[Infographic] Revealed – 5 surefire ways to lose your interviewer within the first 30 seconds!

by K B , updated on November 1, 2020

There’s a saying that you never get a second chance to make a first impressions.

That’s so true in interviews.

As former recruitment consultants, HR managers, business owners and government panelists, the team at InterviewIQ have interviewed thousands of people.

We’ve put together this infographic to give you an insight into what your interviewer is really thinking when you answer the question “tell me about yourself.”

…..with just one tiny part of our tongues in our cheeks.


Do you need tips on selling yourself in a succinct and powerful way? 

Check out myPitch.

It’s our iPhone app that helps you craft a powerful elevator pitch, and wow the interviewer in the first 30 seconds.

Need to get ahead of the pack for your next interview?

Get our free e-book The 7 Deadly Sins to Avoid at Job Interview!

Deborah Barit wrote this book. She is one of Australia’s leading interview coaches.

To get your free e-book and some of our best interview tips direct to your inbox, simply click on this link. It is packed full of easily actionable interview tips.

Here’s what happy readers said about the e-book and interview tips:

“Deborah Barit is a very smart lady…She is good at figuring out what an employer is looking for. It’s like she has ESP, with her help in preparing, I found no surprises in a recent interview and I was prepared for every question….” Cathy, Leichhardt, NSW

“Because I read so many of your posts, I feel as if you were my personal employment coach. I start my new position in two weeks. I had so many obstacles to overcome and each day you posted a solution to my dilemma and how to improve my search. Thank you so much for your input and PLEASE continue to do what you do!”

Click here to get access to the e-book.

K B

Karalyn is the Founder of InterviewIQ and chief champion for all her clients. Get personal coaching to make 2023 your most successful year yet. Check out our job search booster services here>>Give me smarter ways to find a job .

{ 37 comments… read them below or add one }

Undercover Recruiter (@UndercoverRec) (@UndercoverRec) February 26, 2013 at 4:09 am

New @InterviewIQ [Infographic] Revealed – 5 surefire ways to lose your interviewer within the first 30 seconds! http://t.co/CeL1bCq3Av

BiggleswadeJCP (@BiggleswadeJCP) (@BiggleswadeJCP) February 27, 2013 at 3:00 am

[Infographic] Revealed – 5 surefire ways to lose your interviewer within the first 30 seconds! http://t.co/jkrB6XuxlW

John Fitzgerald (@johnatharmonics) (@johnatharmonics) February 27, 2013 at 4:53 pm

New infographic compiled from the collective wisdom of InterviewIQ!!! What’s your interviewer really thinking? http://t.co/PEcYNhFJHl — Ka…

Glide Outplacement (@glideoutplace) February 27, 2013 at 11:38 pm

Infographic on what your #job interviewer is really thinking when you answer the question “tell me about yourself.” http://t.co/LW7yxk1sz2

@Doostang February 28, 2013 at 10:15 am

This is great insight! RT @interviewiq: What’s your interviewer really thinking? http://t.co/0swbbmmpZU

JanLeigh (@janleighbee) March 2, 2013 at 8:34 am

Was it something I said??? “@InterviewIQ: New infographic on What’s your interviewer really thinking? http://t.co/szqHSHqdiv”

Glubertti Carrasco (@Glubertti) March 6, 2013 at 1:40 pm

tks @InterviewIQ -30 seconds? be ready- Tell Me About Yourself: Make it short. Make it sweet. http://t.co/I2HtZkprzh

Chrystal A Moore (@RecruitMoore) March 8, 2013 at 12:08 pm

Love it! RT @InterviewIQ: Infographic: The best way to lose your interviewer within 30 seconds. http://t.co/1OF37gKStS #jobsearch #interview

Inge Vernooy (@IngeVernooyPhi) March 8, 2013 at 1:30 pm

Same here @RecruitMoore: Love it! RT @InterviewIQ: Infographic: The best way to lose your interviewer within 30 sec. http://t.co/WZFpXxW62y

@DalhiaatDell March 10, 2013 at 10:40 am

“@InterviewIQ: You never get a second chance to make a first impressions. Don’t babble on! http://t.co/rpjwG4MLgK #careeradvice #jobsearch”

Allegis Grp Svc Jobs (@JOBSatAGS) (@JOBSatAGS) March 12, 2013 at 6:46 am

[Infographic] Revealed – 5 surefire ways to lose your interviewer within the first 30 seconds! | http://t.co/kQBOYwLuTo @InterviewIQ

Barbara Alfonzo T. (@balfonzo) March 12, 2013 at 10:10 am

@achesoft99 “@InterviewIQ: Tell Me About Yourself . If more than 30 seconds I’m off to sleep. http://t.co/btPnuAnHkM”

Karalyn Brown (@InterviewIQ) (@InterviewIQ) March 13, 2013 at 10:03 am

You never get a second chance to make a first impressions. Don’t babble on! http://t.co/K772Hp6Nwo

Karalyn Brown (@InterviewIQ) (@InterviewIQ) March 14, 2013 at 10:04 am

Infographic: 5 surefire ways to confuse or frustrate your interviewer in 30 seconds or less http://t.co/K772Hp6Nwo

