There are a few job candidates who appear great in their resume yet fail to make it in the interviews and end up being utter disasters. With shrinking job opportunities in the recession-hit market, it has been become quite a challenge to make the best possible impression in the panel. From what you wear to what you talk, it has to be a perfect act of your attitude and knowledge. You need to avoid looking silly and casual in an interview and keep tracks of pitfalls that can give your interviewers an easy chance to chuck you out.
Avoid the following bloopers that short circuit your success at an interview. These silly mistakes can sabotage your entire attempt to get that dream job.
Blooper#1- Reaching Late to the Interview: One of the prime lessons in job-search etiquette is to show up on time at the interview. Reaching late broadcasts information about your casual attitude to the employer in a loud and clear way. It tells that you either didn’t plan your route to the job or avoided considering contingencies that might lead you to reach late. It will set an impression that your level of punctuality and commitment is low. To avoid falling prey to unavoidable circumstances and losing valuable time, try carrying your cellphone en route and ask if possible to reschedule.
Blooper#2- Poor Handshake: The tiny three-second handshake that kick-starts an interview is your best opportunity to create a great impression. Don’t blow away an interview right from the start by an ineffective handshake. Once you’ve delivered a poor handshake, it’s nearly impossible to recover your efforts to build rapport. Avoid the Limp Fish Handshake that gives the impression of disinterest or weakness; or one with the Tips of the Fingers as it shows lack of ability to engage. A big turn off is the Arm Pump style as sincerity is questionable, much like an overly aggressive salesman. You may be a seasoned professional, but don’t assume you have avoided these pitfalls. Ask for honest critiques from several friends who aren’t afraid to tell you the truth about your handshakes.
Blooper#3- Too Much Of Talking: A big turn off for interviewers is a candidate who keeps on rambling about himself and his past experiences. It is a sign of insecurity and you tend to appear self-centred. Remember you need to make the best of your time at the interview, so try to direct your comments solely about how your skills and experience that are an exact fit. Try practicing your answers, or have a family or friend video tape you to improve.
Blooper#4- Abusing Past Employers: The easiest way to allow your new recruiters to reject you is to say negative things about the past employer. Even if your last boss was a tyrant, never, ever state your ill feelings about him/her. No matter how reasonable you might try to sound, you will come out the loser if you show that you disrespect your boss because the interviewer will assume that you would similarly trash him or her. When faced with the challenge of talking about former employers, make sure you are prepared with a positive spin on your past experiences.
Blooper#5- Appearing Desperate and Emotional: It’s true that recession has hit badly and you need a job to pay off those debts and monthly installments. But when you try a please-hire-me approach in the interview you appear desperate and less confident. Consider the three “C’s” to click an interview: Cool, Calm, and Confident! Make the interviewer believe that you are the best man for the job. Try to be professional in you approach and don’t spill out intricate details as if the interviewer were your buddy!
Blooper#6- Not Dressing Properly: More and more recruiters believe that your dressing makes a significant impression in an interview. Try to appear smart, comfortable and confident in a professional outfit and avoid over-doing your attire. Leave gaudy and tinkling accessories, smelly colognes and perfumes behind. If unsure about how to present you, make a spot check of the staffs in the organisation to get a clue of the tone.
Blooper#7- Not Preparing for the Interview: The most frequently asked question in an interview is ‘what do you know about the company’? Do your homework well before the interview by visiting the webpage and jotting down the mission, vision and company history. Carry some print out of the key information and refresh your memory before heading into the interview. Doing a Google search during the interview on your BlackBerry would not be a great idea!
Blooper#8- Callous Verbal Tricks: Be sure to use professional language in an interview. Avoid using words like ‘you guys’, ‘you know’, ’well..Umm’ as they make you look casual in your approach. There might be butterflies in your stomach, but trying to look confident with these verbal tricks cant help you anymore. You can sometimes avoid verbal ticks by pausing for a few seconds to gather your thoughts before each response to the queries.
Blooper#9- Focussing Too Much On Salary: Well what truly matters is the money or the salary factor that brings you to the majority of interviews. Your position in an industry will certainly rate your standard salary range and it is a good idea to research this beforehand. However employers might be turned off if you exclusively focus on money and not on what value you might add to the company. Shy away from any discussions of money unless you are being asked to.
