Maybe you don’t really want that job you are interviewing
for or aren’t really ready to go back to work yet. If that’Come s the case try
these 10 things to ruin any interview:
- Be Negative-Tell the interviewer
how much you hated your last boss or company. Tell them your horror story
of being let go from the company.
The interviewer knows if they hire you, some day you will be bad
mouthing them.
- Be Rude- Don’t worry about the
impression you leave with security personnel or receptionist. There
opinion doesn’t matter ….or does it?
When I interviewed with my present company I had to sit and wait
for the hiring manager right next to the security guard. We struck up a conversation and found
out we lived only blocks apart.
Turns out he was also friendly with the hiring manager and said
nice things about me. Never be rude
to the support staff at a company you want to work.
- Come Unprepared- When asked what
you know about the company, tell the interviewer you really don’t know
anything about the company. That is
you don’t know anything because you didn’t do your research. Coming
unprepared shows you won’t do your preparation when hired either. It shows
you are interested only in a paycheck, not what you can do for the
company. If you want to look even
more unprepared leave your resume and business cards at home as well.
- Timing- Show up late or really
early if you want to ruin your interview. You should arrive at the
appointed time and not more than five minutes early. Most people understand being late for an
interview is bad, then err on the side of arriving really early. This is bad because you will be
interrupting the schedule of the hiring manager. They more than likely will have to get
our of a meeting or drop what they are doing to meet you. This interrupts there schedule and does
make a good first impression.
- Inappropriate Dress- Dressing up too much or not enough can
ruin an interview. Do your research to determine the appropriate level of
dress for the interview. A suit or
at least a shirt and tie for men are the minimum. Never dress like you are going to a
baseball game. Being dressed too
casually leaves the impression you don’t care or don’t know how to dress
properly. Make sure your clothes are cleaned and pressed.
- Acting Too Casual- Don’t call others by their first name
unless invited to do so. Don’t ask personal questions to make small talk
with the interviewer. Don’t ask about family, church membership or hobbies
to try and establish rapport. Stick to neutral topics like the weather and
traffic on the drive to the interview. Don’t accept cell phone calls
during the interview. Don’t chew gum.
Take notes and pay attention.
- Not Asking Questions-I am always
disappointed in a candidate if they don’t ask questions during the
interview. It looks like they only
care about getting the job. If you
want to know about the situation you will be getting into you need to ask
questions. Your questions help you
to determine if the organization is a good fit for you and if you can be
of help to them. Not asking
questions shows you aren’t interested or you have not prepared. Your
research will help you to understand the business strategy of the
organization, their market share and accomplishments. Asking questions is a good way to have a
conversation that demonstrates how you are the right candidate for the
job.
- Making Demands- Here you start telling the employer
about the flexible schedule you need, to make your child care work, how
you can’t travel during the summer and the days you know right now you
will need off. It is fine to start
talking about this when you are offered the job, but you should not bring
it up until salary negotiations start. Asking about how soon you will be
promoted falls into this category as well.
- Money- Start asking about how much
you will be paid and how many weeks of vacation you will get. Bringing up
money and benefits too soon can ruin an interview. During the interview you should be
showing the company the skills and experience you will bring to their
organization. You also want to determine if this job is a good fit for you
and if you would be comfortable in the organization. Bringing up money and
benefits too soon makes you look self centered. In other words not the
ideal employee.
- Not Saying Thank-you- After the interview just leave and wait to hear from the employer. In the meantime another candidate interviewing for the same position followed up the interview with a thank-you note. All things being equal, who left the best impression?
If you don’t want to ruin an interview be on your best most
positive behavior. Never complain about
your former boss or company. Prepare for the questions you will be asked and
have some of your own. Bring copies of
your resume. Bring business cards and
get the card of everyone you interview with so you can follow up with a thank
you letter. Good luck on your next interview!
Copyright 2009@Summit Training Publications
