By Angela Wahome,
“Sarah would not stop talking, basically she hijacked the interview. She inquired about phone charges, medical benefits and asked if the company had lunch breaks and if there would be a microwave as well as a kettle. She then explained that the profession was chosen, for her by her parents, the same profession for which we were interviewing her for and she wanted out. She gave rambling five-minute answers to questions that could have been answered with a simple yes or no. Her handshake was like a death-grip that jingled and jangled (she had on way to many metal bangles) when she vigorously shook my hand with gusto.”
The takeaway: Don’t be like Sarah, if you want to land the job. Here are a dozen more things you should never say or show at a job interview.
1. But this is my lucky suit I have had forever. Fail to dress the part or have good grooming and you can sink your chances before you say a word.
2. You think this is disorganized. Wait till you see me on work projects. Neglecting to bring information required on the application, or bringing too few copies (or none at all) of your clean/grammatically correct CV, looks just plain careless.
3. Sorry what’s the name of your company and what do you do? Exactly what a recruiter need to hear, at the end of an interview in response to, to confirm that your CV belongs in the trash.
4. I expect you to provide the exact job I want on my terms — now. Do not be to demanding or you’ll risk eliminating yourself, completely.
5. I couldn’t care less. You don’t want an awkward silence when asked if you have any questions. Speak up.
6. If you hire me, you’d better get your own CV up to date. Come across as overly aggressive and you may scare the interviewer into rejecting you.
7. You say too much. Sharing confidential information about past or present employers will make the interviewer wonder if you can be trusted.
8. I think you’re not playing with a full deck. If you’re asked the “What are your weaknesses?” question, the interviewer wants a straight answer. Mention one noncritical area you’d like to polish.
9. I’m just going to go ahead and answer the question I wish you’d asked. Failing to answer the question that was actually posed will frustrate the interviewer; make them feel you have something to hide, or wonder if you are able to take instructions.
10. Turn up at the interview like a wet rag. A negative attitude regarding your current or past employers or colleagues will make your stock drop.
11. Ask not what I can do for you. What can you do for me? This is well covered at the top, where Sarah began asking at the top. Asking questions about salary or benefits prior to getting a job offer is a major “no-no”.
12. You fail to mention you are passionate. Candidates who leave without underscoring their great interest in being hired are quickly forgotten.
“Sarah would not stop talking, basically she hijacked the interview. She inquired about phone charges, medical benefits and asked if the company had lunch breaks and if there would be a microwave as well as a kettle. She then explained that the profession was chosen, for her by her parents, the same profession for which we were interviewing her for and she wanted out. She gave rambling five-minute answers to questions that could have been answered with a simple yes or no. Her handshake was like a death-grip that jingled and jangled (she had on way to many metal bangles) when she vigorously shook my hand with gusto.”
The takeaway: Don’t be like Sarah, if you want to land the job. Here are a dozen more things you should never say or show at a job interview.
1. But this is my lucky suit I have had forever. Fail to dress the part or have good grooming and you can sink your chances before you say a word.
2. You think this is disorganized. Wait till you see me on work projects. Neglecting to bring information required on the application, or bringing too few copies (or none at all) of your clean/grammatically correct CV, looks just plain careless.
3. Sorry what’s the name of your company and what do you do? Exactly what a recruiter need to hear, at the end of an interview in response to, to confirm that your CV belongs in the trash.
4. I expect you to provide the exact job I want on my terms — now. Do not be to demanding or you’ll risk eliminating yourself, completely.
5. I couldn’t care less. You don’t want an awkward silence when asked if you have any questions. Speak up.
6. If you hire me, you’d better get your own CV up to date. Come across as overly aggressive and you may scare the interviewer into rejecting you.
7. You say too much. Sharing confidential information about past or present employers will make the interviewer wonder if you can be trusted.
8. I think you’re not playing with a full deck. If you’re asked the “What are your weaknesses?” question, the interviewer wants a straight answer. Mention one noncritical area you’d like to polish.
9. I’m just going to go ahead and answer the question I wish you’d asked. Failing to answer the question that was actually posed will frustrate the interviewer; make them feel you have something to hide, or wonder if you are able to take instructions.
10. Turn up at the interview like a wet rag. A negative attitude regarding your current or past employers or colleagues will make your stock drop.
11. Ask not what I can do for you. What can you do for me? This is well covered at the top, where Sarah began asking at the top. Asking questions about salary or benefits prior to getting a job offer is a major “no-no”.
12. You fail to mention you are passionate. Candidates who leave without underscoring their great interest in being hired are quickly forgotten.
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