Top 14 common mistakes in job interviews
Here are top 12 common mistakes in job interviews, I hope you enjoy it 1. Criticizing a Previous Employer Putting down the company you’r...
http://azinterviewquestions.blogspot.com/2013/07/top-12-common-mistakes-in-job-interviews.html
Here are top 12 common mistakes in job interviews, I hope you enjoy it
1. Criticizing a Previous Employer
Putting down the company you’re trying to leave or one you’ve worked for in the past gives off the impression you’re a negative person who can’t let go of the past. It also may make people wonder what you’d say about their company if they hire you.
Also, “it's not a good sign if you're saying really mean things about your old boss,” says Jacob Shriar, a growth manager atOfficevibe. “It doesn't make you look good.”
2. Missing Opportunities to Prove Yourself
Interviewers will ask questions that give you the chance to demonstrate your qualifications and show you have what it takes to do the job. “Failure to answer questions with ESR (Example, Specifics, Results) responses,” is a failure to make the most of the interview, says Hank Boyer, president and CEO of Boyer Management Group.
“Most questions offer you the opportunity in your answer to provide the interviewer with specific, relevant examples of you accomplishing some type of measurable result that benefited the employer,” says Boyer. “This requires you to have done your homework ahead of time, and to accurately portray what happened, so that when the employer verifies your story with prior employers, it matches what you said.”
3. Talking smack.
There is absolutely no chance you’ll elevate yourself as a job seeker by talking trash about a past employer. Whether it’s your boss, your coworkers, or the company itself, this will reflect poorly on you. After all, if you’re showing that much discontent with your past, the first thing the employer will wonder is whether they’ll be your next sob story.
The solution? If you had a negative experience in the past, focus on what you learned. This allows you to be authentic while sharing something positive and useful for your next job.
4. Failing to ask poignant questions.
More often than not, you’ll be asked whether they have any questions about the job. Asking great questions is not about flocking your feathers, it’s about showing authentic engagement. After all, we spend about 30% of our lives at work. For that reason alone, it’s critical to ask questions. And on the flip side, not asking questions can give the impression that you’re not interested, that you haven't prepared, or even that you’re not intelligent.
5. Providing the Wrong Recommendations
When you first hit the job market, it’s easy to think you don’t have any connections who could serve as professional recommendations. The answer is not to use your mom, your uncle or some other personal contact as a reference.
“When graduating from high school or college one thinks they don't know anyone and therefore don't have references they can use,” says Carolyn R. Owens, founder and president of Infinity Coaching. “They decide to bring to the interview a letter from their parents stating how great of a son or daughter they are; this does not go over well with hiring managers and the candidate is not taken seriously.”
6. Talking more about work history than accomplishments.
It’s undoubtedly important for employers to understand your background. That being said, it’s even more important for you to be able to discuss your results. Too often I hear about job seekers getting caught up in sharing context about their day-to-day, and as a career coach I beg them to focus on their achievements… After all, every employer wants to hire an achiever.
The solution? Write out two bullet points of accomplishments or results you’ve created in each job. When you’re asked about each job, make sure to share at least one of your achievements as they relate to the job you’re interviewing for.
7. Overlooking your body language
Nonverbal communication can create a great first impression—or immediately turn off a hiring manager. “When we talk about getting a gut feeling about someone, what we’re really talking about is reading his or her nonverbal cues [subconsciously],” says Atlanta-based body language expert Patti Wood.
To improve your posture and eye contact, role-play the interview with a friend. Also, make sure you have a firm handshake—research shows that if it’s weak or flaccid, the hiring manager might assume you lack confidence.
Don’t be stiff, says Wood, who recommends occasionally leaning forward with your head, upper torso, or whole body to show you’re interested in what the interviewer is saying, and remember to smile.
8. Talking salary
An initial interview isn’t the right time to discuss compensation unless the hiring manager broaches the subject. The same goes for benefits like vacation days, telecommuting options, and flex-time, which “aren’t relevant until they’re more serious about hiring you,” says Crawford. Save those topics for the final interview.
9. Botching the follow-up
Set expectations at the end of the interview three questions: “What’s the next step in the process?” “When do you want to bring someone on board?” and “How should I follow up with you?”
Instead of relying on your memory, Plutz says make notes of what you spoke about immediately after the interview and send a short thank-you email within 48 hours that cites specifics from the conversation (e.g., “The way you described the company culture really resonated with me”).
Give references a heads-up they might be hearing from the company and supply each person with an updated resume, says Crawford.
