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With so much competition for jobs, getting an interview is a monumentalachievement. Who would be so stupid, then, to do anything to sabotage thechances of getting thejob?

In my experience as a human resources manager, I interviewed hundreds ofapplicants for all types of jobs at every level. It was disappointing when anotherwise good candidate would do something during an interview to turn a “yes”into a “no hire.” They may seem like little things, but interviews are allabout the person and how they are going to fit into the work environment. It’sabout their personal habits, values and professionalism. If they can’t beprofessional for an hour, how will they make it 40 hours a week?Here are somethings to avoid shooting yourself in the foot at your next interview:

1. Go partying the night before. You may consider getting an interview areason to celebrate, but save the festivities for the night after. Arrivingwith a hangover, glassy eyes or yawning constantly from lack of sleep is a poorpresentation. You’ve got to have all your mental faculties at full attention,and they can’t if they’re working hard just to keep you awake.

2. Tell the hiring manager she is wrong. Or arguing with an interviewer.You don’t always have to agree with someone, but watch the small talk at thebeginning of an interview as well as the exchange during behavioral interviewquestions. Unless you’re taking a math quiz, there is a lot of room forinterpretation. Be yourself and answer questions honestly, but avoid comingacross as a “know-it-all.” Job success depends a lot on compromise,collaboration and teamwork.

3. Take a call during the interview. If you are so addicted to your phone,leave it in the car or at home. Texting or talking on the phone before theinterview, checking messages during or taking a call during an interview sendsthe message that the job or the interview are not as important as your Facebookfriend’s status update or Tweet.

4. Be rude to the receptionist. You need to be polite, kind and otherwiseprofessional with everyone from the moment you arrive on company property untilyou are out of the building and out of sight. The receptionist may be textingor emailing the boss that you just had a fight with your girlfriend on thephone in the lobby while waiting for your interview. Buildings have windows,and pealing out of the parking lot with the music blaring won’t gounnoticed.

5. Arrive late. Use Mapquest, a GPS or road map, but find out the fastestroute to the interview. Explore the traffic patterns for that time of day andparking facilities. Leave nothing to chance. Arriving late to an interview wasan automatic “no” for me.

6. Go for the “Hard Sell.” Of course you’re the best person for the job.You know that. But you’re selling yourself, not a used car. State your caseduring the interview, answer and ask questions, and assure the hiring manageryou’re a great fit. Thank him for the opportunity and leave. Don’t end theinterview with a sales pitch, going over your best features like you would aflat screen TV or side-by-side refrigerator. If you nailed the interview, thechoice should be obvious.

What other ways can you sabotage an interview? Give your fair warnings toother readers in the comments below.

Mary Nestor-Harper, SPHR, is a consultant, blogger, motivational speakerand freelance writer for communicationsjobs.net. Based inSavannah, GA, her work has appeared in Training magazine, Training& Development magazine, Supervision, BiS Magazine andThe Savannah Morning News. When she’s not writing, she enjoys singingwith the Savannah Philharmonic Chorus and helping clients reinvent theircareers for today’s job market. You can read more of her blogs at communicationsjobsblog.com andview additional job postings on Beyond.com.