Are you guilty of these job interview faux pas?

Looking for a new job is no easy task. In addition to polishing up your resume and LinkedIn profile, you have to look your best and do research on prospective employers. While it might be tempting to “wing it” you’ll be far better off planning ahead.

Simple mistakes can put you out of the job running almost immediately. Here are three of the most common interview-related faux pas:

Arriving late. If you show up late to your job interview, how can an employer trust you to show up to work on time? You don’t have to show up an hour early, but you do want to give yourself plenty of time to arrive on the day of your interview. This means looking for directions, waking up early and making sure that you arrive between 10 and 15 minutes prior to your appointment. This will give you a few minutes to collect your thoughts and calm your nerves.

Looking unprepared. Dozens of candidates are vying for the same position you are. If you want to stand out from the crowd, do your research. Know what the company is about; how long they’ve been around for; what their culture and mission statement is like. Ideally, you’ll be joining this company’s workforce, make sure you know as much about them as possible.

Making it all about you. During your interview, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions but remember: it’s not all about you. A working relationship is mutually beneficial; there is give and take. You don’t want to look selfish or unwilling to work with a team.

By doing a little bit of extra research and truly preparing, you’re far more likely to ace your next interview. Good luck and have fun!