Quick, practical article with tips to stand out and make a good impression.
You’ve landed the interview – congratulations! Now don’t blow it with these avoidable mistakes that trip up even the best South African candidates. Here’s what hiring managers see repeatedly, and how to get it right.
Mistake #1: Arriving Late or Too Early
The Problem: Traffic in SA cities is unpredictable, but showing up 45 minutes early makes you look desperate. Arriving late, even by 5 minutes, suggests you can’t manage time.
What Happens: You start the interview flustered, apologetic, or waiting awkwardly in reception while the interviewer scrambles to accommodate you.
The Fix:
- Plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early – not more, not less
- Do a test run the day before to time your journey
- Have a backup plan for load-shedding affecting traffic lights
- Bring the interviewer’s contact number in case of genuine emergencies
- Wait in your car or nearby café if you arrive too early, then enter the building 10 minutes before your appointment
Pro Tip: If you’re genuinely running late due to circumstances beyond your control, call immediately. Most interviewers appreciate the heads-up and will accommodate delays caused by power outages or accidents.
Mistake #2: Not Researching the Company
The Problem: Walking in blind and asking “So, what does your company actually do?” is a guaranteed way to end the interview early.
What Happens: You can’t answer basic questions about the company, struggle to explain why you want to work there, and miss opportunities to connect your skills to their needs.
The Fix: Spend 30 minutes researching:
- Company website (About Us, Services, Recent News)
- LinkedIn company page for recent updates
- Industry challenges they might be facing
- Their competitors and market position
- Recent achievements or expansions
Key things to know:
- What the company does
- Their main products/services
- Recent news or achievements
- Company values and culture
- The role of the department you’re joining
Questions to prepare:
- “I saw you recently expanded to Cape Town – how is that going?”
- “Your focus on sustainability really appeals to me. How does this role contribute to those goals?”
- “What are the biggest challenges facing the company right now?”
Mistake #3: Giving Vague, Generic Answers
The Problem: Responding with meaningless phrases like “I’m a people person” or “I work well under pressure” without backing them up.
What Happens: You sound like every other candidate. Interviewers can’t distinguish you from the crowd or understand what unique value you bring.
The Fix: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result):
Instead of: “I’m good at problem-solving” Say: “In my previous role at Pick n Pay, we had a system crash during Black Friday (Situation). I needed to keep customers happy while transactions were processed manually (Task). I organized the team to handle cash payments efficiently and personally explained the situation to frustrated customers (Action). We maintained sales targets and received several customer compliments for our handling of the crisis (Result).”
Common questions with better answers:
“Tell me about yourself”
- Wrong: “I’m hardworking and reliable”
- Right: “I’m a recent commerce graduate who’s passionate about digital marketing. During my studies, I helped a local restaurant increase their Instagram following by 300% through targeted content campaigns. I’m excited about this role because I want to apply these skills in a larger organization while learning from experienced professionals.”
“Why do you want this job?”
- Wrong: “I need a job and this seems like a good opportunity”
- Right: “I’m drawn to this role because it combines my customer service experience with my interest in technology. Your company’s reputation for innovation and employee development makes it the ideal place for me to grow my career in fintech.”
Mistake #4: Inappropriate Dress or Presentation
The Problem: Misreading the company culture and either overdressing or underdressing for the environment.
What Happens: You stand out for the wrong reasons, making interviewers question your judgment and cultural fit.
The Fix: Default to business professional unless explicitly told otherwise:
- Men: Dark suit, white/light blue shirt, conservative tie, leather shoes
- Women: Business suit, blouse, closed-toe shoes, minimal jewelry
Industry-specific adjustments:
- Banking/Finance/Law: Formal business attire, conservative colors
- Tech/Startups: Smart casual acceptable, but err on the formal side
- Creative industries: Show personality while remaining professional
- Call centers/Retail: Business casual, neat and clean
Universal rules:
- Clothes should fit properly – too tight or loose looks unprofessional
- Iron everything – wrinkled clothes suggest poor attention to detail
- Minimal cologne/perfume – strong scents can be off-putting
- Clean, trimmed nails – interviewers notice these details
- Turn off your phone – not silent, completely off
Grooming checklist:
- Fresh haircut (get it done 2-3 days before)
- Clean, professional hairstyle
- Subtle makeup (if applicable)
- Fresh breath (but avoid chewing gum during the interview)
Mistake #5: Not Asking Good Questions
The Problem: When asked “Do you have any questions for us?” responding with “No, I think you’ve covered everything” or asking about salary and leave days.
What Happens: You appear uninterested in the role or company, and miss the chance to demonstrate your thinking and engagement.
The Fix: Always have 3-5 thoughtful questions prepared:
About the role:
- “What does a typical day look like in this position?”
- “What are the main challenges someone in this role faces?”
- “How is success measured in this position?”
- “What opportunities are there for growth and development?”
About the team/company:
- “How would you describe the company culture?”
- “What do you enjoy most about working here?”
- “How does this department contribute to the company’s overall goals?”
- “What are the company’s plans for the next few years?”
About professional development:
- “What training opportunities are available?”
- “How does the company support career advancement?”
- “Are there mentorship programs?”
Questions to avoid (save for later):
- Salary and benefits (wait for them to bring it up)
- Holiday leave policies
- Working hours (unless relevant to the role)
- When you can expect a promotion
Bonus Tips to Stand Out
Bring extras: Additional copies of your CV, a notepad, and a pen. It shows preparation and professionalism.
Follow up: Send a thank-you email within 24 hours. Keep it brief, reiterate your interest, and mention something specific from the conversation.
Show enthusiasm: South African employers value passion and positive energy. Let your excitement about the opportunity show through your body language and responses.
Be authentic: Don’t try to be someone you’re not. Employers can sense fake enthusiasm or manufactured answers.
Prepare for South African context: Be ready to discuss how you’d handle challenges like load-shedding, diverse teams, or economic uncertainty.
The Day-Of Checklist
Night before:
- ✓ Outfit laid out and ready
- ✓ Documents printed and organized
- ✓ Route planned and timed
- ✓ Questions reviewed
- ✓ Good night’s sleep
Morning of:
- ✓ Healthy breakfast
- ✓ Final grooming check
- ✓ Phone charged and turned off
- ✓ Arrive with time to spare
- ✓ Deep breath and positive mindset
The Bottom Line
Most interview mistakes come down to poor preparation. The candidates who get hired aren’t necessarily the most qualified – they’re the ones who show up prepared, professional, and genuinely interested in the opportunity.
Remember: The interview is a two-way conversation. You’re evaluating them as much as they’re evaluating you. Approach it with confidence, preparation, and authenticity, and you’ll stand out from the crowd.
Your next interview is your chance to shine – don’t let these common mistakes dim your light.
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