How you perform in job interviews is arguably the most important factor in determining whether or not you secure the job you want. This is particularly true for junior professionals, whose limited job-specific experience can mean interview performance is the key differentiator between candidates competing for the same role. There are five key mistakes commonly made by most professionals in job interviews that instantly disadvantage them.

1. Not adequately researching the organization they are being interviewed by

While it seems like a basic step to undertake when looking for jobs, we still see a number of candidates who don't properly do their due diligence on the company they're applying to work for. It is vitally important for candidates to be able to talk confidently and intelligently about what their potential employer does. You should be able to recite specific facts about the organization, including: their history, financial position, mission, products or services, the market in which they operate and their main competitors.

2. Giving generic explanations on why they like the role or company they are applying to

When asked why they like the role or company they are applying for, many candidates we have met give very generic and unconvincing answers. This gives the impression that they are looking for any role in their industry as opposed to that particular job, which is a turn-off to employers. To avoid this, you need to be enthusiastic and talk specifically about what aspects of the role or organization appeal to you.

3. Not knowing their CV in detail

Many candidates can be guilty of not knowing their CV in detail and being ill-equipped to answer questions on the information they have supplied. Don't assume that just because the information is in your CV, interviewers won't ask questions about your background, including your responsibilities in previous roles and educational results. Instead, you should review your CV before your interview and practice how you will respond to any potential questions on the details you've provided.

4. Speaking negatively about previous employers or roles

We've seen many candidates ruin their job prospects by making derogatory remarks about their current or previous employers and experiences. This is absolutely inexcusable. You should never talk negatively about a previous (or current) company, manager or role. Try to find the positive aspects of your employment history and focus on these instead. In particular, some contractors can also be too honest regarding their situation and why they are considering a contract.

5. Being too familiar with the interviewer

This is a behavior commonly displayed by some candidates, especially the more inexperienced ones. We see that many fall into the trap of being too familiar with their interviewer/s, which is inappropriate in a job interview. While it's important for you to be charismatic and demonstrate your interpersonal skills, you must always conduct yourself with professionalism, even if you feel you have a good rapport with the interviewer.

(Contact yangning@chinadaily.com.cn for questions and career advice)

Contributed by Edward Wang, manager of Commerce Finance Department at Robert Walters Talent Consulting Ltd Shanghai Office

(China Daily 10/25/2011 page16)