The Three Biggest Mistakes Made At Job Interviews
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Ever wonder why you never got called back for a second interview despite the fact you felt in your heart of hearts that the interview went well? While every interview scenario is difficult to summarize, there is a chance you may have made one or more of the three biggest mistakes job seekers make in an interview. These no-no’s may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how often job seekers fail in these areas.
1. Failing to exude a positive body language
More than your words and your tone of voice, your body language is the No. 1 aspect you are being judged on, not just in the interview, but the moment you enter the company’s headquarters. Your great resume and/or a referral has likely gotten you the interview. Now, your potential fellow coworkers are sizing you up from head to toe to see if you’d be a good “fit” for their team. In short, will they like working with you?
The receptionist you checked in with to let them know you had arrived is watching your mannerisms in the quiet lounge area. Is the job candidate slouched in their chair, dressed appropriately and polite or speaking on their cell phone? You may not even realize it, but the receptionist and others that may pass through the reception area are checking you
out, and you still haven’t even been called back yet for the
interview.
Next thing you know you’re face-to-face with your potential
future boss – or bosses. Are you leaning forward, engaged in
the conversation, or are you leaning back or have a rigid
posture? You’d be surprised how many job seekers fail to
realize how poor their body language is. And what about
your eye contact. Are you looking the interviewer directly in
the eye? The interviewer has to envision you being successful
at his company and making him or her look good. If you
don’t seem engaged, you may have lost them and not even
know it.
2. Failing to ask the right questions
The interviewer and the company you are interviewing with
don’t really care anything about you unless they know for
certain you can help them. To that end, it puts the company
at ease knowing you have learned as much about there
organization as possible, particularly in your areas of
expertise. When a job seeker brings and asks at least three
questions related to helping the company improve its
standing, now you have crossed into engagement territory.
The interviewer has a new respect for you versus other
candidates who, when asked if they had any questions
replied, “No” or worse, “what’s the salary for this position?”
The worst thing you can do in an initial interview is focus on
“you” unless prompted by the interviewer. That means avoid
asking questions such as salary, health benefits and vacation
time and other “me” questions. Save those for a later
interview, unless prompted to answer. Instead, tailor your
questions around where the company is looking to improve
and how you can fulfill those goals.
3. Failing to ask for the job
Ever been on a first date with someone, and the end of the
date comes and you’re not sure what to do because you’re
not sure if you really like her or if she really likes you? Is it a
kiss on the cheek or just a hug?
This body language awkwardness can also occur in an
interview, but as the job seeker, you don’t even know it
because you’re “living in an assumption world.” You assume
– as the job seeker – that since I showed up for the interview
there must be an assumption I want the job. Not true.
Just like on a date, during the interview, your subject is
judging your body language, tone and words. Perhaps the
interviewer has devoted much of the interview to informing
you of your responsibilities and the key benchmarks you’ll
be expected to meet. If your body language doesn’t radiate
engagement or enthusiasm, the interviewer can be left
wondering if your words are sincere or just acts of
desperation.
The end of the interview comes. You’ve already asked a few
questions when prompted and the interviewer closes by
saying something like, “well, we’re still interviewing
candidates this week so we’ll let you know.” And your
response is a simple, “ok, great.” Actually, not great, because
you just cost yourself a second interview.
Assume the interviewer has been judging your body
language during the interview and isn’t certain you
genuinely want the job. The interviewer feels the
responsibilities laid out may not be your cup of tea even
though your responses were, “no problem” or “that sounds
fine.”
So how do you eliminate any doubt? You ask for the job.
Here’s how your response should be:
“Thanks again for taking the time to meet with me and for
going over the details of the position. I know this position
carries a lot of responsibility and I just want to let you know
I would really welcome the opportunity to work with you and
your team. I’m ready to make an immediate impact. When
do you anticipate making a decision on the next step?”
By informing the interviewer that you want the job you’ve
eliminated any doubt in their mind. Think about it: would
YOU hire a person you weren’t sure wanted the job or
someone who was passionate and said point blank they
wanted to work for you?
Avoid these three biggest interview gaffes and you’ll get
more calls for second interviews – and even a job offer…
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