Fired prior to this contract: Five ways to ruin any interview
February 28, 2009 by admin
Filed under Job Interview
Arrive on time. Dress well. Write a thank-you note. Do not lie on the application. You have the job search basics, but the gods of jobs have plagued their village with a drought. If you’re interviewing after a layoff, finding a change of employment or the documentation for your interview unnecessary suffering to milk another unemployment check, be aware of these five deadly sins interviews.
1. Not too sweet.
Who is chatting with the interviewer, to discuss the exchange of professional experiences and war stories, however, a relaxed interview is not an excuse to be complacent in their professionalism.
A former colleague of mine was looking to migrate to substance abuse, her original area of study and experience. He was friendly, outgoing and a hard worker. Had little experience and a great reference, but found his fall, while small talk. After the interview, the hiring manager mentions in passing that he had recently received a DUI. My colleague, the attempt to empathize, he admitted that he had also received a ticket for DUI. On three separate occasions. Lesson learned: get a job first. Tell war stories later.
2. Do not forget to train rigorously.
Reading job search books, and study questions are all great ways to prepare, but these resources were not exactly to put in hot seat interviews. You would not expect to run a marathon just because you’ve read several books on running, right? Ask a friend or significant other to give a dry place through a hypothetical interview with suggested questions from these books or articles. Even better, if you know someone who is a manager or contracting works in human resources (for a different company, of course), ask to manage the mock interview.
For yourself and humility, asking for help from others, you will receive constructive criticism and be able to integrate another perspective on your answer. You may even be asked a question that was never found the answer, making a great place to interview surprises.
3. Do not forget to shut up.
When you have finished answering the question, close the mouth. The two most deadly types of interviewers will be referred to as the “poker face” and “yes man.” The face of poker will ask a question and no signs of life during the response. With the expectation of a smile, nod or grunt understand, is developed. And prepare. Will continue developing until you realize that the face of poker is a game. At the moment of realization that are involved in a game, you’ve already lost. Having this knowledge and to answer the question completely, concisely and without superfluous comment.
If man is just as deadly, if not more, that the face of poker. He nods his head and seems to understand and agree with every answer. Feeling encouraged by this enthusiasm, is prepared. And prepare. Will continue the development until you realize that you can say that their career goals to sleep with the boss, publishing trade secrets and burn the building down, and man it still nod your head.
In it the man’s defense, sometimes he could agree with what you are saying at first, but in the end, every gesture means “Yes, I understand. As I understand ten minutes. Please stop talking, lest I puncture my eardrums with this letter opener. ”
4. Do not forget to download the tone.
Everyone knows that no-one talk bad employer, but even a comment that you feel that you have limited ring sour in May with the interviewer. If you are tired and bitter with their current job or the interview process, try to keep the disappointment to a minimum. Take you to a happy place. Remember the time they unwrapped a sandwich vending machine, locked in his manager’s file cabinet and allows your office to smell mysteriously ill for weeks. If your personality sarcastic or dry, be sure to take this a notch as well. While his friends and family can understand their peculiarities charismatic, a complete stranger can not.
5. Do not forget to bring enough supplies to make a Boy Scout proud.
Bring a notebook, pen and three copies of your resume and references. Taking notes shows a proactive attitude and commitment to the interview. In addition, these notes will be useful later when you write a personalized thank-you note to the interviewer.
If several members of the management and administration of the interview, be sure to provide a curriculum vitae of each person. Worst case: only bring a resume and finish with back-to-back interviews, leaving you empty-handed in the second round.
If you are recovering from a layoff, looking for a job or looking for excuses to stay unemployed, these tips will help you achieve your goal. By becoming aware of these interviews to the mortal sins, which has taken the first step toward meeting his goal!