10. Unfocused
9. Unclear
8. Underestimating
7. Uninterested
6. Unkind
5. Unemotional
4. Untrue
3. Undesirable Image
2. Unprepared
1. Untimely
10. Unfocused
Walking into an interview without the proper focus puts you in the danger zone. I will never forget interviewing a highly recommended, but completely unfocused individual for an Executive Administrative position that paid $60k. She was out of work, and after five minutes, she was out the door.
“Celia” came to the interview presentably dressed, but completely uninterested in the HR part of the interview. She shook my hand briefly, made some eye contact, put her shoulder strapped handbag on the floor next to her and the interview began. As we discussed her work history, what she was looking for in a new company, culture fit, past challenges and opportunities, “Celia” wrapped and unwrapped the shoulder strap of her handbag around her foot … getting it stuck several times and having to pause to untangle herself. Unbelievable? Not really.
Many times candidates fail to keep in mind is that the first impression they give will be the one that keeps them walking though the doors to the inner chambers of the company. From the receptionist to the Human Resource professional, how you treat people the first time you meet them is going to be indicative of how you will treat co-workers in the future. Needless to say, “Celia” did not get the chance to waste the time of our President. A few things to keep in mind during an interview:
· Turn off your cell phone and Blackberry.
· Headsets, Bluetooth’s and IPods stay at home or in your car.
· Be well rested and on top of your game – visualization, mediation, prayer or self-talk, can work wonders.
· Eat enough to keep you energized, clear headed, and not thinking about how hungry you are; at the same time, don’t be so full that you end up embarrassing yourself.
· If possible, steer clear of interviews that take place at a restaurant. If you have to, be sure you have your manners and personal etiquette down pat. – They have classes that address business meetings that take place during a meal, if needed, it is a wise investment.
· Don’t schedule interviews too close to other appointments. And, if you’re best in the morning, find out if there’s time to meet in the morning — ditto for the afternoon. Always plan to be at the top of your game.
9. Unclear
Lots of candidates get in trouble here because they don’t know how to tell their story. The information on their resume reads more like a job description, listing duties and responsibilities rather than telling what contributions were made on the job. So, first, know your story and practice it. List three to five key contributions you made at each organization and be able to discuss challenges and how you overcame them – especially when dealing with behavioral issues.
Remember, past performance is indicative of future performance. A few things to keep in mind:
· Pace yourself; don’t talk too fast or too slow.
· Articulate your words carefully; NO mumbling.
· Resist using clichés and hip jargon – we have lots of generations in today’s workplace, and not everyone is going to “pick up what you’re layin’ down”.
· Stay on track; resist side conversations and tangents.
· Maintain good eye contact.
8. Underestimating … yourself and the person interviewing you
I’ve said this before, and I will say it again, one of the essential ways to have a good interview is for candidates to know themselves. If you don’t know yourself, the person interviewing you will draw their own conclusions – if you want the job, having someone else fill in your blanks will not get you on their payroll.
· Research the company as much as possible and know how your education, past experiences skills, abilities and background translate into how you can contribute.
· Know the importance of timing when you are asked a question. Too much time between responses leaves the impression that you don’t know how to answer, or that you don’t have an answer to offer. And, eliminate (or at least keep to a minimum) your “ums”, “you knows” and other filler words.
· Show your interest in the work by coming prepared to ask questions about the company – its culture, history, and the untold story … like different boards or community involvement initiatives it has in place.
· Show interest in the person interviewing you; ask them how long they’ve been with the company and what they like best about working there.
· Listen carefully and give accurate answers. NEVER embellish your knowledge, skills, abilities or background. And, know that your resume is a marketing tool and your application is a legal document which enables the potential employer to investigate and verify your background for accuracy.
· When you come to an interview, the company wants to know how you’re going to fit into their culture and what you have to offer … so, while there is a need to be honest and let yourself shine through, leaving your personal agenda (to change a workplace that may not need, or want, to change) at home is a good idea.
Recently, a friend and I discussed her interview with a major hotel chain. One of the questions she was asked was what made her the right candidate for the job. Her response? “I don’t know if I am.” She then elaborated on the fact that because she knew other candidates with her same qualifications had applied for the position; she knew there were plenty of applicants with the knowledge, skills and abilities the hotel was looking for. Yet, only they knew who embodied the right personality and cultural fit for their organization. “Let’s face it,” she told them, “if I’m not the right personality type for your organization, you’re not going to like me, and I’m not going to like working here. No one wants that.” — She got the job.
