“In a job interview, you may be up against nine competitors. Be ready to state your focus more clearly than your nine rivals. Know your focus or get beaten by the competition who knows theirs.” Alan Fox.
Job Interview: Sink or Swim.
It was not that easy to get this interview, right? But, a lot of work is still to be done. Interview is the most responsible and thus stressful part of your job search. However if you do everything right and demonstrate reasonable confidence and professionalism, the job will be yours, no doubt. Nathan Neuberger advises to avoid 13 most common interview mistakes.
Being late. Ask the receptionist the best way to get to the place and schedule your time. Leave home in advance. If anyway, you see that you are going to be late, call the interviewer and request to rearrange the appointment.
Dressing wrong. Your aim is to make positive impression on the employer. You can do it in the first 17 seconds of your meeting if you dress properly. Office suit, no (little) jewelry, low heels and clean and neat clothes. Remember you want the employer to concentrate on your professional potential not the gilded cufflinks on your shirt.
Behave like a robot. You are nervous, it’s all right. But still you can smile; you can make eye contact with the interviewer. Forget about your worries and fears-relax, listen and respond to the interviewer.
No smoking, drinking, no gum.
Failure to do the research about the company. Conducting the research at the interview is too late. Demonstrate your knowledge about the company and show the employer you are interested in working for his company.
Do not know your own strengths or weaknesses. Then, who knows? You must be able to indicate your main strengths and how they can contribute to the work. If you’ve to talk about your weak points, turn them round against the positives.
Winging the interview. Practice! Get a friend, a list of interview questions and a tape recorder and conduct an interview rehearsal. Start with introducing yourself and go all through an interview to saying good-bye. Write out any answers you have difficulty with, and practice until your delivery is smooth (but not slick).
Talk, Talk, Talk. Rambling, interrupting the interviewer and answering to a simple question with a fifteen-minute reply – all of these are for other applicants, not for you. Good answers are to the point and usually shorter.
Failure to connect yourself to the job offered. Connect your experiences, skills and strength to the job description. Show the employer why you are the best match for this position.
Asking too many questions as well as asking none. Create a list of questions that will help you realize whether this company is for you. Do not storm the interviewer with questions of little importance.
Complaining and criticizing. Be positive, no critics about your present employer or competition.
Asking about remuneration, bonuses and other financial benefits. Wait for the interviewer to bring up these issues - after the discussion of your qualifications and the company's needs and wants.
Failure to ask for the job. When the interviewer indicates the interview is over, convey your interest in the job and ask what the next step is.
Resume Writing
