Too many job seekers set themselves up for failure before the interview ever
takes place. They fail to target their audience, demonstrate relevant skills
and experience, or present themselves in a way that grabs the attention of
potential employers. Plan for success and avoid these ten deadly interview
mistakes.
1. Interviewing before you have a handle on
your emotions. Get a handle on your emotions before you interview.
Find a way to get past negative emotions –fear, worry, anger, and
embarrassment—because they erode self-confidence. And an employer can spot
them a mile away!
2. Failing to research the company before
the interview. Do your research and find out everything you can about
the company and the interviewer before the interview. You can be sure your
competition will!
3. Not knowing what you have to offer or how
to offer it. Determine what you have to offer and how best to
present it to potential employers. Don’t leave it to them to guess what you
can do – they might guess wrong!
4. Worrying about your agenda instead of the
employer’s needs. Focus on the employer’s needs and demonstrate
how you can solve his or her problem.
5. Failing to take the initiative in selling
your service. Use every opportunity to let potential employers know
what you have to offer. Don’t wait for them to ask.
6. Not relating skills and experience to the
employer’s needs. Relate your skills and experience to the
employer’s needs. Make it absolutely clear how your skills match their
requirements. Speak their language.
7. Making negative comments about past
employers or co-workers. Find ways to compliment past employers and
co-workers. They must have done something well, after all they hired you,
didn’t they?
8. Offering hypothetical suggestions rather
than real world solutions. Prepare at least five real world examples
of how you solved a problem in a previous job. Don’t be shy about relating
these solutions to the potential employer when asked about skills,
abilities, job responsibilities, or accomplishments.
9. Discussing salary before you understand the
job requirements. Postpone salary discussions until you fully
understand the job responsibilities and the interviewer has offered you the
position.
10. Asking “What’s In It For Me” Questions
about salary and benefits. Ask questions that demonstrate your interest
in the company and the position--questions that probe for information about
how you can help them.
--------------------------------
Mary Jeanne Vincent is the author
of Acing the Interview tip cards featuring answers to the top 20 “killer”
interview questions. Also included are tips for interviewing in the new
economy, ideas for responding to illegal and trick questions, and
suggestions for avoiding 10 deadly interview mistakes.
Go to
http://www.2bworkwise.com for free job search articles and to sign up
for the free WorkWise e-zine. For information on individual job and career
coaching or to find out about other practical, easy-to-use career tools call
Mary Jeanne at 831.657.9151.
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