5 job interview tips & techniques to avoid
Job interviews are stressful things. Often you walk out of a job interview, thinking that it’s all gone well, only to be left bewildered when the job goes to a less qualified rival. Or you’ve put together what you think is a perfect package of skills, experience and interest, and yet you’re still getting passed over for every job.
So what are you doing wrong? MSN Money has come to the rescue with five suggestions for where your interview style might be slipping up. So read on and improve your next interview before you even turn up.
Mistake #1: Turning up too early
You’re so anxious to make a good impression and so concerned that you might be late because of traffic or public transport, you find yourself tapping your feet in the foyer and bugging the receptionist every five minutes because you’re an hour early. Early is better than late, but half an hour to an hour is way too much time to get in everyone’s hair.
Solution: If you’re anxious about getting there on time, by all means get to the location early. Check out where it is, and then take yourself off for a relaxing cup of coffee and a final revision of your resume and company information. Turning up 5 to 15 minutes early shows that you’re keen and punctual, but not too overly excited.
Mistake #2: Desperate and dateless
Being unemployed is awful. It’s a totally demoralizing experience that can drain you of self-esteem and motivation. Expressing that to an employer, however, is not likely to land you a job. A positive, can-do attitude is always going to be far more appealing than negativity, no matter how low the whole process is making you feel. The sooner you are positive, the sooner you’ll have something to be positive about.
Solution: Think about what kind of person you would hire if you were an employer. Absolutely be yourself, but be the positive version of yourself. Remember the enthusiasm and energy you used to feel, and try and channel it into your interview.
Mistake #3: Hassle and harangue
Proactivity is fantastic, hassling people in the follow-up to an interview is likely to turn them off pretty quickly. You want to be sensible, not stalker-ish. Don’t call people at home, or drop by the office. Don’t send flowers. Restrain thyself.
Solution: Sending a thank-you note will usually impress an employer, and it can be posted or emailed. Beyond that, you’ll just have to trust to your record and performance at the interview.
Mistake #4: Trashing
It’s tempting to answer honestly about why you are leaving your current job, but try and avoid the trash talk of former bosses and colleagues. Leave negativity out of the interview, no matter how dull and useless your former workplace population was.
Solution: Stay positive. Emphasise the good elements of your experience, and mention the attractions the current workplace has for you in inspiring your move.
Mistake #5: Lacking Direction
Applying for a job because it pays the bills may be honest, but it’s unlikely to be impressive. If you’ve got no real reason to stay in the job, then it might make people unwilling to invest time and money in hiring and training you.
Solution: Mention how this job fits in with your overall career trajectory in your cover letter and interview. Explain what parts of the job interested you enough to apply. Enthusiasm and ambition will always impress employers.
What do you think are the surefire turn-offs for employers?
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