10. Setting Yourself Up to Fail on Social Media
Social media is part of the process companies use to vet prospective employees these days. Before you walk into an interview, there’s a good chance your prospective employer is looking at your Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Tumblr, Google +, and other social media accounts. If they don’t like what they see, your interview may be doomed.
“Posting on social media sites how you have interviewed countlessly unsuccessfully or a picture of you partying the night before an interview,” says career coach Chantay Bridges. “This is not what a potential employer wants to see” and it’s not doing you any favors.
11. Bringing Children Along
This may seem obvious, but career coach Jill MacFadyen says she once saw a “man [arrive] for the interview with a toddler. He had on a leather jacket. The toddler had no socks and no jacket, and it was cold.”
The leather jacket and the toddler weren’t the biggest problems, though. “In general, big mistakes are not showcasing how you meet the company needs,” says MacFayden. If you show up late, improperly dressed, without having done research, or even with a child in tow, you’re showing the company exactly why they don’t need you instead of what they could gain by accepting you for the position.
12. Forgetting to do your homework
It sounds basic, but many job seekers don’t sufficiently research the company ahead of time, says Belinda Plutz, founder of the New York-based Career Mentors Inc.
“So many people look at the job posting and the company’s website but don’t dig deeper,” she says.
Start with a simple Google search for recent news about the organization; a new client acquisition, for example, is a good talking point. Study the company’s competition and stay on top of industry news, advises Plutz.
Social media is also a good source for current information about the company, says Atlanta career coach Hallie Crawford, so review the company’s recent tweets and Facebook posts.
13. Walking in unprepared
Call ahead to find out specifics, including what to bring, and how long you should plan to be there. “If they say 30 minutes and you’re out in two hours, you know it went well,” Plutz says.
Ask whom you’ll be meeting with so you can gather intel on each person. Check their LinkedIn and mention commonalities (same alma mater?) or interesting projects the person has worked on. Don’t worry about coming across as a stalker.
“LinkedIn is public for a reason,” says Crawford. “Today’s managers expect you to look them up ahead of time.”
14. Reciting scripts
It’s prudent to prepare responses to common questions (e.g., “Tell me about yourself”), but don’t be robotic. Instead of memorizing answers and repeating them line-by-line, focus on the overall concept.
“It’s like giving a good PowerPoint presentation,” says Crawford. “You have your talking points, but every time you present it, it’s a little different.”
1. Criticizing a Previous Employer
Putting down the company you’re trying to leave or one you’ve worked for in the past gives off the impression you’re a negative person who can’t let go of the past. It also may make people wonder what you’d say about their company if they hire you.
Also, “it's not a good sign if you're saying really mean things about your old boss,” says Jacob Shriar, a growth manager atOfficevibe. “It doesn't make you look good.”
2. Missing Opportunities to Prove Yourself
Interviewers will ask questions that give you the chance to demonstrate your qualifications and show you have what it takes to do the job. “Failure to answer questions with ESR (Example, Specifics, Results) responses,” is a failure to make the most of the interview, says Hank Boyer, president and CEO of Boyer Management Group.
“Most questions offer you the opportunity in your answer to provide the interviewer with specific, relevant examples of you accomplishing some type of measurable result that benefited the employer,” says Boyer. “This requires you to have done your homework ahead of time, and to accurately portray what happened, so that when the employer verifies your story with prior employers, it matches what you said.”
3. Talking smack.
There is absolutely no chance you’ll elevate yourself as a job seeker by talking trash about a past employer. Whether it’s your boss, your coworkers, or the company itself, this will reflect poorly on you. After all, if you’re showing that much discontent with your past, the first thing the employer will wonder is whether they’ll be your next sob story.
The solution? If you had a negative experience in the past, focus on what you learned. This allows you to be authentic while sharing something positive and useful for your next job.
4. Failing to ask poignant questions.
More often than not, you’ll be asked whether they have any questions about the job. Asking great questions is not about flocking your feathers, it’s about showing authentic engagement. After all, we spend about 30% of our lives at work. For that reason alone, it’s critical to ask questions. And on the flip side, not asking questions can give the impression that you’re not interested, that you haven't prepared, or even that you’re not intelligent.
5. Providing the Wrong Recommendations
When you first hit the job market, it’s easy to think you don’t have any connections who could serve as professional recommendations. The answer is not to use your mom, your uncle or some other personal contact as a reference.
