Even when you’ve done your best to prepare for a job interview and you’re feeling pretty confident, there certain mistakes you can make – often unknowingly — that can derail your employment bid in a moment.

As part of your preparation, consider the possible poor moves you could make and keep them in mind. Don’t let these concepts paralyze you or upset your well-planned employment interview strategy. For the most part, just being aware of these shortcomings can be enough to help you avoid committing any of them.

Here are five of the big turn-offs cited by interviewers:

1. Show up late — or show up too EARLY. Of course, tardiness is a no-no. Show up 30 minutes early, and potential employers can smell the desperation. They also might suspect you have nothing better to do with your time. Demonstrate that your time is valuable too, just as theirs is. Ideal arrival time: 10 minutes before the scheduled interview.

2. Fail to show respect for the receptionist. This person is the gatekeeper for your potential employer, and his or her opinion of job applications can carry a lot of weight. 

 3. A poor handshake. It’s three seconds you’re given to make a good impression, one that can color the rest of the interview. Offer a “dead fish”? Potential employers will read a limp handshake as a sign of weakness or lack of interest. At the other end of the spectrum, if you seize and clutch that offered with Hulk-like intensity, it can place your sincerity in doubt. Shaking too firmly and pumping too hard is associated with over-aggressive salespeople.

4. Talk too much. Sure, they want to hear what you have to say — in direct response to their line of questioning. This is not the time to demonstrate your oratorical skills; some might interpret as an inability to get to the point. On the other hand, if you fill the void with nervous chatter, many employers could suspect you have something to hide. Also, never, never say negative things — especially about past employers or bosses. It shows you have disrespect for your employer.

5. Shifty eye contact. You’re not sitting at the poker table, trying to bluff your way into a jackpot. The two extremes: Failure to make enough eye contact can make employers feel you are distrustful; too much eye contact and the interviewer will feel like you’re boring holes into his or her head. Best bet: Practice your “routine” with a friend.

(For guidance on what you SHOULD do during the interview process, see “Is It Time for a New Job? What You Need to Know,” posted June 16.)

Tags: employer, interview, job