Arguably more important than the resume or qualifications such as
experience, education and certain skills is the highly objective
personal interview. The interview is usually the final step after
qualifications have been scrutinized, backgrounds checked, and education
and experience verified. However, this is the one area of the
employment process that prospective candidates seem to prepare for the
least. I think this is true because one never knows what to expect
during the job interview. Almost any legal question can be asked, and
the tone can be very formal, almost stuffy, to very informal and loose,
and sometimes even fun. It can be a "one-on one" interview or a group
interview with eight to ten people firing one question after the other,
each question with little connection or relevance to the other. Among
other things, the job interview
can be a tool that companies use to see if a candidate fits into the organization, to test one's job knowledge, to see how you physically present yourself, to see how you react to certain questions under duress or pressure, or all of the above. So where does one start? What is the best way to prepare for an interview?
Since the title of this article is "How to Blow an Employment Interview," let's start with the common mistakes people make most often during a personal, or job interview. Hopefully, these tips will give you some ideas on how to best prepare and practice....yes practice, for the interview.
During my forty plus years in the employment field I have conducted thousands of interviews - most of which were not successful for the candidate, for a variety of reasons. But let's start with the "slam dunk," sure fire way to blow the job interview. This may seem very basic to some, but cursing is the easiest way to get a rejection letter, a big fat "NO". Don't even think about it. Even the smallest "damn", used in a very innocent way can get you in trouble. Cursing is very informal and very disrespectful used in this type of setting. Many people see cursing as a way to showcase a very low vocabulary level, so avoid it at all costs...PERIOD!
In some cases, the job interview can only be conducted during the lunch or dinner hour, sometimes a preferred time for the interviewer, because he or she can observe many qualities about you beyond the responses to the interview questions. After all, you are presenting yourself much in the same way as you would if you were entertaining a future business client or prospective customer. Beyond the obvious of proper dress, etiquette and table manners, there are a few more basics to observe. Remember, even though you are in a restaurant and not an office, you are still being interviewed. The next two mistakes people make in this setting is to drink and smoke. Even if your interviewer indulges in either one or both, don't follow that lead. Believe it or not, some companies may even test you to see if you take the bait. Be smart, be polite, but respectfully decline.
Now let's look at some other ways people blow the employment interview. Maybe fourth on the list is lying. So many candidates make comments that actually contradict their resume, background or even a previous statement. It's okay to elaborate, even embellish, but never, ever, tell an outright lie. In most cases, what you say can and will be verified in a reference check. Telling a lie may even come back to haunt you after you get the job, resulting in a termination. Likewise, when an interviewer hears the phrase "I can do that" or "I can do it all" or "I'm a quick study", the red flags go up. If you have to emphasize that you are qualified for the job, use examples or past experiences to do so. Making unqualified statements that you are the best candidate for the job does not usually score well with an interviewer.
Another of the most overlooked mistakes that candidates make during an employment interview is to make derogatory comments about their previous employers, supervisors or fellow employees. Regardless of how true it may or may not be, the interviewer immediately forms a bad impression and wonders if you going to say the same things about your new company or about fellow employees when you again change jobs. Making such statements projects a less than professional image, reveals a negative attitude and shows very little teamwork. Phrases such as "I had too many bosses," or "There just weren't enough hours in the day," or "I didn't have the resources to do my job," or "I had no time to plan my work," or "My family is more important than my job," or my favorite, "My boss was a slave driver," make the same unprofessional impression.
A common complaint I have heard over the years is "My boss/company was involved in some illegal activity that I wanted no part of..." Making a statement of this type suggests participation at some level. After all, you did know about it. Stay away from comments like this. They are impossible to verify and you could even be sued by a co-worker or previous employer if a question were to arise. Along these same lines, never tell an interviewer that you had to sue a previous employer, even though the suit was justified and you prevailed. The interviewer will not have the details, and may even conclude that you could be quick to take legal action with your new employer.
Finally, I'll end with the issue that most people really want to know about and sometimes make the mistake of asking too early during the employment process. I'm talking about money. Usually, you are going to have a general idea what the job is going to pay. In most cases, the company or the interviewer is going to establish what your expectations are up front or have a feel for your current salary. Be patient. Let the interviewer initiate the discussion of money. Asking salary questions too early in an employment interview can lead the interviewer to believe that you are only interested in the money and not the wonderful opportunity his or her company has to offer.