“When graduating from high school or college one thinks they don't know anyone and therefore don't have references they can use,” says Carolyn R. Owens, founder and president of Infinity Coaching. “They decide to bring to the interview a letter from their parents stating how great of a son or daughter they are; this does not go over well with hiring managers and the candidate is not taken seriously.”
6. Talking more about work history than accomplishments.
It’s undoubtedly important for employers to understand your background. That being said, it’s even more important for you to be able to discuss your results. Too often I hear about job seekers getting caught up in sharing context about their day-to-day, and as a career coach I beg them to focus on their achievements… After all, every employer wants to hire an achiever.
The solution? Write out two bullet points of accomplishments or results you’ve created in each job. When you’re asked about each job, make sure to share at least one of your achievements as they relate to the job you’re interviewing for.
7. Overlooking your body language
Nonverbal communication can create a great first impression—or immediately turn off a hiring manager. “When we talk about getting a gut feeling about someone, what we’re really talking about is reading his or her nonverbal cues [subconsciously],” says Atlanta-based body language expert Patti Wood.
To improve your posture and eye contact, role-play the interview with a friend. Also, make sure you have a firm handshake—research shows that if it’s weak or flaccid, the hiring manager might assume you lack confidence.
Don’t be stiff, says Wood, who recommends occasionally leaning forward with your head, upper torso, or whole body to show you’re interested in what the interviewer is saying, and remember to smile.
8. Talking salary
An initial interview isn’t the right time to discuss compensation unless the hiring manager broaches the subject. The same goes for benefits like vacation days, telecommuting options, and flex-time, which “aren’t relevant until they’re more serious about hiring you,” says Crawford. Save those topics for the final interview.
9. Botching the follow-up
Set expectations at the end of the interview three questions: “What’s the next step in the process?” “When do you want to bring someone on board?” and “How should I follow up with you?”
Instead of relying on your memory, Plutz says make notes of what you spoke about immediately after the interview and send a short thank-you email within 48 hours that cites specifics from the conversation (e.g., “The way you described the company culture really resonated with me”).
Give references a heads-up they might be hearing from the company and supply each person with an updated resume, says Crawford.
10. Setting Yourself Up to Fail on Social Media
Social media is part of the process companies use to vet prospective employees these days. Before you walk into an interview, there’s a good chance your prospective employer is looking at your Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Tumblr, Google +, and other social media accounts. If they don’t like what they see, your interview may be doomed.
“Posting on social media sites how you have interviewed countlessly unsuccessfully or a picture of you partying the night before an interview,” says career coach Chantay Bridges. “This is not what a potential employer wants to see” and it’s not doing you any favors.
11. Bringing Children Along
This may seem obvious, but career coach Jill MacFadyen says she once saw a “man [arrive] for the interview with a toddler. He had on a leather jacket. The toddler had no socks and no jacket, and it was cold.”
The leather jacket and the toddler weren’t the biggest problems, though. “In general, big mistakes are not showcasing how you meet the company needs,” says MacFayden. If you show up late, improperly dressed, without having done research, or even with a child in tow, you’re showing the company exactly why they don’t need you instead of what they could gain by accepting you for the position.
12. Forgetting to do your homework
It sounds basic, but many job seekers don’t sufficiently research the company ahead of time, says Belinda Plutz, founder of the New York-based Career Mentors Inc.
“So many people look at the job posting and the company’s website but don’t dig deeper,” she says.
Start with a simple Google search for recent news about the organization; a new client acquisition, for example, is a good talking point. Study the company’s competition and stay on top of industry news, advises Plutz.
Social media is also a good source for current information about the company, says Atlanta career coach Hallie Crawford, so review the company’s recent tweets and Facebook posts.
13. Walking in unprepared
Call ahead to find out specifics, including what to bring, and how long you should plan to be there. “If they say 30 minutes and you’re out in two hours, you know it went well,” Plutz says.
Ask whom you’ll be meeting with so you can gather intel on each person. Check their LinkedIn and mention commonalities (same alma mater?) or interesting projects the person has worked on. Don’t worry about coming across as a stalker.
“LinkedIn is public for a reason,” says Crawford. “Today’s managers expect you to look them up ahead of time.”
14. Reciting scripts
It’s prudent to prepare responses to common questions (e.g., “Tell me about yourself”), but don’t be robotic. Instead of memorizing answers and repeating them line-by-line, focus on the overall concept.
“It’s like giving a good PowerPoint presentation,” says Crawford. “You have your talking points, but every time you present it, it’s a little different.”
