Due to the poor state of the economy today, more and more people are looking for a new career. But, unfortunately finding new and appropriate work is not easy at all – and besides a good resume, you have to compete with other competitors in the job interview process.
After the initial recruitment process, you may be invited for the interview and this is the final stage where you have to prove that you are the best person for this job. Find impressive ways to build a good first impression and leave the interview with satisfaction.
Read how to get to the desired position, avoiding the biggest mistakes that are most often done during the job interview:
1. Wrong clothes
Your attire reflects your professionalism. First impressions count and your clothing is a part of it. Just because the conversation is scheduled in an informal atmosphere, does not mean that you should appear in torn up light wash jeans and a wrinkled t-shirt.
Regardless of what kind of work you are applying for, always wear a decent outfit or at least a shirt with minimum infiltration details. It’s equally important not to overdo the formalities too.
Dress in a professional and polished way. A crisp button down shirt with a dress pant is enough for a smart look. Aim for a neat, clean and confident appearance. Your carelessness regarding clothing can doubt your performance too. So dress smartly and avoid extremes. If you are in doubt, search the company’s culture, and dress one step more formally than the usual dress code.
2. Lying
It may feel tempting to add extra bullets on your CV just to impress the employer. But this tactic is dishonest.In this digital age, it’s almost impossible to get through with all the lies that will come to your mind. Your employer will sooner or later learn that you have not won eight gold medals in the Summer Olympics, nor did you claim a truce in the Middle East.
Instead of embellishing your resume with lies, mark your genuine achievements whether they are small wins–like helping a team, earning a title, improving a task, are very impressive. Frame your experiences positively. Your focus should be on your willingness to learn and grow.
Employers want accurate and authentic information to make hiring decisions, dishonesty and lying can undermine your credibility and damage your reputation. Lying during an interview may be a reason for a later cancellation.
3. Talking bad about previous employers
No one wants to hire an unsatisfied person, so keep your foul language to yourself when asked about the previous employer.Stay positive while discussing your past job experiences. How toxic the environment or place it was, just discuss the positive aspects. It feels honest to discuss the truth of a past job but it might give an unprofessional vibe.
It is important to focus on the skills that you learnt there instead of dwelling on the negativity. Negativity overshadows your skills and distracts you from your strengths.
The negative presentation of the previous work will give the impression to the interviewer that you are a difficult person for cooperation.
Highlight what you have learned from the challenges. Frame your experience in a positive but neutral way. Keep your comments constructive, instead of “My previous job was terrible” “I was looking for the challenges that were not available in my previous role”.
Emphasize on your problem-solving skill, ability and resilience to work in challenges. Always redirect the conversation back to spirit work for new opportunities.
4. Talking too much
The conversation does not only work around you. It’s an opportunity to find out about the positive and negative sides for the firm you want to join.Interviews are conversations not monologues. Neither you speak too much nor are you silent for any reason. There must be a striking balance between confidence and humility. Be confident in your abilities but open to learn and grow anytime.
Be ready and pay attention to the topics you are talking about.
Prepare a clear draft of your abilities by using the STAR method(situation, task, action, results). Practise your answers that are clear, relevant and precise. Avoid sharing too many details, just give a shorter relevant answer. Stay mindful of your confidence. Cultivate a mindset where you are aware of how much you need to learn in a role.
5. Not doing research on the company
Take the days before the interview to get better information about the company you are applying for. It’s a perfect time to recharge your resume and make recommendations from your past employers.
Walking into an interview without knowing about the company is something unprofessional. It shows you are uninterested and unprepared. Employers can ask you questions about their company. Without research and preparation your answers will be uncompelling and unimpressed. Interviewers want you to ask insightful questions based on your understanding about the values, mission and culture of the company.
Research helps you to learn the work environment for growth and potential that will be beneficial in your long-term job satisfaction. Spend time researching the company’s websites, social media, recent updates, values and services. Prepare some precise questions regarding the company that shows you have done your homework.
6. Inquiring too soon about wages and bonuses
In the same way that certain personal topics are best avoided in initial conversations, forget the questions about wages and additional bonuses as long as the topic is not opened by the other party.
Money matters but asking too soon about salary can negatively affect your interview by making you seem more financially-motivated rather than focused and lacking interest in the company’s mission. It shifts your focus from your abilities and potential to financial needs. The interviewer wants to see you are motivated by the company and your role, not the incentives and compensation.Pre-inquiring about the details gives the impression that you are here only for money and nothing else.
The best time is when the interviewer raises this question by himself after assessing your abilities and experiences and having strong interest in hiring you. If asked about salary expectations, give a researched range or ask the interviewer for a budgeted salary range for the position, it will help in negotiation.
7. Being late
The worst thing ever to say in an interview “sorry I’m late”, it creates a poor impression of reliability, mismanagement and lack of respect for the interviewer’s time. The negative first impression can be hard to recover, as it impacts your performance, work ethics and skills. Being late in an interview can make you stressed, panic and hinder your performance in the interview.
The job interview is not a party, so try to get 10-15 minutes before the actual start of the job interview. By being early, you have time to examine the terrain, and become comfortable as well.
If something unexpected happens, call immediately your interviewer to inform. Clearly and sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused by your delay. If you make it to the interview, stay calmed, focused and professional in handling the unexpected situation. Arriving too early can also be awkward, aim for a balance window.
Thanks for reading this post! – MyPlugin