Karalyn Brown (@InterviewIQ) (@InterviewIQ) March 14, 2013 at 11:03 am

Infographic: Why you should never use the word facilitate in the first 30 seconds http://t.co/K772Hp6Nwo

Karalyn Brown (@InterviewIQ) (@InterviewIQ) March 15, 2013 at 10:03 am

“Tell me about yourself” HINT: It’s not about gardening or your dog Trixie. http://t.co/K772Hp6Nwo

@kevinhungate March 16, 2013 at 10:20 am

Very true RT: “@InterviewIQ: Tell Me About Yourself: Make it short. Make it sweet. http://t.co/Ac1iWoa8zK”

City Staffing (@CityStaffing) (@CityStaffing) March 18, 2013 at 11:16 am

When u say “umm, err, um, well” -> 5 surefire ways to lose ur interviewer within first 30 seconds http://t.co/pOeNChYz0H @interviewiq #job

Touro GST (@tourogst) March 19, 2013 at 9:41 am

Interview like a champ! RT @InterviewIQ You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Don’t babble on! http://t.co/YCAGqAxjO2

Florentina Cîlţu (@FlorsTweet) March 21, 2013 at 9:37 am

Confused much? 🙂 RT @interviewiq Infographic: Why you should never use the word facilitate in the first 30 seconds http://t.co/cmJwpsSqJ2

JacPoindexter (@ValueIntoWords) (@ValueIntoWords) March 23, 2013 at 12:28 pm

“Tell Me About Yourself” http://t.co/JCKQ2T9V2f <- Great examples how to quickly LOSE the interviewer’s attention | via @InterviewIQ

Ellen Mehling (@ellennyc) March 26, 2013 at 10:07 am

How NOT to respond to “Tell me about yourself” in a job interview [infographic] http://t.co/6bCLjV7umz @InterviewIQ

Heather Hanson (@heath_er) April 5, 2013 at 10:09 am

Infographic: 5 surefire ways to confuse or frustrate your interviewer in 30 seconds or less http://t.co/aaCUMCOba9 via @InterviewIQ

Heather Hanson (@heath_er) April 5, 2013 at 10:09 am

Infographic: 5 surefire ways to confuse or frustrate your interviewer in 30 seconds or less http://t.co/aaCUMCOba9 via @InterviewIQ

Heather Hanson (@heath_er) April 5, 2013 at 10:09 am

Infographic: 5 surefire ways to confuse or frustrate your interviewer in 30 seconds or less http://t.co/aaCUMCOba9 via @InterviewIQ

Heather Hanson (@heath_er) April 5, 2013 at 10:09 am

Infographic: 5 surefire ways to confuse or frustrate your interviewer in 30 seconds or less http://t.co/aaCUMCOba9 via @InterviewIQ

Jackie Yun (@JackieYunTweets) April 11, 2013 at 11:05 am

🙂 RT @interviewiq: Infographic: 5 surefire ways to confuse or frustrate your interviewer in 30 seconds or less http://t.co/J3qEvu9OvO

Stacy Donovan Zapar (@StacyZapar) April 11, 2013 at 1:14 pm

5 surefire ways to confuse or frustrate your interviewer in 30 seconds or less http://t.co/hsrwa1qVav via @JackieYunTweets @interviewiq

Catherine Christou (@CConCampus) April 13, 2013 at 10:09 am

“@InterviewIQ: Tell Me About Yourself: Make it short. Make it sweet. If more than 30 seconds I’m off to sleep. http://t.co/3AeCnQG8YF

Nikki Simone (@Nikki4rbccampus) April 14, 2013 at 8:30 pm

Love it!“@CConCampus:”@InterviewIQ: Tell Me About Yourself:Make short. Make sweet. More than 30 seconds I’m asleep. http://t.co/OxoMyCRzH9“”

Jim Stroud (@jimstroud) April 24, 2013 at 10:01 pm

[Infographic] Revealed – 5 surefire ways to lose your interviewer within the first 30 seconds! http://t.co/4YYDmjVaLw

Karalyn Brown (@InterviewIQ) (@InterviewIQ) April 28, 2013 at 10:06 am

[Infographic] Revealed – 5 surefire ways to lose your interviewer within the first 30 seconds! http://t.co/rQNH5RoSI0 #jobsearch

@careersinmining April 29, 2013 at 10:08 am

Tks for sharing this great Infographic @InterviewIQ: Why u should never use the word facilitate in the first 30 sec.s http://t.co/BVoNSIRASY

Shelley Cox April 30, 2013 at 9:38 pm

I really enjoyed your infographic. If people get a giggle out of it, it will help put them in the right frame of mind to be able to answer that question with ease. A job interview is just a conversation after all.

@JobFlexOnline May 7, 2013 at 5:09 pm

TMAY is in the house again! We love this #infographic via @InterviewIQ http://t.co/BDEWNN0pbD

Nicky Davison (@NickyDavison) May 7, 2013 at 7:17 pm

Infographic: Why you should never use the word facilitate in the first 30 seconds RT @InterviewIQ http://t.co/SlAsOvUOHY #jobsearch

José Luis Puccini (@PucciniJose) (@PucciniJose) May 8, 2013 at 3:30 am

Infographic: Why you should never use the word facilitate in the first 30 seconds http://t.co/9JoV7CqL55

Leave a Comment

Previous post:

Next post: