| 9 Common Mistakes during Interview |
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Realising that a sizeable number of people are confused about the do;s and donpresent below a list of the 9 most common mistakes made by
interviewees:
Lack of Preparation
The worst thing you could do, is go for an interview badly prepared. Ask yourself; Would you hire a person who didnt know much about your company? In order to be at an advantage, you have to find out as much as you can about the interviewer(s): Find out about the company, their business, and the position for which youre being interviewed. Prepare for the questions theyre likely to ask you, as well as the questions you would like to ask them.
Arriving Late
On the day of the interview, leave enough margin for error to avoid any possibility of delay. No one will remember your excuse for being late, only that you were late. If you are unavoidably late, offer a sincere apology just once, and then let it drop.
Improper Appearance
Many people fail to respect the fact that the way they look, says a great deal about them and their personal habits. Never ignore the possibility that every large company has its own dress and grooming code standards. The appropriate attire and grooming (e.g., length of hair, and use of cosmetics (and jewelry) is generally what you see around you in the office. If youre in doubt as to what to wear for your interview, try and pay an anonymous visit to their facility during lunchtime and take a look around. That should give you a good idea! If you expect the interview to last several hours, plan to wear clothing that will look neat all day. If its raining, protect your outfit with reliable rain gear. Do not, under any circumstances, allow yourself to appear disheveled.
Lack of Confidence
Are you confident of your ability to meet responsibilities entrusted to you? Would you hire someone like you? If not, then you need to learn to appear as competent and confident as you would like others to believe you are. Of course, feeling confident doesnt automatically make you competent, but it does create an atmosphere that is conducive to success.
Poor Attitude
You should go for an interview with enthusiasm and an open mind while presenting yourself in an upbeat and professional manner. If theyre giving you the courtesy of their time and consideration, the least you can do is to respond in kind. If you decide during the interview that you dont want the job, or that you may not be sufficiently experienced or qualified to receive the offer, dont adopt a negative attitude. Contiue to manifest a positive attitude-its a good habit to develop and maintain.
Inconsistency
The people who will be interviewing you are usually old hands at the job. They are quick to notice inconsistencies, hesitations, and uncertainties.
They may challenge something you say just to see how you respond. If you back off, change, justify, qualify, over-explain, or retract what you said
earlier, they may suspect that youve been exaggerating or lying to them, and are likely to probe further. When an interviewers respond to your
statement with a skeptical looks, a pause, or a comment, like "Really?", youve got to kep your cool. Just smile politely, nod, and wait for them to
continue. If you become uncomfortable, you can always ask, "Have I answered the question to your satisfaction?", or "Was there anything else you
wanted me to talk about?"
Failing to Listen
The successful interviewee read the interviewers tone and gestures and responds accordingly. This means paying attention, and knowing when to continue, change direction, or stop talking. Avoid potentially controversial and overly personal issues. When you see the interviewers attention lagging, change the topic or (better still) ask a question. Dont get carried away with the sound of your own voice. Pay attention to the interviewers questions and line of conversation. Bear in mind that what they want to hear is more important than what you may want to say.
Blowing Your Cool
No matter what happens, dont lose your temper. Even if you dont really need the position, remember that your reputation may preceed you to your next interview. If you do react, do so with control and resolve, so that you wont regret your behavior afterward. If you are being interviewed for a high-level or high-pressure position, you may be subjected to a pressure interview. This can take the form of making you wait, having the interview interrupted (once or several times), inappropriate conversation or questions, and even rudeness or hostility. Most likely, you will never be subjected to such tactics, although some unpleasant situations (especially being kept waiting) can arise without intent.
Blowing the Negotiation
If you get the offer, at some point you will have to negotiate your compensation package and any other benefits. Make sure that the terms of your employment, including responsibilities, reviews, and related conditions are defined and that you have a clear idea of what is expected of you. Dont commit yourself to a salary or conditions that will make you unhappy. Remember, once you have accepted specific terms, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to amend them. So prepare yourself to negotiate wisely in your own behalf. |
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