Why Many Good Candidates Fail at Interviews in Pakistan

I've watched this happen so many times it's painful. Someone with an amazing CV, perfect qualifications, years of experience - fails the interview. Meanwhile, someone with average qualifications gets the job. After hundreds of interviews, I know exactly why good candidates fail. It's not what you think.

Overthinking kills people. I've seen candidates prepare "perfect" answers for weeks, memorize them, then deliver them like robots. Interviewers can tell instantly. You sound like you're reading a script, not having a conversation. The best answers come from being present and real, not from memorization. Stop trying to be perfect. Just be yourself.

Perfectionism is a trap. People try to answer every question perfectly, which makes them sound rehearsed. They're so focused on the "right" answer they forget to be human. Interviewers want to see how you think, not hear polished speeches. It's okay to pause. It's okay to say "let me think about that." That's normal. That's human.

Lack of confidence despite being qualified is weird but common. I've seen PhDs and people with 10 years experience get visibly nervous. Nervousness is fine, but don't let it control you. Reframe it: you're not begging for a job. You're checking if this role fits you too. It's a two-way street. Practice helps, but so does changing your mindset.

Body language matters more than words. Perfect answers mean nothing if you're avoiding eye contact, slouching, fidgeting, or checking your phone. Practice good posture. Make eye contact. Nod when they talk. Show you're engaged. These non-verbal cues tell interviewers everything.

Not listening is fatal. So many candidates are thinking about what they'll say next that they don't actually hear the question. Then they answer what they think was asked, not what was actually asked. Listen completely. Pause. Think. Then answer. Taking a moment is better than answering wrong.

Talking too much or too little both fail. Some people give one-word answers. Others give 5-minute speeches. Find the middle. Answer completely but keep it concise. 60-90 seconds is usually enough. If they want more, they'll ask. Don't ramble.

Being negative about old employers is a huge red flag. Even if your last job was terrible, stay professional. Bad-mouthing previous employers makes interviewers think you'll do the same about them. Frame challenges as learning experiences. Show you handle difficult situations professionally.

Not asking questions shows you don't care. When they ask if you have questions, having none says you're not interested. Prepare thoughtful questions about the role, team, culture, growth. Shows you're engaged and serious. This isn't optional - it's expected.

Not researching the company is obvious. If you can't answer basic questions about what they do or why you want to work there, you look unprepared. Spend 30 minutes before any interview. Know their products, recent news, values. This is basic stuff. Not doing it shows you don't care.

Finally, stop treating it like an interrogation. Good interviews are conversations. Engage. Show enthusiasm. Ask questions. Make it two-way. This creates a positive impression. Interviewers remember people they actually enjoyed talking to. Be that person.