about the company. That information will help you answer many questions. In fact, any statement the interviewer makes about the job or corporation can be used to your advantage. Communication is a two-way street. If you are talking too much or not paying attention, you will probably miss important cues and information. Follow the lead of the interviewer and stay on topic. If you dominate the conversation, you will probably miss important information about the job. By listening carefully and providing meaningful answers, you’ll be able to engage in a mutually helpful discussion.

Speak clearly and build rapport with your use of language

Use contractions instead of language that is too formal so that you don’t appear stiff, demanding, or over-practiced. Instead of “I did not create the program, but I did run it.” Say, “I didn’t create the program, but I ran it.” One technique to establishing a rapport with the interviewer is by matching their conversational pace. Be sensitive to the style of the interviewer. If the interviewer speaks slowly, slow down the pace of your answers. Alternatively, if the interviewer speaks quickly, match your speed to theirs. Of course, you must always make sure that you provide your answers clearly and confidently.

Make sure that you understand the question before answering

More than one third of the employers in CareerBuilder’s survey indicated that they did not get specific enough answers. Questions can be tricky, but if the context isn’t clear, you need to know more about a question before giving an answer. In such a situation, you could ask, “Is there a particular aspect of my background that would be most relevant to you?” This will enable the interviewer to help you find the appropriate focus and avoid discussing irrelevancies. Whatever direction your answer ultimately takes, be sure that it has relevance to the business environment you are targeting. Reflect before answering a difficult question. If you are unsure about how to answer a question, you might reply with another question. For example, if the interviewer asks you what salary you expect, try answering by saying “That is a good question. What are you planning to pay your best candidate?” or ‘‘what is the salary range for similar jobs in your company?”

Don’t be uncomfortable if there is a pause in conversation

Sometimes during an interview, “White Air Space” may occur. This is a period of time when the interviewer is not asking a question and the room seems awkwardly silent. Although this situation may feel a little uncomfortable, do not rush to come up with the first words. Silence is Golden. Let the interviewer speak first. It may simply be that the interviewer needs a few moments to come up with their next question or review some details on your resume. Pay attention to details, but don’t tell them more than is necessary. By going on and on, you are much more likely to put your foot in your mouth.

Get the facts right

All the facts you have laid out in your resume, cover letter, and case studies must be stated consistently. Make sure that you know all the details and can discuss them without having to refer to your documents. During your interview, it is likely that questions will come up regarding what you did and when you did it. Study your timelines. Make sure to know the exact start and end dates of all the positions that you have held so that you can answer with clarity and confidence.

Avoid excessive face touching

Most seasoned interviewers know that individuals who consistently touch their face while answering questions may be lying. If you look from side to side or blink often, you just might appear too shifty to believe. Instead, maintain eye contact, but don’t stare down the interviewer. Maintaining eye contact with your interviewer shows your self-confidence. Show him or her that you want the job with your interest and attention.

Ask the right questions and answer the unasked ones

CareerBuilder found that more than one third of candidates did not ask good questions. It is crucial that you create rapport with your interviewer. To do this, you must be prepared to ask questions that will help you understand the position and organization better. It is in your best interest to communicate pertinent information. By asking questions and responding accordingly, you’ll be able to provide your prospective employer with insight about your value. Ask about the job objectives and challenges and discuss how you resolved similar concerns in the past. As you near the end of the interview, if something was still left unsaid, tell the interviewer that you have additional details to share. Taking initiative will strengthen your position as a viable candidate.

Interviewing can be nerve-wracking in the best of situations, but if you do your research, prepare yourself well, and practice, you will have a much better chance of success. No matter what happens during the interview, keep positive, answer truthfully, and ask questions when you need to learn more. You’ll find that you’ll connect with the employers and create a meaningful and effective two-way-conversation instead of an interrogation.

Learn about how you can handle inappropriate interview questions: http://www.grahammanagement.com/Things_GMGArticles_HandlingInappropriateQuestions.xpg

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