With so much competition for jobs, getting an interview is a monumental achievement. Who would be so stupid, then, to do anything to sabotage the chances of getting the job?
In my experience as a human resources manager, I interviewed hundreds of applicants for all types of jobs at every level. It was disappointing when an otherwise good candidate would do something during an interview to turn a “yes” into a “no hire.” They may seem like little things, but interviews are all about the person and how they are going to fit into the work environment. It’s about their personal habits, values and professionalism. If they can't be professional for an hour, how will they make it 40 hours a week?
Here are some things to avoid shooting yourself in the foot at your next interview:
Here are some things to avoid shooting yourself in the foot at your next interview:
1. Go partying the night before. You may consider getting an interview a reason to celebrate, but save the festivities for the night after. Arriving with a hangover, glassy eyes or yawning constantly from lack of sleep is a poor presentation. You’ve got to have all your mental faculties at full attention, and they can’t if they’re working hard just to keep you awake.
2. Tell the hiring manager she is wrong. Or arguing with an interviewer. You don’t always have to agree with someone, but watch the small talk at the beginning of an interview as well as the exchange during behavioral interview questions. Unless you’re taking a math quiz, there is a lot of room for interpretation. Be yourself and answer questions honestly, but avoid coming across as a “know-it-all.” Job success depends a lot on compromise, collaboration and teamwork.
3. Take a call during the interview. If you are so addicted to your phone, leave it in the car or at home. Texting or talking on the phone before the interview, checking messages during or taking a call during an interview sends the message that the job or the interview are not as important as your Facebook friend’s status update or Tweet.
4. Be rude to the receptionist. You need to be polite, kind and otherwise professional with everyone from the moment you arrive on company property until you are out of the building and out of sight. The receptionist may be texting or emailing the boss that you just had a fight with your girlfriend on the phone in the lobby while waiting for your interview. Buildings have windows, and pealing out of the parking lot with the music blaring won’t go unnoticed.
5. Arrive late. Use Mapquest, a GPS or road map, but find out the fastest route to the interview. Explore the traffic patterns for that time of day and parking facilities. Leave nothing to chance. Arriving late to an interview was an automatic “no” for me.
6. Go for the “Hard Sell.” Of course you’re the best person for the job. You know that. But you’re selling yourself, not a used car. State your case during the interview, answer and ask questions, and assure the hiring manager you’re a great fit. Thank him for the opportunity and leave. Don’t end the interview with a sales pitch, going over your best features like you would a flat screen TV or side-by-side refrigerator. If you nailed the interview, the choice should be obvious.
What other ways can you sabotage an interview? Give your fair warnings to other readers in the comments below.
Mary Nestor-Harper, SPHR, is a consultant, blogger, motivational speaker and freelance writer for communicationsjobs.net. Based in Savannah, GA, her work has appeared in Training magazine, Training & Development magazine, Supervision, BiS Magazine and The Savannah Morning News. When she’s not writing, she enjoys singing with the Savannah Philharmonic Chorus and helping clients reinvent their careers for today’s job market. You can read more of her blogs at communicationsjobsblog.com and view additional job postings on Nexxt.
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