The first time I meet a candidate or potential employee is at the job interview. Vice versa, very often the first person from the organisation that the candidate meets also is the HR rep. The job interview, for all its flaws, is still one of the most widely-used selection tools and we take it rather seriously. We prepare, we read the resume carefully, we block the time with no interruptions, we do everything possible to put the candidate at ease even as we look for the right qualities and abilities.
If you are appearing for an interview and meeting one of us, there are some things you must avoid at all costs.
1. Showing up late
Unless you have a real emergency, please please turn up on time, ideally at least a few minutes before the scheduled time. It allows you to take a breather, to settle down rather than directly jump into the interview, and it shows that you respect time. Which is always a good thing.
And if you do have a real emergency, call ahead, explain and reschedule. Trust me, you do not want to get into an interview with an interviewer who is already irritated because you’ve kept her waiting.
2. Lying
Whether you are stumped for an answer or are not certain how your answer will be taken, remember honesty is usually your best bet. Cooking up facts may seem like a good idea at the time but please refrain from it. Interviewers are trained in interacting with people and can pick up on signals that you are not telling the truth. Not only do you lose your credibility, you also lose the job opportunity.
3. Not making eye contact
Nothing is more distracting or disconcerting than talking to someone who refuses to look you in the eye. As interviewers, we find the simple gesture of making eye contact an affirmation of directness and honesty. By implication, someone who doesn’t meet our eyes and avoids looking at us creates an impression of having something to hide or being shifty. Definitely avoidable.
4. Not prepare for the interview
Before you meet the interviewer, invest a little time in finding out about the company and about the position you will be interviewed for. Mentally revise your strong points and figure out how well they align with the position in question. Dress appropriately and be well-groomed. First impressions do matter. The very fact that you have taken efforts to prepare for the interview sends a positive signal that you are interested and keen about the opportunity at hand.
5. Have nothing to say
An interview is your opportunity to convince your interviewer that you are THE person they need. Use it to demonstrate your skills, share your experiences and show how well you’d fit in with the company. Clamming up at an interview is the last thing you want to do. I remember asking someone to share his experiences in leading a team. He thought for a few long moments and then replied “Good, it was good.” Keep the conversation going, share information and you are helping the interviewer make an informed decision.
6. Have too much to say
This is the antithesis of the clam, this is where every single question gets an answer with a prologue, story and epilogue. Rambling on not only wastes time, it also makes you sound as if you are unable to pick the key points to formulate a coherent reply. Stick to the crux of the matter, be specific without being abrupt and share information without boring your interviewer to tears.
Now that’s not too difficult to do, is it?
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