Professional interviews can be scary, especially if you’re the one on the receiving end of the questions. But alas, as intimidating as they may be, job interviews are an essential step in the hiring process — it’s your time to shine, traveler, so show your future employer what you’ve got!

Top 6 Interview Mistakes for Med Travelers to Avoid

Whether you're headed to your initial job interview with resume in hand or you've got that final interview in the bag, don't mess it all up by making these common interview mistakes. Read more on the top six interview mistakes for med travelers to avoid and learn how you can wow 'em to land the job.

No. 1: You’re late for a very important date

Ooooh, you saw this one coming, didn't you? If you struggle with punctuality, know that you're not alone. In fact, a nationwide survey shows that nearly 30 percent of all Americans arrive late to work each day. But guess what? Another poll shows nearly half of workers never arrive late. Yeah. Never. So, which half do you want to be a part of?

No. 2: You bring your drink

Look, we all know the importance of staying hydrated with refreshing H20. And if you have an early interview, you're probably clutching that coffee cup pretty hard, too. But it's a bit unprofessional to walk into your interview with a beverage, so leave it at home or in the car. On the other hand, if they offer you a drink, take that as a cue to their hospitality, say yes, and sip away.

No. 3: You don’t dress the part

You don't need to look like you're walking the red carpet but dressing professionally is pretty important. Regardless of whether you'll be in scrubs all day, or your potential employer allows jeans and casual dress code, toss on some business casual attire for your interview.

And before you start saying, "But why?!", the way you present yourself on the outside really reflects on who you are on the inside, both personally and professionally. Employers will take notice. Dress nicely, add a little bit of your personality into the mix, and let them appreciate your pizazz!

No. 4: You don’t prep ahead of time

"So, what do you know about our company?" Uh oh. Did you forget some key info? Take the time to find out some important details about the place you're interviewing for and the main players involved ahead of time. Learn about company history, mission statement, different locations, and what different divisions are all located on company websites.

You can also check the company's LinkedIn page, Twitter feed, Facebook page, Instagram profile, or any other social media accounts to get a feel for the culture and coworkers. In an age of all things Google, it really couldn't be easier to get the run-down on a potential employer.

No. 5: You’re negative and trash talk

"So why are you leaving your current position?"

It’s the million-dollar question in any job interview. When a potential employer asks about your job history, they want to know your strengths and weaknesses, and the way you interact with others. However, they don't need the “Mean Girls” Burn Book version of your story, so save that for your friends.

Talking badly about your former coworkers, place of employment, and bosses could make you look a little witchy. Of course, be honest about your current or past work (lying is no good, either), and here’s a pro tip in case things did end on a bad note: Simply saying something along the lines of, "There were some differences of opinion," is a good way to let your potential employer know there maybe was some conflict, but you're way better than that and don't need to stoop to trash-talking level. Look at you win!

No. 6: You get distracted by your phone

Our smartphones house everything from apps to bank cards to video games. It may seem savvy and modern to get your phone out and take a look at sites, notes, and other interview-related material while you're chatting with a potential employer, but don't go swiping and tapping just yet.

Preface your actions with a well-intentioned, "Would you mind if I showed you what I was thinking on this site?" After you're done, put it away. Don't leave your phone on the table, or glance at the time. Don't respond to dings and pings of new messages coming in. In fact, silence your phone altogether. Blatant disregard for phone etiquette makes you look super rude, and you don’t want that.

Alright. So, you goofed in a job interview. Now what?

Step no. 1: Don't over-analyze.

It's really easy to get stuck in your own head and freak out if you think you did poorly in an interview. Just chill. Woo-sah, deep breaths.

Take some time to reflect on your performance, but don't dwell. Instead, write down the things you think you messed up on, and see if there is any way to fix it. For instance, if you forgot some key information, send it along with a thank you email. Something as simple as, "Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today. It was great to hear about... (mention details of your interview). One thing I realized I didn't mention was... (talk about your info here)." Don't bring up tiny faults and actions like failed eye contact or crossing your legs weird. Chances are you could be overthinking those things, and the interviewer may not have even noticed them to begin with.

Step no. 2: Ask for another chance.

Don't give up! If you were feeling a little off during your interview, explain it to your potential employer. Employers are human. They understand that sometimes, you just have a bad day. Here are some key steps to follow when taking this approach:

• Make a brief, simple explanation. ("I wasn't feeling well, so I wasn't very focused..." "I'm not normally late, but I had an emergency...")
• Re-state your interest in the job. ("My lack of focus doesn't reflect how I feel about this position; I'm very excited about working with you..." "I hope this emergency doesn't reflect a lack of interest; I am looking forward to this position...")
• Offer to meet again. ("I'd love another chance to convey just how important this position is to me. Could we meet again or discuss further on the phone?")
• Re-state your qualifications. Remind them that you're well-positioned for this job and your work experience proves that.

Step no. 3: Learn from your mistakes.

I know—it's a total bummer to not get a position you were really going for. When getting the "thanks, but no thanks" message, ask your interviewer what you could've done differently. Then next time you're in the hot seat, you’ll nail your job interview.

Don’t get shaken up by your next travel job interview. Make sure you’re prepared and ready for what the interviewer throws your way and be aware of these top six common interview mistakes to avoid. As a professional medical worker, you already have the skills and talent needed to get the job done—the first thing you have to do is nail your job interview.