Debunked Myths of the Job Interview

Well-meaning friends and relatives love to give interview advice to their loved ones. Unfortunately, much of this advice is rooted in common interview myths. If you have a job interview lined up, take a few minutes to explore these myths and determine the best way to approach the hiring manager. If you prepare ahead of time, the prospect of a job interview doesn't have to cause hours of anxiety.

One of the most common interview myths is that you need to give a concise answer to every question. The length of your answer should vary based on the type of question presented. Many interviewers ask open-ended questions as a means of gathering information about your past experiences. You can't answer an open-ended question with one or two words, so it's appropriate to give a detailed answer. Short answers are more appropriate for closed-ended questions, which are questions that have a limited number of answers. If the interviewer asks for your full name or previous job title, it's okay to give a one- or two-word response.

A lot of people assume hiring managers are organized and prepared for every job interview. The truth is, some interviewers are disorganized and ill-prepared to make hiring decisions. Susan Adams of Forbes spoke with David Couper, an executive coach based in Los Angeles, about this trend. Couper said he once interviewed with someone who had the wrong person's resume in front of him. If you have an upcoming job interview, don't assume the interviewer has the correct information. Keep several copies of your resume with you in case there is a mix-up.

Another common myth is that the most qualified candidate always gets the job. A strong resume helps you get a foot in the door, but it doesn't guarantee a job offer. Some hiring managers base their decisions on personal referrals, so it's important to build a strong network of people willing to go to bat for you when you are searching for a job. It's also possible for a less qualified candidate to come across as more approachable during a job interview, swaying the interviewer's final hiring decision.

There are several pervasive myths you need to ignore if you want to succeed in your job search. One is that the hiring manager wants to see supplementary materials during your interview. Don't waste time assembling a portfolio or gathering a list of references unless the interviewer asks you to do so. Otherwise, you run the risk of overwhelming the interviewer with too much information. You also need to be careful about accepting an interviewer's offer for a cup of coffee or tea. In some cases, the interviewer is just being polite. If a pot of coffee is in plain sight, it's probably okay to accept. If the interviewer has to go through the trouble of brewing a fresh pot, decline the offer.

If you are scheduled for a job interview, don't waste time worrying. Instead, practice giving detailed answers to the interviewer's questions. A little preparation goes a long way when it comes to meeting with a hiring manager.

Photo courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net