Getting ready for
an interview can cause a lot of anxiety in many people. Especially when it’s a
position that you really want to land. Your resume has impressed enough to get
you through the door. But despite your skills and qualifications, how the
interview goes will determine whether you make the final cut. Knowing what to
do and not to do can help put you at ease.
These tips will help you avoid making common mistakes that
can get in the way of landing a job you really want.
1. Don't be late
It seems obvious
but pay extra attention to the time. Arriving late can throw off the interview
before it’s even started. Plan ahead to ensure that you get to the venue around
10 minutes before the interview begins. This will give you time to get
composed. Being on time starts you off with a positive impression and allows
you to continue to build positive rapport with the hiring team.
2. Don't appear uninformed
Don't go for an
interview without knowledge of the company. Once you get invited for an
interview make sure you do enough research to be well informed on the company’s
goals, missions, visions, as well as the position you are being interviewed
for. If you know anyone working in the company you could also try to get more
information about the company from them.
When you can ask
relevant questions and speak to the company’s latest news and events it
demonstrates to the hiring team that you have a genuine interest in being a
part of the company.
Before getting
into an interview room, ensure your phone is off or on silent mode. Having your
phone out in view, answering phone calls or replying to messages presents as
rude and not fully interested in the interview. This in turn gives an
impression on how you may conduct yourself in your new role giving the hiring
manager one more checkpoint to filter out interviewees.
4. Don't be negative
Negative talk of
any kind will not serve you well in an interview. Make sure you do not talk ill
of your current or previous employers. The hiring manager does not want a
person who is likely to talk negative of them in future.
Also, do not
fall in to negative delivery when it comes to presenting yourself during the
interview. Showing self-doubt through your words and how you frame your
responses, or even through your body language, can jeopardize your success. Sit
up straight, make eye contact and be direct about why you are the one the
company should not let get away.
5. Don't be untruthful
It might be tempting,
because you want the job so badly, to try and mold yourself into the perfect
match for the position. But being untruthful on your resume or in how you
respond to interview questions can quickly lead to negative repercussions and losing
your place in the running.
The hiring
manager might pick up on a lack of authenticity or lead you down a path of
questioning that digs you in to a hole. Impress, instead, with your truth,
positivity and clear presentation of how you propose successfully impacting the
position…your way.
6. Don't get too personal
Hold back the
sharing of too much about your problems, family issues, and troubles. It’s one
more thing that can sway the interview off track. Stick to the questions asked
and avoid giving very personal information. Don't also ask the hiring staff
personal information.
Focus more on
talking confidently about your skills and accomplishments. Prepare great
questions that show the hiring manager a forward style of thinking that can
take you one step closer to landing the job.
7. Don't use foul language
Be selective of
the words that you use. Avoid cursing or using inappropriate language and
references that will cause embarrassment. Be polite, speak confidently, and
don't be overly aggressive. Remember, you are not only being interviewed for a
position but also how you will fit into the company culture.
8. Don't talk about money
Unless you are
asked about expected salary don't jump into asking about money. You may seem
more interested in the money than the job. Don't ask also about time off,
bonuses, and vacations. Leave this until
you get through to the second interview and closer to negotiating your
contract.
Instead, as the
interview draws to a close, openly ask the hiring manager if there is anything
that would create hesitation in hiring you, and if so, what that might be. Understanding what creates a barrier to
securing the position presents a final chance to clarify or provide more
information to help move you on in the process.
9. Don’t forget to follow up
Remember to send
a personal handwritten thank you note or email to the hiring manager within 24
hours after the interview. Keep it simple, brief and direct reinforcing your
interest in the job and the qualifications that make you a serious candidate.
The thank you
note also provides a great opportunity to include any appropriate information
that you may have forgotten to mention in the interview as well as reinforce
your response to any questions or concerns raised relative to you being the
best match for the position.
10. Don’t
overlook using a good recruiter or staffing agency
Recruiters build
their success through making sure that their candidates make it to and survive
the final cut. So any good recruiter is going to assist in making sure that
their candidate is thoroughly prepped.
TaureanConsulting Group, for example, develops an interview strategy with each
candidate based on knowing what our employers want and helping candidates
present the best version of themselves, directly and confidently.
If your current
job outreach is not getting the results that you want, connect with a strong
recruiter or staffing agency that specializes in your positions and let them
help you elevate the opportunity to ace your next interview.
