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By Joe Turner
When you're on a romantic dinner date, you try to avoid "mood killers" --
talking with a mouth full of food, cursing an ex-lover, or complaining about a
foot ailment. During a job interview, you have to avoid similar spoilers if you
want to make a good impression.
Here are 10 of the most common "advantage killers" and how you can steer clear
of them during your next job interview.
1. Not knowing your aim. Too often candidates think their purpose in an
interview is simply to ask for a job. Your goals are to demonstrate how you are
a good fit for the organization, and to assess whether the job is really right
for you.
2. Being too needy. Neediness is probably the No. 1 advantage-killer in an
interview. Remind yourself before walking in the door: you do not need this job.
You do need food, you do need air, and you do need water. Keep things in
perspective.
3. Lousy nonverbal communication. This is about demonstrating confidence. Your
first impression makes the difference. When you enter the interview room, stand
up straight, make eye contact, and offer a strong handshake with your
interviewer. If necessary, jot their name on your notepad as soon as you seat
yourself. Do the same for any other individual you are meeting with.
4. Compromising your position. You should always participate in the interview as
an equal, not a subordinate, of the person conducting the interview. Often this
is a subtle matter of self-perception, so remind yourself before the interview.
5. Falling into the answers-only rut. An interview is a conversation. Don't just
answer their questions. That's why you've prepared stories to highlight your
accomplishments, which will be your moments to shine. When you do answer any
questions, make sure that you answer immediately and follow up with a question
of your own, if at all possible.
6. Rambling. Telling your interviewer more than they need to know could be
fatal. Your stories should be 60 to 90 seconds long and they should have a
relevant point. Focus, focus, focus. Stick with your rehearsed stories, your
research, and the questions you need to ask. Don't fill up the silence with
unnecessary talk.
7. Being overly familiar. A good interviewer will be skilled enough to put you
at ease within the first 10 minutes of the interview. That doesn't mean that
they have become your best friend. Don't let your guard down. You're there to
interview them and get answers to your questions. Treat this from start to
finish as the professional business meeting that it is.
8. Making incorrect assumptions. Points are not deducted at the interview for
asking questions when you don't understand something. Don't guess at what your
interviewer means. Effective interviewing is all about collecting information in
real time, taking good notes, and responding only to the actual facts you've
collected. If you find yourself making assumptions or guessing about something
that was said, stop and ask for clarification before you answer.
9. Getting emotional. At times the interviewer may hit a nerve or consciously
try to provoke you into an "outburst." Don't fall for it. Clear your mind of any
fears or expectations, so you can maintain a calm, open-minded perspective at
all times. When emotions enter into an interview, failure follows.
10. Not asking specific questions. You want to find out more about what this job
is really about and whether you want it. Arrive with a list of several prepared
questions about the company, the position, and the people who work there. Ask
questions that begin with "what," "how," and "why." Avoid simple yes/no
questions. Get your interviewer talking as much as possible, then take notes.
Most interviewers are unimpressed by someone who has no questions.
Tags: 10
Biggest -
Interview Killers |
