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9 Ways to Mess Up Your Interview
Kayla Baxter | InsideTech
Sometimes our faces and body language give away more than we’re trying to reveal, especially in a tense or nerve-wracking situation like a first job interview. In some cases, we might not even realize that our brow is furrowed or that we’re repeatedly tapping our toes much to the annoyance of a future employer.
CareerBuilder recently surveyed hundreds of different employers, asking which interview mistakes were their biggest pet peeves. Not surprisingly, most of these things were considered “the little things” – but as we all know, there’s a reason why they say it’s the little things that matter.
smokey58
3 months ago
2 comments
Okay...I know the etiquette and dress codes for success...but I am a big girl (yes, I mean obviously overweight), yet when I go to an interview that I am clearly qualified for and do a good interview, I don't get the job...I really feel that I am being discriminated against, yet there is no way to prove it. I dress professionally and quite tastefully for the position I am applying for, yet still get overlooked. This is a very real, yet unfair practice.
Jeff_Roe
4 months ago
4 comments
DO NOT put ANY kind of negative light on your current/former employer. And do not ask questions that will make your interviewer think you like to take risks. Most companies these days are being very conservative as to their approach in business and don't want folks to rock the boat or take chances. The only exception to this rule is if they are looking for a change agent.
Charon
4 months ago
2 comments
thanks.
i never knew i most thank my interviewer before getting the job.
slave2
4 months ago
2 comments
Yeah, don't let them know you going to work for money. They find out about that, and you're not going to get the job.
mlgreen55
4 months ago
4 comments
Not sure I agree with comic 63. I have almost always been asked about pay. I once didn't bring up the pay because I was expecting my final interview with the HR rep to go into that aspect. It didn't. Later I got a really low offer and they said,"Well you didn't bring up the money so we didn't really think you felt it was that important." I refused the offer and they came back with a good one. I have only failed to get an offer from 2 jobs that I've had face-to-face interviews for in the last 25 years. One of the things that hindered me was the right person not being present. The first job I interviewed and missed I didn't get to speak with the primary hiring manager (he had an emergency meeting) and I only got to meet him briefly in the hall. The guy that got the job had the interview before his one with the hiring manager cancelled, and he actually spent 2 hours with the hiring manager. So, if they call and ask to reschedule it's usually best to do so. But then I ask if everyone I need to speak with will be there and if there is any doubt can we arrange yet another date for the interview.
Darltk is correct about the technical skill interviews. I am an ion implant tech and most of the questions I get are about dealing with confrontations and team work. With my resume my technical skills are seldom questioned. But you usually don't have to bring up the money...they will. These days most companies are spending more time with phone interviews than with face-to-face. Plane tickets just too much. Right now I'm looking to change fields within electronics so I'm able to ask is X amount reasonable to expect? I'm making it throught the phone interviews well but not getting the fly me out interviews. They keep finding someone locally OR someone that used to work for them is back after losing the job for which he left due to all the layoffs. Plus they don't offer many of those great relocation packages they used to do. Not many "we'll buy your old house if it doesn't sell" or " we'll cover closing costs for your old and new homes". Used to see these a lot in the high tech industries. Now it's get a uhaul and drag your family down here.
Another major aggravation is the prehire companies lik Volt. They hire you in for someone like TI then MAYBE you'll get a permanent job and a raise. I know I'm covering too many subjects but it seems that even companies that are, and have always, done well are using the recession to low ball people. Good hunting.
Darltk
4 months ago
14 comments
These seem so obvious but I guess people actually do these things. Except for the social site scenario most of these seem like common sense. I know it seems logical but you NEVER discuss pay in the first interview unless you are asked first. The employer may think that you are ONLY after the money. It sends bad vibes. The pay is typically discussed if you are invited back for a second interview. Most companies usually have at least 2 interviews. The interview is unfortunately like this. They have to weed you out from possibly hundreds of candidates and the one that presents themselves the best wins the job.
When I use to interview others for Technical positions I was more concerned about the technical skills but I also wanted some one that would fit in with the team. If someone is a great techy but they can't deal with others on the team than it can cause some serious issues. Gone are the days when you only need to be a technical guru. Companies need people with business knowledge and social skills because IT typically works in teams these days.
comic63
4 months ago
8 comments
I disagree with the responses given on "Asking About Pay Before You Have the Job". Although the pay question will come up (it is inevitable) you don't have to be the one to bring it up. Also, any cover letter accompanying a resume could have salary requirements on it. It is tacky to bring up pay in an interview without the subject first being broached by the interviewer. It can place you in an undesirable light right away. In my previous experiences with the "package" deal, I was given a break-down of the contracts value. This had cash and various tangible benefits listed to get the total value of the contract.
I have been a contractor for most of my working life (46 now) and I have never been in a position where I had to ask about the pay. But once the subject was opened (by the contracting firm) believe me we went down that road.
I enjoyed this article and was rather surprised about a few of the items that made the list because I didn't think people actually did them. Like the cell phone issue. Who in their right mind would have a cell phone on during an interview? Of course, accidents happen.
Guru42
4 months ago
16 comments
Asking About Pay Before You Have the Job is a way to mess up an interview? If that is the case, why is it some employers refuse to accept an application without stating a salary requirement?
There's more to a job that just a salary. I agree. Health benefits, sick days, vacation days, working conditions, could sway my willingness to take a job a great deal, and could make a big difference on the salary I am willing to accept. So why do employers demand a salary requirement question be answered before a prospect has the chance to learn more about benefits, sick days, vacation days, working conditions?
jesskuz
4 months ago
2 comments
I agree. I think it's definitely a reasonable question to ask towards the end of an interview. Something like "if you decide to bring me in, what can I expect for payment"? As a contractor, we do this quite a bit.
Jasona
4 months ago
2 comments
I think this one is sometimes unavoidable. I once applied for a job and went through the interview process that included an interview with a regional sales manager and then 3 more interviews with other sales managers. They decided to give me the job but I could not take such a pay cut. I wasted alot of time and energy (both mine and their's). Since then I have asked about money on some occasions and it has spared me wasted time.