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Things Not to Do When Interviewing...
The
impression you make during
the interview is key to
whether you will get hired.
According to recruiters,
managers, and personnel
experts here are ten of the
small ways job candidates
commonly trip themselves up.
Arriving too early for your
interview… Though not
as bad as showing up late,
arriving more than 10
minutes before your
appointment can hurt you.
The interviewer may feel
pressured to see you at that
moment, even though they are
not ready. Arriving
too early also makes you
seem too eager, even
desperate.
Bad mouthing your boss…
Everyone in the industry may
know your boss is a dud or
that the company is in
trouble, but if you say so
in an interview you will
come across as disloyal and
not much of a team player.
If asked directly about your
employer, say something
positive, if only, "It was
an interesting experience."
Pressing the interviewer…
If the interviewer says they
will be making a decision
about the position in the
next few weeks, you should
say "I will check back".
If you have another offer,
tell them, but do not try to
pressure them into making a
decision with their backs to
the wall.
Failing to follow up…
The interviewer said that he/she
would get back to you
in a few days but you have
not heard from them.
This problem should be
solved by your recruiter.
If you have not heard back
from your recruiter in a
timely manner, be sure to
call them to let them know
that you are still interested.
Job offers can come at
anytime, including the same
day or in a month.
Talking too much or too
little… Do not try to
pin the interviewer down by
not letting him/her ask
his/her
questions. The
interviewer will not like
this at all. Follow,
rather than lead the
interview. This will
help the interview go
smoothly. If you do
more than half the taking,
you may come across as a
pushy person with no
listening skills. One
of the most important pieces
of advice we can offer is to
HAVE QUESTIONS for the
interviewers. Saying
"No" when asked if you have
any questions is a proven
way to not get hired.
If needed, write them down
and bring them with you to
the interview. It is
perfectly acceptable and
appropriate to pull out a
list of questions.
Dressing or behaving too
casually… The company
atmosphere may be very
casual, but job candidates
are still expected to dress
and behave formally.
Show Respect! Going to
an interview in a causal
outfit when conservative
attire is expected, can sink
your chances for a call
back.
Researching the company too
superficially… You
cannot be expected to know
every aspect of a company
that you are interviewing
with, but if you are
interviewing with a Fortune
100 semiconductor company
for instance, you should
know about some of the
company's
primary products. Try
to do some basic research on
the company or just ask the
recruiter who you are
working with and he/she will be
glad to tell you.
Asking about salary and
benefits too soon…
When you are asked if you
have any questions during an
interview, do not ask about
salary and benefits until
there has been a basic
determination that you are
fit for the job.
Usually the interview will
tell you. Remember, if
you were sent to an
interview via a recruiter,
the recruiter has likely
told the company a basic
salary range for you. When
completing an employment
application, always be up
front about your current pay
situation. Never leave
the salary section blank.
Whether or not it is a
company’s business to know
your current or past pay,
all companies will require
this information. Not
giving this information to a
company or hiring manager
when asked will make you
appear untrusting,
especially if they ask you
and you argue why you do not
wish to disclose it.
Do not worry that disclosing
your current or past salary
will hurt your chances of
getting the pay you desire.
There is a proper point in
the hiring process to
negotiate pay and it is your
prerogative to ask for what
you want. GET THE JOB
FIRST, before making pay an
issue.
Choosing the wrong job to
interview for… Some
people interview at
companies to see what they
are worth, some for purposes
of touching up their
interview skills, the list
goes on… Remember that
a company will remember you
if you have wasted its time
and resources.
This may damage your chances
of getting a job at that
company in the future.
Be very clear on what type
of position you are looking
for and the reason behind
it. Do not interview
for the sake of interviewing.
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