A JOB INTERVIEW can be a golden opportunity to move up in your career or improve your life. It’s prudent, therefore, to do everything you can to increase your odds of landing a desirable position. Like first dates, job interview first impressions are critical (and can change your life!).
The following are 9 ways to blow a job interview.
- Be curt, impolite or unprofessional to anyone at the office where you are interviewing, particularly the receptionist or assistant to the hiring manager. These individuals often have earned the confidence and trust of their supervisors. In surveys, two out of three executives claim they are influenced to some degree by input from their assistants. If you were rude to the assistant and didn’t get the job, you likely shot yourself in the foot.
- Show up in a bad mood (i.e., frowning, not making eye contact, standing around with your arms crossed) or displaying an attitude that says, “I really don’t need this job” or “I’m too good for all of you.” Poor hygiene is equally bad; no one wants to work alongside Pigpen. Chemistry matters in the hiring process — big time. Hiring managers take many factors into account when making hiring decisions (beyond your résumé, education and experience). Key influencing factors include: appearance (avoid slouching posture), habits (avoid nervous fidgeting or knuckle cracking), communication style (speaking softly can indicate a lack of assertiveness or self confidence), and attitude (tone of voice and body posture can indicate interest and enthusiasm, or a lack of them). Think of the interview room as a “No whine” zone — complaining is often a one-way ticket out the door.
- Come to the interview unprepared to answer “Tell me about yourself” or “Why should we hire you?” or present answers without confidence, clarity and purpose. These questions are the most frequently asked and, if you are prepared, offer an excellent opportunity to go over your key talking points such as your unique value proposition for the position. Give them the Reader’s Digest version and let them dictate how specific you get — by asking, “Let me know if you’d like me to go into further detail.”
- Don’t have “your best stories” ready. Being prepared means coming in with examples from your past work experience that relay or give the hiring person some proof of your capabilities, creativity, initiative and how you go above and beyond. Hiring managers remember stories — good ones can set you apart from other candidates. As a coach, I help job seekers fine tune and practice presenting their “best case” stories, as these can make a difference in an interview. Deciding which story or example best represents your talents and abilities is important.
- Make immediate compensation demands during the initial interview. Most career experts advise against negotiating salary and/or benefits before the hiring manager fully understands what you bring to the table and what your potential value is to the organization. Ideally, compensation should be negotiated only after they have said they want to hire you. Tip: it’s often easier to get a commitment for additional compensation (more pay, bonuses and vacation) for a time in the future; in other words, base additional compensation on a review of your short-term job performance.
- Make inappropriate small talk, tell off-color jokes or ask personal questions of the interviewer (hint: anything related to gender, sex, religion or politics). Any of you who think this is a “duh” — I have stories to share! The bottom line — you won’t get hired if they in any way view you as a potential “risk” or not a “fit” with their team or culture.
- Don’t use your internal company contacts. Most companies have a strong preference in hiring individuals their own people refer. Contact anyone you know who works for the company you are interviewing with to ask them for interviewing insight and/or a potential referral.
- Answer the interviewer’s inevitable question, “Tell me about your weaknesses,” with, “I have none.” We all have opportunities for improvement. Communicating that you are self-aware of your own “growth” opportunities demonstrates your willingness to learn, grow and to receive direction and input that will make you a more effective (and valuable) employee. Prepare to provide a couple of weaknesses and then explain your plan to improve them.
- Forget to send a personal thank you note to those who interview you. It surprises me how many job seekers miss this important last step — the good news: doing so will set you apart from all those who don’t (and offer you one final opportunity to either correct any wrong impressions or add anything you may have forgotten).
- Not investing in this important opportunity with a career coach. Invest in yourself by hiring me as your coach. I coach job seekers from all over the world via Skype. Call me: 360 682 5807 or email: mmoriarty@pathtochange.com