You finally land the interview and excitement rapidly turns to nerves. “What if I freeze?” “What if I say the wrong thing?” “What if I’m not good enough?”
Let’s face it, interviews are stressful for everyone.
And without the right preparation, even the most experienced candidates can fall into common traps.
At The Communications Clinic, we’ve helped hundreds of people prepare for and walk into interviews with confidence.
In this post, we break down the Top 3 interview mistakes we see time and time again, and how you can avoid them with a practical, confidence-building process.
Mistake #1: Preparing in the wrong way
Problem:
Some candidates believe they should “just be themselves” and “keep it real”. But that often leads to rambling answers, missing key points, and a confused interview panel.
Solution:
Preparation doesn’t turn you into a robot - it makes you empathetic, clear, confident and able to flex to the panel's questions. Research the company, forensically study the job description, and prepare examples that are based on clear evidence that you have the skill they need you to prove.
Tip:
The only way to prepare for a verbal interaction is to prepare verbally. Talk to a friend, talk to a colleague, talk to us. But just talk. Doing this will help manage your nerves and help your responses flow naturally.
Mistake #2: Underselling yourself
Problem:
Lots of people we work with downplay their achievements - or don’t mention them at all. Especially the "informal" ones. They say vague things like, “I was involved with that project” or “I was part of the team that delivered it”. They might leave out the fact that they stepped up to do the job already (when a colleague was on leave, for example). When we ask why, they’ll say they don’t want to come across as arrogant or "full of themselves".
Solution:
This entire process is about evidence and presenting objective facts to the interviewer. If you’ve done it well, own it. Get specific. Use clear action verbs (led, created, decided, improved). Include metrics and scale. Focus on the role you played in contributing to a positive outcome.
Tip:
Make a list of the stand-out accomplishments in your career that are relevant to this role. It’s not arrogance - it’s evidence.
Mistake #3: Not nailing the “Tell Us About Yourself” question
Problem:
Most interviews kick off with some version of this seemingly simple opener. Yet it’s one of the most stressful parts for many candidates. Its broad, open-ended structure often leads to nervous rambling, a learned-off-by-heart CV recital, or - the biggest misstep - failing to connect the answer to the role, the interviewer, or the organisation. That means missing a golden opportunity to make a strong, tailored first impression.
Solution:
Treat this question as your chance to pitch yourself directly into the role. You can prepare it in advance - when you’re clear on what the role requires and how you can add value - and be ready on the day to give the interviewer a clear, concise and confident summary of your relevant experience to date and key achievements - all tailored to the role. And in two minutes or less.
Think of it as answering: “Why are you the right person for this role now?”
Tip:
We work every day with clients to craft, refine, and deliver an impactful pitch that sounds honest and authentic - not scripted. The aim is simple: to make a clear, confident, and compelling first impression within the first 90 seconds - that often sets the tone for the entire interview.