The 10 Common Mistakes Made in an Interview
10 Most Common Interview Mistakes – and How to Avoid Them
Ah, the big day has arrived. You’ve prepared for days for your big interview in hopes it will land that dream job you’ve worked so hard for. Now what?
Good resume is the first step to interview preparation
Keep reading for some tips that will help you avoid these 10 most common interview mistakes and help ensure your dream interview doesn’t become your worst nightmare.
• Be prepared! That, of course, is what we always hear. We prepare for those questions we’re sure will be asked, but don’t underestimate your interviewer. Stock answers are never what he wants to hear. You’ve carefully put together an effective resume, naturally, you want your interview to reiterate what you’ve already provided. If you’re asked, “What is your goal five years from now?”, the last thing an interviewer wants to hear is, “To be promoted and making X amount of money.” He wants to know your specific goals and although he’s interested in what you can do for his company, he always wants to be sure he selects the right candidate who sees a successful life for himself.
• Remember What Arrives Before You Ever Enter His Office – If you’re uncertain, now’s the time to seek help with your resume. If you’re not clear on how to write a resume, consider incorporating the services of Grand Resume.
• Maybe it’s Not in the Eyes – We hear how important eye contact is; unfortunately, too much emphasis placed on this tip can do the opposite of what we’re attempting to achieve. Make eye contact, but not so much so that your interviewer is uncomfortable. Be natural and be yourself.
• Do Your Homework – Ah, so you thought you’d never hear that word after you’d begun your career, yes? It’s to your advantage to research the company you’re interviewing with. As much as the interview is for the company’s benefit, it’s for yours as well. Be sure its ethics are line with your own. Is it growing at a healthy pace? Have there been recent allegations of anything illegal or unethical?
• Breathe! Yes, breathe. It’s perfectly normal to be nervous. Keep in mind, however, you are sitting in the lobby awaiting the interview because of your excellent resume.
• Be Personable! Unfortunately, your excellent resume won’t be able to speak of your character and personality. This is why it’s so important to be yourself. Be polite, be gracious and be honest. If you’re nervous, it’s perfectly acceptable to say, “I really appreciate this opportunity, but I don’t mind telling you I’m a bit nervous.” It lets your interviewer know you’re indeed human and that you’re gracious enough to acknowledge it.
• Ask Questions – You may have already completed extensive research on the company, but your interviewer doesn’t know that. You can let him know you’ve done your research and that you’re interested simply by asking a question that speaks volumes: “I read where the third quarter profits were higher than anticipated. Does this mean there are new clients on board?”
• Join In – Interviewers are human, too. If your conversation is lagging, but you know the interview’s not over, mention, “My resume briefly touched on my foreign language studies, but I wanted to elaborate on that. I both speak and write Latin fluently.” This lets him know you work well under pressure and, of course, that you’re fluent in Latin.
• Be Thankful – After the interview has been conducted, be sure to let your interviewer know you appreciate his time and end it with, “If there’s anything else I can provide to help you with your decision, please don’t hesitate to contact me.”
• Don’t Settle – Often, we work so hard on creating the perfect resume in hopes of landing the perfect position, it doesn’t occur to us that after the interview, it may not be as perfect as we thought. If so, it’s important to recognize that. You may have to make a decision on whether to accept the job when it’s offered, or to graciously decline.
With just a bit of realistic thinking, you’ll discover the interview process isn’t quite as overwhelming as you thought and before you realize it, you’ll be well on your way in your career.
