Are you looking for a job? Here’s what not to do

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March 10th, 2010

Mistakes Candidates Made in Job Interviews
The competition for open positions is tough, so the pressure is on for job seekers to have flawless interview skills. Sometimes that pressure can cause candidates to make unusual and unfavorable interview mistakes. Take a look at the common mistakes that some candidates have made in job interviews.

Outrageous mistakes
Hiring managers reported the following blunders they’d encountered in interviews:
Candidate wore a business suit with flip flops.
Candidate asked if the interviewer wanted to meet for a drink later.
Candidate applying for an accounting job said he was “bad at managing money.”
Candidate applying for a customer service job said “I don’t really like working with people.”
Candidate looked at the ceiling during the entire interview.
Candidate used Dungeons and Dragons as an example of teamwork.

Common mistakes
Look at these gaffes made during an interview:
Dressing inappropriately – 57 percent
Appearing disinterested – 55 percent
Speaking negatively about a current or previous employer – 52 percent
Appearing arrogant – 51 percent
Answering a cell phone or texting during the interview – 46 percent
Not providing specific answers – 34 percent
Not asking good questions – 34 percent

Competition
“With heightened competition for open positions in today’s economy, it’s important for candidates to put their best foot forward in an interview,” says a human resources manager. “You want to stand out for the right reasons. Even though the job search process can be frustrating, candidates should stay positive, focus on their strengths and be prepared on how to best sell their skill set.”

Positive tips
Here are some tips for job seekers:
Stay positive: Many job seekers may be experiencing tougher than usual job searches in this economy. Even if your job search process is frustrating, do what you can to remain positive. Never say negative things about a previous employer, regardless of how the job ended – hiring managers may fear that you will say the same things about their organization.

Research
When you walk into an interview knowledgeable about the company, the role and recent news in that industry, you show the hiring manager you value their time and that you want to be part of the organization. An online search can provide you with the background information about a company that you need.

Keep it professional not personal
Don’t let business decorum disappear even if the interview is in a casual setting. Refrain from discussing over-the-top personal issues and focus on the position and selling yourself.

Practice makes perfect
Nerves are likely to rear their head in an interview, so calm them ahead of time by practicing. Go through common interview questions with a friend or family member and practice in front of mirror.

Honesty is the best policy
If questions come up that you don’t know how to answer, don’t lie or pretend you know. Admit that you may not know the answer, but then explain how you would go about finding a solution, proving your resourcefulness.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 at 7:54 am and is filed under Employment, Finance. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Are you looking for a job? Here’s what not to do

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