E xecutive recruiters see it all -- a candidate in the second round of interviews who forgets the name of the company at which he is interviewing... an applicant sitting in the reception area who has a loud cell-phone conversation with her mother... a candidate for a top sales position wearing an oversized belt buckle emblazoned with "The Best."

Granted, these are extreme cases. But many job candidates make needless errors that cost them positions in this tight job market.

I asked 150 of my colleagues in the executive search industry what mistakes job applicants make most often...

Mistake: Talking too much. The more you sell yourself, the better, right? Wrong. Nonstop talkers appear nervous or egocentric.

Do not speak for more than two minutes at a stretch. During the first interview, spend only one-third of the time talking. The rest of the time, listen. In the second interview, talk about 40% of the time.

One question that often elicits rambling is, "What have you accomplished?" Don't review your entire career. Offer a few highlights.

Don't respond to questions with one-word answers, either. If you are terse, you may seem uninterested or scared.

Mistake: Being too open. I am always amazed when a candidate tells a recruiter or potential employer that his/her current firm is struggling or that he is about to be laid off. Such disclosures can damage your negotiating position if you are offered a job.

If you are asked why you are looking for a new job, say that you are searching for opportunities that your present employer can't provide.

Caution: Candidates who have been laid off often say they are doing -- or planning to do -- consulting work. Be ready to talk about your current or prospective clients.

Never criticize your current or previous employer. Pointing fingers or holding grudges doesn't convey strong leadership skills -- it raises doubts about you. The interviewer may suspect that you were to blame for a problem or that you are a chronic complainer.

Mistake: Using your cell phone. Answering a cell phone during an interview doesn't make you appear important. In fact, doing so suggests that you don't value the interviewer's time and the job being offered.

Turn off your cell phone prior to an interview. If you forget and the phone rings, apologize to the interviewer and turn off the phone. Do not take the call.

Mistake: Stumbling over follow-up questions. If you tell an interviewer that you increased your division's profits by 20%, be ready to explain how you pulled that off. What specific changes did you make? A candidate who can't defend his claims invites suspicion. Is he exaggerating or fabricating his role?

Mistake: Being unprepared. The minimum research you should do before any interview is read the firm's most recent annual report and check its Web site. You should know where the company stands in its industry, the status of key products, etc. If you can't ask intelligent questions, you will not land the job.

On occasion, you might want to meet with a headhunter or potential employer just to hone your interview skills or to see what is available. Even if you have no intention of taking a job, don't walk into an interview unprepared. Doing so may alienate an interviewer who someday may have a job in which you are interested.

Mistake: Forgetting your manners. Whenever possible, avoid mealtime interviews -- too much can go wrong.

If you must have a breakfast, lunch or dinner meeting, pay close attention to etiquette -- napkin in your lap, elbows off the table, chewing with your mouth closed, etc. Stick to simple foods that can be eaten neatly.

Don't have an alcoholic drink with lunch even if one is offered and the interviewer is having one. At dinner, if the interviewer orders a drink, you can, too -- but take only a few sips.

After any interview, follow up within 24 hours with a brief thank-you note, preferably by E-mail. E-mail is faster and most likely to be opened by the interviewer personally. State why you enjoyed meeting him/her, what you can offer the company and that you are looking forward to further conversations. Send a copy of the note to the recruiter.

Mistake: Dressing flamboyantly. Wear a conservative wool business suit. Eyeglasses should be untinted, with simple silver, black, gold or tortoiseshell frames. One woman lost out on a job because of her big red eyeglasses. Don't wear strong perfume or cologne.

Women: Avoid dangling earrings. One recruiter calls them "the kiss of death." Hair should be shoulder-length or shorter. If yours is longer, tie it back or put it in a bun. Chipped nail polish looks sloppy.

Men: Avoid jewelry, except for a wedding ring and a watch. A college ring suggests that you still go carousing with the boys. Your belt should be simple and black with an unobtrusive buckle. Shoes should also be black. Eyebrows that connect into a single "unibrow" appear menacing. They should be plucked into separate eyebrows. A beard is fine if you're applying for a position in an artistic or academic field but not if you are looking for a job in the corporate world.

Mistake: Making your résumé too long. Keep it to two pages. There is no need to include jobs you held early in your career, especially if you have been in the workforce for more than 20 years. It is better to omit old positions than to shortchange more recent relevant assignments.

Important: If you include an early position, you must include all jobs since. Otherwise, you may be asked about the missing years.

Older job seekers: It is acceptable to remove references to your age in your résumé, including the year in which you graduated from college and your early employment history.