Interview Blunders
You’ve scouted the job landscape, found an employer that interests you, and sent out your resume. Days, weeks, months of anxious waiting follow. Finally, you get the much anticipated call. Elated, you mark the date and time of your interview on your calendar. Congratulations, you’re halfway there!
Don’t crack out the champagne just yet – this is merely the eye of the storm. Interviews are often the toughest leg of the journey to employment, and if you take it lightly, you’re likely to find yourself waiting for that follow-up call indefinitely. Intimidated? That’s understandable. Keep your cool, I’m here to help.
I have plenty of resources available that will provide guidance when you’re in the hot seat. You’re probably familiar with what’s expected of you as a prospective employee (if not, fire up that search engine). It’s what not to do when you’re feeling the pressure that is seldom touched upon in any real depth. This is where I come in! Read on to learn about the five biggest interview blunders and how to best avoid them.
Blunder #1: Dressing to Impress (the Homeless)
Don’t crack out the champagne just yet – this is merely the eye of the storm. Interviews are often the toughest leg of the journey to employment, and if you take it lightly, you’re likely to find yourself waiting for that follow-up call indefinitely. Intimidated? That’s understandable. Keep your cool, I’m here to help.
I have plenty of resources available that will provide guidance when you’re in the hot seat. You’re probably familiar with what’s expected of you as a prospective employee (if not, fire up that search engine). It’s what not to do when you’re feeling the pressure that is seldom touched upon in any real depth. This is where I come in! Read on to learn about the five biggest interview blunders and how to best avoid them.
Blunder #1: Dressing to Impress (the Homeless)
Whether you’re interviewing to manage databases for IBM or fold jeans for Abercrombie, you’ll want to come in dressed as sharply as possible. Unless a relaxed interview dress code is explicitly mentioned in company literature or correspondence, sensible business attire is a must. In the vast majority of cases, if you can’t see your reflection in your shoes on the big day, you’re doing something wrong.
Blunder #2: Talking Trash about Former Employers, Co-Workers, and Past Work Environments
Blunder #2: Talking Trash about Former Employers, Co-Workers, and Past Work Environments
If you think that you can score points with your hopeful-to-be employer by providing a compare and contrast of your loathsome ex-boss, think again. This tactic is always ill-advised. At best, you’ll come off as obnoxious and immature. At worst, you’ve just offended your interviewer’s friend/colleague/mother. If called upon to evaluate a previous employer’s performance or explain why you left your old job, keep things simple with a positive perspective. Your fellow employees weren’t “morons,” they were “individuals with whom (you) did not share the same goals.” Your ex-boss wasn’t a “miserable battle axe,” she was “someone whose managerial style was not always suited to (you).” Get the picture?
Blunder #3: Money Talk
Blunder #3: Money Talk
There’s a time for salary negotiation, and the interview is not it. If possible, try to avoid discussing money, vacation time, bonuses, and the like altogether. Employers want someone who is interested in the position not just their paycheck. When it comes to numbers, patience is definitely a virtue. Remember, you can always turn down an inadequate offer after the fact.
Blunder #4: Sir, Are Your Pants Vibrating?
Blunder #4: Sir, Are Your Pants Vibrating?
During an interview, few things scream indifference more than a ringing cell phone. Make sure your phone is off, not just in silent mode, prior to meeting your interviewer. Should your cell spring to life for any reason, apologize and silence it as quickly as possible. Other electronic distractions, such as PDAs, should not under any circumstances be acknowledged during the interview, unless they’re leaking battery acid or threatening to self-destruct in five seconds.
Blunder #5: Smelling Like a Bowling Alley
Blunder #5: Smelling Like a Bowling Alley
Some people smoke to alleviate tension. While it’s normal to be nervous before a big interview, don’t reach for those cowboy killers quite yet! Many people find the smell of tobacco smoke offensive, and your interviewer may just be one of them. Smoking is also a contentious issue that you don’t want to find yourself on the wrong side of when your job is on the line. If you must, indulge with a smoke after you’re out of the office.
Keep in mind that these are just guidelines. Research the position you’ve applied for thoroughly and see which of these tips you need to pay particular attention to. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and keep it classy. Good luck!
Keep in mind that these are just guidelines. Research the position you’ve applied for thoroughly and see which of these tips you need to pay particular attention to. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and keep it classy. Good luck!
Labels: interview blunders, interview dress code, interviewing skills, salary negotiation
Posted by Seymour Jobs on 11/07/2008 01:10:00 PM
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2 Comments:
Having made many of these mistakes myself, I cannot stress enough how important it is to follow these guidelines. Had I known these things when I was interviewing for a fairly well-paying position in New York City over the summer, there's a chance I would be writing this comment from a Times Square high-rise rather than my ground-floor studio apartment located at the epicenter of Central Florida's crime-ridden student ghettoes. Oh well, live and learn.
I'm so glad that there is finally a resource on what not to do during an interview. There is an abundance of websites that tell you about the great things that you should do during an interview, but those websites normally don't give much insight about the other end of the spectrum. Some of the blunders listed are things I would never have thought about and I'm glad someone brought this to my attention.