In closing, let me say that there are many, many ways to blow an employment interview, so don't feel that I have covered every possible scenario. The cases I have presented seem to be the most common and are the ones I have experienced the most during my career. Hopefully, this advice will help you prepare for the all important job interview a little more carefully and not make the major mistakes. Learn the right way to present yourself during an employment interview. Be yourself and by all means practice.
can be a tool that companies use to see if a candidate fits into the organization, to test one's job knowledge, to see how you physically present yourself, to see how you react to certain questions under duress or pressure, or all of the above. So where does one start? What is the best way to prepare for an interview?
Since the title of this article is "How to Blow an Employment Interview," let's start with the common mistakes people make most often during a personal, or job interview. Hopefully, these tips will give you some ideas on how to best prepare and practice....yes practice, for the interview.
During my forty plus years in the employment field I have conducted thousands of interviews - most of which were not successful for the candidate, for a variety of reasons. But let's start with the "slam dunk," sure fire way to blow the job interview. This may seem very basic to some, but cursing is the easiest way to get a rejection letter, a big fat "NO". Don't even think about it. Even the smallest "damn", used in a very innocent way can get you in trouble. Cursing is very informal and very disrespectful used in this type of setting. Many people see cursing as a way to showcase a very low vocabulary level, so avoid it at all costs...PERIOD!
In some cases, the job interview can only be conducted during the lunch or dinner hour, sometimes a preferred time for the interviewer, because he or she can observe many qualities about you beyond the responses to the interview questions. After all, you are presenting yourself much in the same way as you would if you were entertaining a future business client or prospective customer. Beyond the obvious of proper dress, etiquette and table manners, there are a few more basics to observe. Remember, even though you are in a restaurant and not an office, you are still being interviewed. The next two mistakes people make in this setting is to drink and smoke. Even if your interviewer indulges in either one or both, don't follow that lead. Believe it or not, some companies may even test you to see if you take the bait. Be smart, be polite, but respectfully decline.
Now let's look at some other ways people blow the employment interview. Maybe fourth on the list is lying. So many candidates make comments that actually contradict their resume, background or even a previous statement. It's okay to elaborate, even embellish, but never, ever, tell an outright lie. In most cases, what you say can and will be verified in a reference check. Telling a lie may even come back to haunt you after you get the job, resulting in a termination. Likewise, when an interviewer hears the phrase "I can do that" or "I can do it all" or "I'm a quick study", the red flags go up. If you have to emphasize that you are qualified for the job, use examples or past experiences to do so. Making unqualified statements that you are the best candidate for the job does not usually score well with an interviewer.
Another of the most overlooked mistakes that candidates make during an employment interview is to make derogatory comments about their previous employers, supervisors or fellow employees. Regardless of how true it may or may not be, the interviewer immediately forms a bad impression and wonders if you going to say the same things about your new company or about fellow employees when you again change jobs. Making such statements projects a less than professional image, reveals a negative attitude and shows very little teamwork. Phrases such as "I had too many bosses," or "There just weren't enough hours in the day," or "I didn't have the resources to do my job," or "I had no time to plan my work," or "My family is more important than my job," or my favorite, "My boss was a slave driver," make the same unprofessional impression.
A common complaint I have heard over the years is "My boss/company was involved in some illegal activity that I wanted no part of..." Making a statement of this type suggests participation at some level. After all, you did know about it. Stay away from comments like this. They are impossible to verify and you could even be sued by a co-worker or previous employer if a question were to arise. Along these same lines, never tell an interviewer that you had to sue a previous employer, even though the suit was justified and you prevailed. The interviewer will not have the details, and may even conclude that you could be quick to take legal action with your new employer.
Finally, I'll end with the issue that most people really want to know about and sometimes make the mistake of asking too early during the employment process. I'm talking about money. Usually, you are going to have a general idea what the job is going to pay. In most cases, the company or the interviewer is going to establish what your expectations are up front or have a feel for your current salary. Be patient. Let the interviewer initiate the discussion of money. Asking salary questions too early in an employment interview can lead the interviewer to believe that you are only interested in the money and not the wonderful opportunity his or her company has to offer.
In closing, let me say that there are many, many ways to blow an employment interview, so don't feel that I have covered every possible scenario. The cases I have presented seem to be the most common and are the ones I have experienced the most during my career. Hopefully, this advice will help you prepare for the all important job interview a little more carefully and not make the major mistakes. Learn the right way to present yourself during an employment interview. Be yourself and by all means practice.
