In Malta’s job market, even experienced professionals can miss out on opportunities because of avoidable interview mistakes. When you're aiming to move into a new or more senior role, small missteps, like poor preparation, unclear answers, or a drop in professional tone, can raise red flags. Knowing what hiring managers watch for and what to avoid can be the difference between moving forward or being rejected.
This article breaks down the most common interview mistakes and gives you clear, practical tips to avoid them.
Mistakes in Preparation
Inadequate Research on the Company
One of the most common mistakes is showing up with only surface-level knowledge of the company. Generic answers signal a lack of interest or preparation, and in Malta’s professional scene, that won’t go unnoticed.
Employers expect you to know the company’s website, products, services and values. Taking time to review your interviewers’ backgrounds can also help you build rapport during the conversation. Solid research, such as looking at any articles on the company’s site or news on the media helps you give clear, confident answers to questions like “Why do you want to work here?” and shows you’re genuinely invested in the role.
In Malta, it’s also important to consider the company’s culture when preparing. For less formal workplaces, smart casual attire may be appropriate, while a suit is expected in more corporate environments. Candidates should also be aware that if a role requires Maltese language skills, talking during the entire interview in English only could create distance with the interviewer.
Not Tailoring Your Examples to the Role
Another common slip-up is relying on outdated or off-topic examples when talking about past experience. Employers want to see how your skills match the role they’re hiring for, so your examples need to be relevant, recent, and tied to the job description.
For senior roles, we, Konnekt recruiters, advise candidates to focus on impact, instead of job responsibilities. For example, simply saying you managed a payments team is not enough for a COO position. Instead, highlight broader contributions, such as leading cross-functional projects, improving reporting efficiency, or achieving KPIs. This demonstrates strategic influence and leadership, which are critical for senior positions.
For more tips, check out our article on preparation for the interview .
Overpreparing and Sounding Scripted
Preparation matters, but memorising answers word for word can work against you. Over-rehearsed responses often sound insincere.
A better approach is to practise speaking naturally: rehearse out loud, record yourself, or run mock interviews with someone you trust. This kind of prep helps you stay confident and clear, while still sounding like yourself.
Mistakes Made during the Job Interview
Poor First Impressions
First impressions are powerful and difficult to undo. Showing up late, dressing poorly, or seeming distracted during a virtual interview can all work against you. At the same time, leaning too far in the other direction, being overly formal, stiff, or scripted, can make you seem unnatural. The strongest impression comes from balance: professional, polished, and respectful, but also approachable and genuine.
Aim to arrive at least 15 minutes early for in-person interviews, or make sure your online setup is quiet, well-lit, and free of distractions. Nonverbal cues count too: steady eye contact, a confident handshake, and focused body language all reinforce your professionalism.
Weak Self-Introduction
The question “Tell me about yourself” is often where candidates stumble. Rambling through a career history without structure can confuse the interviewer. Instead, candidates should prepare a two-to-three-minute introduction that connects their professional background to the requirements of the role. The goal is to present a clear, compelling snapshot of who they are and why they are the right fit for the position.
Off-Topic Responses
Lengthy, unfocused answers can dilute even the strongest experience. One way to stay on track is by using the STAR method - Situation, Task, Action, Result - to structure responses to behavioural questions. This keeps your answers clear, relevant, and impactful, without veering into unnecessary detail.
Here’s how it works: start by briefly setting the scene (Situation), then explain what you were responsible for (Task), describe what you did (Action), and end with the outcome (Result). For example, if asked about problem-solving, you might say: “Our team was facing repeated delays on a client project (Situation). As project lead, I was tasked with identifying the bottleneck (Task). I introduced a new tracking system to monitor task ownership more clearly (Action), which cut delays by 30% over the next month (Result).”
Underselling or Overselling Achievements
Finding the right tone when talking about your accomplishments is key. Overselling by exaggerating results or taking undue credit can quickly damage credibility and make interviewers doubt the rest of your claims. On the other hand, underselling is just as risky. Candidates who downplay their achievements out of modesty may come across as lacking impact or leadership, even when their track record is strong.
The most effective approach is balance: present your experience factually, using clear examples and measurable outcomes. When discussing weaknesses, frame them as areas you’re actively working to improve on, which shows honesty, self-awareness, and growth potential.
At Konnekt, we sometimes see candidates hold back valuable details out of fear they’ll be misinterpreted. We advise you to be transparent, because the right information builds trust, helps the interviewer see your full value, and increases your chances of progressing. In fact, Konnekt has had cases where initial feedback encouraged candidates to share more openly in a second interview, and that transparency was exactly what helped them secure the role.
Communication Challenges: Common Verbal and Nonverbal Mistakes
Lack of Confidence
Confidence comes across more in how you speak and carry yourself than in what you say. Speaking too quietly, avoiding eye contact, or fidgeting can signal doubt, even if your answers are strong. You can build confidence by practising out loud, keeping your breathing steady, and staying grounded in your own experience and strengths.
When you project calm, focused energy, you not only come across as credible - you also show you’re ready to lead.
Avoiding or Mishandling Tough Questions
Difficult questions are a normal part of the interview process, whether they touch on gaps in experience, weaknesses, or hypothetical situations. Avoiding them or giving vague answers can create doubt and weaken trust. Structuring your response with the STAR method can help you stay focused and credible, even when the question is challenging.
Above all, always tell the truth. Recruiters warn that hiding or bending the truth during an interview will eventually surface, if not during the interview then during employment, and it will almost always reflect badly.
If you're asked something inappropriate, like a question about religion or family plans, keep your tone professional and redirect the conversation. A simple response like, “I’m not sure how that’s relevant to my experience,” helps set a boundary without escalating the situation.
Failing to Ask Insightful Questions
An interview isn’t just about answering questions, it’s also your chance to ask them. Skipping this step can come across as disinterest. Employers expect you to be curious about the role, the team, and the company itself.
Smart questions could include: How is success measured in this role? What does a typical day look like? Are there growth opportunities within the team? These kinds of questions show you’re engaged, thinking ahead, and serious about the fit.
Closing the Interview: Common Mistakes
Neglecting to Summarise Your Value
A strong closing statement is often overlooked. This is a missed opportunity to reinforce why you are the best candidate. By summarising key strengths, reiterating interest in the role, and expressing alignment with the company’s goals, candidates leave a memorable final impression.
Make Sure Your Follow Up is Timely
Follow-up etiquette in Malta can vary. While some industries welcome thank-you emails, in other cases it may be viewed as an attempt to influence the decision. If you do send a follow-up, make sure it is timely, concise, and directly relevant to the discussion.
Partner with Konnekt
Konnekt offers support for professionals navigating Malta’s job market. It’s more than matching your CV to open roles - experienced recruiters give direct feedback on your interview style, highlight your strengths, and flag what could use improvement.
Final Thoughts
Mistakes are part of any process, but with the right awareness and preparation, you can avoid the ones that matter most. By spotting common pitfalls early, you’ll walk into interviews with more confidence.
Even when things don’t go perfectly, each interview is a chance to learn, adjust, and build toward the next opportunity. With the right mindset and guidance, every step gets you closer to your long-term career goals.
About the Author: Leveraging over 20 years in senior banking and insurance leadership and a decade in C-level recruitment, Bertram Vella bridges executive insight with talent strategy to connect visionary leaders with organisations, thus helping them drive growth and impact.
