In a word, interviewing for a job is tough. In fact to some
it can be downright intimidating and frustrating. The process can sometimes be
a long one. After the fact you are relieved the interview is over. You feel it
went well and you are optimistic. Then you get the call, or worse yet, no call
at all. If you do get the call and hear the dreaded, “We decided to go another
direction,” it can be disheartening. If you’ve never been disheartened in your
job search, congratulations. You are definitely in the minority.
The question becomes how can you avoid finding yourself in
this situation? If the truth is told, sometimes it is just not possible. There
are things beyond your control. Sometimes the employer has a candidate in mind
before you even cross their radar. Other times they do ‘decide to go another
direction’ and promote from within. Sometimes the job description just changes.
Sometimes it’s just not your fault.
The
trick is to not do things that might get you eliminated from the
competition. Getting the phone interview is half of the battle; getting to
the next round of interviews is another milestone. In no particular order,
below are ways you can sabotage yourself and knock yourself out of the
running. You may think these are just common sense ideas, and they are but
common sense can be fleeting these days, in the best intentioned
candidates.
- Not Researching
the Company and the Role: I’ve said it before but it is critical that you
research the company you will be interviewing with. Yes, the Industry
appears to be all the same but every company has their own culture and way
of doing things. If you want to show yourself to be onboard with their
philosophy, you will need to get a feel for how they operate. Know the key
executives, the company and their financials, as well as their product.
Look for legitimate news articles on the internet so you can be informed.
Be articulate about how you will fit in with the direction their company
is going as a key team player. - Coming
Across As Abrasive or Overly Confident. You can look stellar on paper but
if you come across as obnoxious it is a no-brainer that this is a huge
turn-off. Your resume can be perfection but if you are not a good culture
fit you won’t make the cut. Showcase yourself but do so in a humble
fashion. - Not
Being Able to Explain Employment Gaps. Let’s face it, in the industry it
is difficult not to have gaps woven within your resume. There may even be
instances when you are just not an ideal fit with a company and felt the
need to move on and cut your losses. Stay in good stead with former
employers and in contact with your peers. If you cannot do this, it could
spell trouble. Be prepared to explain the gaps, honestly. Others will be
able to empathize and understand, especially in the economy that we have
experienced. - Being
Inflexible – Saying, “I don’t want to move my family for my families’ sake
but would like to commute back and forth every two weeks,” may sound like
a fine plan to you but if the employer isn’t on board, this just won’t
fly. Stating you don’t want to do a certain part of the position the way
the company would like you to, will not earn points either. - Don’t
Say You want $15K More Than You Know They Can pay – Companies are on a
budget. If you ask for more than you know they are capable of paying, you
won’t get called back. A common sense idea is to do a Cost of Living
Analysis (Google Sperling’s) before you even go to the interview so you can
have an idea of where your salary needs to be. If you realize early on
that the salary range will not sustain you, there is no need to waste your
time or your prospective employer’s time. - You
Can’t Do the Skills on Your Resume –You will probably be found out, sooner
or later. Don’t say you’ve been a Sales Manager for 15 years if you
haven’t been one. - Not
Acting Excited About the Position and the Company – This is one that is
truly shudder worthy. It is not unheard of for a candidate to have an
amazing resume but the employer senses that the candidate would rather be
anywhere else but with the interviewer. Get ‘jacked up’ on your morning
Joe, before you go, take notes and listen intently. Be engaged in the
conversation. This prospective employer has graciously given their time to
talk with you because they ‘hope’ you will be a good fit. Show them the
respect they deserve. Also, remember to send that hand-written ‘thank you’
note, as well; also make sure your spelling is correct, too. - Bad
Mouthing Your Former Employer – This one is an absolute, OMG, don’t do it!
Do not come across as bitter about your past employers; it will taint you.
Use it as a learning experience. If you bad mouth a former employer, their
first thoughts are, “Wow, they’ll do it to me!” Just explain what you have
learned from the company and how it helped you in dealing with a certain
situation. Never say anything negative. If you do, and you are neck in
neck with another candidate, who do you think will come out on top when it
comes to hiring time?
Sometimes it is out of your control when you do not make it
to the first phone interview or the second level personal interview. It may be
all about the prospective employer and not you. Plans change, job descriptions
change, there are promotions from within, as well as budget cuts. It’s important to remember that if you have ever been
disheartened in your job search, take heart. You are certainly not alone.
Others have been there too. Hopefully these tips will help you.
Cathy L. Sage is President of Robert Sage Careers, LLC; an
Executive Search Firm and Job Board Publisher who specializes in the
Factory-Built Structures Industries. Cathy can be reached at [email protected]. 727/504-5350. For more information about the
company and to visit the job board, access
http://www.robersagecareers.com.
