the 10 Biggest Interview Killers
By Joe Turner
When you're on a romantic dinner date, you try to avoid "mood killers" --
talking with a mouth full of food, cursing an ex-lover, or complaining about a
foot ailment. During a job interview, you have to avoid similar spoilers if
you want to make a good impression.
Here are 10 of the most common "advantage killers" and how you can steer clear
of them during your next job interview.
1. Not knowing your aim. Too often candidates think their purpose in an
interview is simply to ask for a job. Your goals are to demonstrate how you
are a good fit for the organization, and to assess whether the job is really
right for you.
2. Being too needy. Neediness is probably the No. 1 advantage-killer in
an interview. Remind yourself before walking in the door: you do not need this
job. You do need food, you do need air, and you do need water. Keep things in
perspective.
3. Lousy nonverbal communication. This is about demonstrating
confidence. Your first impression makes the difference. When you enter the
interview room, stand up straight, make eye contact, and offer a strong
handshake with your interviewer. If necessary, jot their name on your notepad
as soon as you seat yourself. Do the same for any other individual you are
meeting with.
4. Compromising your position. You should always participate in the
interview as an equal, not a subordinate, of the person conducting the
interview. Often this is a subtle matter of self-perception, so remind
yourself before the interview.
5. Falling into the answers-only rut. An interview is a conversation.
Don't just answer their questions. That's why you've prepared stories to
highlight your accomplishments, which will be your moments to shine. When you
do answer any questions, make sure that you answer immediately and follow up
with a question of your own, if at all possible.
6. Rambling. Telling your interviewer more than they need to know could
be fatal. Your stories should be 60 to 90 seconds long and they should have a
relevant point. Focus, focus, focus. Stick with your rehearsed stories, your
research, and the questions you need to ask. Don't fill up the silence with
unnecessary talk.
7. Being overly familiar. A good interviewer will be skilled enough to
put you at ease within the first 10 minutes of the interview. That doesn't
mean that they have become your best friend. Don't let your guard down. You're
there to interview them and get answers to your questions. Treat this from
start to finish as the professional business meeting that it is.
8. Making incorrect assumptions. Points are not deducted at the
interview for asking questions when you don't understand something. Don't
guess at what your interviewer means. Effective interviewing is all about
collecting information in real time, taking good notes, and responding only to
the actual facts you've collected. If you find yourself making assumptions or
guessing about something that was said, stop and ask for clarification before
you answer.
9. Getting emotional. At times the interviewer may hit a nerve or
consciously try to provoke you into an "outburst." Don't fall for it. Clear
your mind of any fears or expectations, so you can maintain a calm,
open-minded perspective at all times. When emotions enter into an interview,
failure follows.
10. Not asking specific questions. You want to find out more about what
this job is really about and whether you want it. Arrive with a list of
several prepared questions about the company, the position, and the people who
work there. Ask questions that begin with "what," "how," and "why." Avoid
simple yes/no questions. Get your interviewer talking as much as possible,
then take notes. Most interviewers are unimpressed by someone who has no
questions.