7. Uninterested
PLEASE, if you aren’t interested in the company or the job, what they stand for, what they make, who they serve, or the services they provide do not apply!
6. Unkind
Speaking unkindly about former employers, co-workers or working conditions, roommates, the industry you came from, etc. will not get you hired. If you were unhappy at your former job or with a former boss, stick to answers that focus on what you are looking for with a new employer, not what you didn’t have. For example, maybe you have:
· The need for a new challenge; or
· The opportunity to grow or utilize a newly acquired skill set; or
· The desire to participate in a company that is very involved in the community, etc.
· Most of all, keep the interview about your skills and yourself.
5. Unemotional
While over-enthusiastic and over-agreeable can be exhausting for the person talking with you, interviewing someone who is unemotional is worse. Top on my list are those interviewees who:
· Don’t maintain good eye contact;
· Fail to keep up with good body language – these are the ones who start slouching, or those who extend their arms across the back of a chair (indicating they are too relaxed to impress me). And then there are the leg-spreaders, wigglers, tappers and fidgeters – all who exude boredom for the process.
· Cannot give you a firm handshake;
· Lack common courtesies, like greeting, shaking hands, etc.
· And, last of all, those who have no enthusiasm or passion for what they know or want to accomplish.
4. Untrue
If you are changing jobs and your employment history is questionable, have believable, answers that focus on personal responsibility to address all gaps, and longevity issues ready for your interviewer. Reasons that resonate with a potential employer are things like:
· Relocation;
· Working seasonally while in college;
· Being a trailing spouse looking for a good fit and working for a temp agency to keep busy until finding something in an appropriate or interesting field; or perhaps,
· Taking time off to care for an elderly or ailing family member.
Whatever you do, be honest.
TIP: Being honest includes being honest with yourself. If you are a job-hopper, maybe its time to take a look at what changes YOU need to make … like hiring a career coach J
Listen carefully and give accurate answers. NEVER embellish your knowledge, skills, abilities or background. And know that your resume is a marketing tool and your application is a legal document which enables the potential employer to investigate, verify your background, and check your references.
3. Undesirable Image
For more on this, read our Professional Branding article (Oct. 2008), and remember you need to be sharply dressed, from head to toe. Keep your hair in a current, suitable style, clean your nails, shine your shoes, wear appropriate hose or socks, hide your tattoos and piercings, make sure your oral and body hygiene is impeccable, and make sure whatever you are wearing fits, matches and has an appropriate neckline. Rule of thumb: Always dress one level up from what the normal dress code is for the place you are interviewing.
2. Unprepared
Unprepared is synonymous with unqualified.
Statistics show that the cost to fill an open job position is between 100% and 400% of an open positions’ first year’s salary, depending on job level. Translated, this means that when an organization bases a decision to interview you from the way you have represented yourself in writing, and possibly during a phone interview, means that they are willing to invest even more in you by conducting a face to face interview. This is your chance to make it worth their time and money by proving you have a value proposition that will benefit them.
To prepare yourself, research the company online via their website, online search engines, LinkedIn and other relationship marketing tools. Look in local newspapers for new and archived articles, and check out industry publications. Make it your business to educate yourself about the organization.
Know what the position requires. Networking is a great way to find out if you have a common acquaintance at target organization; use your connections to find out what you need to know in order to be a top contender for any job you want.
Once again, know your story. Practice it, do mock interviews with your friends, check out Wilda’s Blog for common questions asked during an interview, and know how you will answer them. Know your business passions and be able articulate them clearly and concisely. Know the challenges you have faced, what you have done to overcome them, and what results you have experienced.
1. Untimely
If your timing is off, so are you … not being on time to an interview probably the WORST mistake you can make. To keep this from happening:
· Get plenty of rest the night before.
· Make sure your alarm clock is set and rings.
· Do not procrastinate; thinking you can do just one more thing before you get ready. Set your schedule and stick to it.
· Call the day before to confirm the time.
· Ask if the recruiter would make a list of names and titles of those involved in the interview available to you so you can send a thank you note.
· Ask if you need to be there early to complete an application. TIP: I always recommend that candidates find a generic application to fill out and copy so they don’t have to reinvent the wheel every time and employer asks for this information. And, have something brief and concise to fill in the “duties and responsibilities” area. Your resume can do the rest.
· If you are going to be late, and it is something out of your control like an accident, or flat tire, call and reschedule. But, no matter what … call.
