There’s no doubt that going on a job interview is a critical portion of a job candidate’s application process. If you were lucky enough to have a resume that got you through the door, the interview will provide you with an opportunity to further prove that you’re right for the position.

However, it’s not uncommon for a job candidate to get to the job interview then arrive and “fumble the ball.” The last thing you want to do is make a mistake in the interview that could ruin your chances of gaining the position. So before going on your next interview, take a look at these mistakes that could definitely ruin it.

Don’t Arrive Late (or Too Early)

One fatal error that could hurt your chances of acquiring the position you desire is to arrive to the job interview late. The hiring manager’s time is valuable, not to mention interviews may be scheduled in specific intervals that cannot be changed. If you show up late, you give an indication of what the employer could expect from you as an employee – not a good thing.

However, it’s also good to keep in mind that arriving too early could work against you too. While arriving 15 minutes prior to the interview is perfectly acceptable, arriving 30 minutes early could also throw off the interviewer’s schedule and is generally frowned upon.

Don’t Trash a Previous Employer

If you had a bad experience with a previous employer, don’t tell the prospective employer about it. If you decided to leave your previous company because you had bad blood with a manager, you could say that you left because your goals were no longer in line with the company’s mission. But to say that the manager “sucks” will likely leave a bad taste in the interviewer’s mouth.

Don’t Get Too “Familiar”

Some hiring managers have complained that job applicants often get too familiar or friendly with them during an interview. If you’re talking about your bad kids or mentioning the wart on your back, you may not get called back for the position.

Don’t Dress Inappropriately (or Sloppy)

We all know that wearing a t-shirt or provocative attire is unacceptable during an interview, but many employers also frown upon attire that looks cheap, or even you not ironing your suit or having scuffs on your shoes. A good rule of thumb is to remember that if there’s ever a time to shine up like a penny, it is during your job interview.

Don’t Question Pay and Benefits Too Soon

You may be anxious to know whether the position you’re interested in will pay well or offer health insurance benefits, but the time to ask is not when you walk through the door for the interview. If during the interview, you’re offered the position then it’s good to be prepared to negotiate. But holding off until that point is usually the best way to go.

If you think in terms of what you should and should not do in an interview, you can strengthen your chances of getting the position you want. Besides, what’s the point in working so hard on a resume if you’re just going to sabotage the efforts in your interview?