Four Job Interview Mistakes That Can Torpedo Your Chances of
Success
What are the worst mistakes job hunters make? It turns out there
are four big ones. These four mistakes turn up repeatedly when
executives responsible for hiring talk about the reasons why
someone didn't get a job offer.
If you make even one of them, you'll drastically reduce your
chances of getting selected.
Interview mistake #1: Thinking like a job hunter
The only reason why an employer hires you is because they want
you to achieve certain results for them. Or solve specific
problems. In other words, you have something of enormous value
to offer the employer.
Yet, most who turn up for a job interview think that the only
one with anything worthwhile to offer is the employer. Result --
they treat a job interview as a one-sided affair where the
interviewer holds all power.
To be successful at interviews, it's essential that you become a
full participant in the meeting, retaining equal power. Just as
the employer must judge if you're the right person for them, you
must judge if this organization offers the right opportunities
for you.
Go in with clear objectives of what you need to know about them,
while putting your best foot forward in responding to their
questions. Obviously, this does not mean being rude or arrogant.
It does mean that you are proactive in directing the
conversation and getting the information you want.
This is very different from the traditional job-hunter's
mentality. It's about developing an assertive, confident mindset
that'll get you results. Try it.
Interview mistake #2: Getting lost in generalities
When you are asked what you do at work, does your reply sound
like a dull recital of an official job description written by a
committee?
If so, you're losing a big chance to score at the interview.
Yes, employers do want to know what your responsibilities are.
But they're more interested in hearing what results you
achieved, your specific accomplishments and skills.
To put it another way, they want to hear how you performed at a
task rather than just hear about what the task was. Use actual
stories with names, products, places and so on.
Make sure you prepare beforehand, outlining specific
accomplishments in brief story form. Convey slices of life
rather than dull job descriptions.
Interview mistake #3: Not knowing enough about your target
organization
It's not enough to read just the job description in an
advertisement before you walk into an interview.
All other candidates have that same information. If that's all
you know, you won't be able to distinguish yourself nor be able
to tailor your responses to what they're really looking for.
Do your research. Tap your network, online sources, the
company's website, people who currently work there -- in short,
use any lead that can give you information about the
organization and the job.
Apart from basic facts about the organization, find out a bit
about their culture, what the position you're applying for is
actually all about, the people you'll be working with and more.
This kind of information serves two purposes.
One, you'll get a feel for whether this organization will truly
fit in with what you're looking for. Second, it helps you
prepare better for the interview. You'll be able to fine-tune
your responses to anticipated questions.
Both are critical to success in your job search.
Interview mistake #4: Not being natural
A remarkable thing happens during job interviews. Someone who's
normally down-to-earth, genuine and personable transforms
himself into someone else who's formal, stiff and obviously on
his best behavior.
He sits with an erect posture, dutifully answers all the
interviewer's questions and in general, tries to do everything
just right.
By not acting naturally, he ends up not connecting with the
interviewer. When that connection doesn't happen, he will lose
out. Irrespective of how much research he has done or how well
he has prepared his responses.
That's why one of the best pieces of advice for job interviews
is -- be yourself.
Stay clear of these big interviewing mistakes and you'll
automatically better your odds or winning. Here's to your
success in acing the job interview!